The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-11-16
CHAPTER XVII.

ment, Jane could without susplclon' III
dulge her own hearts grief.
The funeral in accordance with the
wish that had been generally expressed
took place at Alipore; and Jane, standlhs
at the window, watched the procession
pass. through a mist of sympathetic
tears.
Jane had written a few lines to Mrs.
Dene. not attempting to condole win neT'
but only to tell her how she felt Tor her
sorrow and few days after the 1unerai
she received note begging her 10 go ana
see her.
The meeting was naturally PAINFUL
one, both remembering how and where
they had been last together, but the
widow was the more composed OF the TWO
and could but see that something else
was grieving Jane beside simple greet 1or
her
You have been in trouble yourself,
Jane: can't You tell me what it is
And only too glad to pour out all her
woes into such a sympathetic ear, Jane
told the whole story.
but. Jenny" Mrs. Dene said, tenderly,
you knew of this when we were at
Cawnpore together, yet it did not seem TO
grieve you then"
Il scarcely realized it, sobbed Jane.
And something since has opened your
eyes to what it IS you stand committed
y"
Jane bowed her head.
May | guess what it is?' whispered
Mrs. Dene. You love some one now,
and know what you are giving up-am |
right. Jenny"
Again lane bowed her head-this time
to hide the vivid bushes which suffused
her face
And does he love you?"
''Perhaps; l thought so, and yet
yet
She broke down in utter confusion. She
could not explain what she thought even
to the friend she loved so well.
Mrs. Dene remained for awhile in puz-
zled silence; she wanted to help the girl,
but could not tell how.
Il DO not wish TO force your confidence"
she said at length; but something was
told me once, and | was wondering
whether l ought To tell it to you"
Not anything against Jacob Lynn 2"
sharply.
My dear, how should know anything
about him. with a little gentle scorn
that showed Jane perhaps more clearly
than anything else could what a gulf
would divide her from all her new friends
should sltn marry the man to whom she
was bctrothcd
Il beg your pardon" she said, humbly.
Mrs. Dcne went on as though nothing
had occurred TO interrupt.
Il certainly should have let it reach
YOU through-throught the proper channel,
,y,.ly that NOW tho knowledge of il might
influence your decision and otherwise it
might come too late; | don't know if you
are ambitious, Jane, but, if you liked.
You might some day be Lady Larron-
more"
Lady Lurronmore" echoed the girl.
surprised, for the name conveyed moth
iug to her mind
1t Is the title 10 which Major Larron
will succeed; and he wishes-I know, for
he told me-to win you as his wife"
Ne" said Jane, openedeyed and
breathess.
Yes. YOU" answered Mrs Dene with
Il faint smile that showed how sad the
expression of her lips had been before.
You are quite Il heroine of romance.
Jenny: surely no woman had ever such a
choice Of positions. You might be a
queen Of society, Or" She stopped a
little awkwardly.
"Or a soldiers wife in barracks" con
Guided lane quietly.
Il have no right to ask you if YOU care
for Major Larron," Went Cd Mrs Deue.
Il only thought you ought to know he
cared for you.
1t has made no difference" said Jane:
hut ! thank You all the same for the
intended kindness. No. | don't even like
Major Larrou; and | dare say he has
changed his mind, too, since he spoke to
you. for he has never said word could
construe into anything of the sort"
To Mrs. Dene it was evident that the
girl had spoken the truth, yet who could
it be that she loved and was thinking
about now. if her bushes were to be be-
lioved? Not Valentine Graeme surely
he was too young, too frivolous 10 in
spre such a tender passion: nor Colonel
PrinSep-why, how blind she had been
of course. it must he he. Lately nor
thoughts had been so much with HERSELF
and her own affairs, that she had for
gotten the fancy which Jane had ALWAYS
so artlessly shown for the eligible bach
eor colonel. Now it returned TO bar in
full force and she understood thar tho
fancy had become n love as ardent a. if
was ll-adviscd-what she had oIwave
feared for her protege had unhappiIv
come to pass. for that Stephen Prinsen
returned the girls affection she couId nor
credit.
My poor child, it is all very hard on
YOU" she said, presently, thinking that
now she knew all, she could understand
the struggle that was going on in James
mind between hopeless love and an en-
gaGement that promised to be more hone
less still.
1t is very hard" sighed Jane. NV
mother IS of course against nv marry
Ing back into the position which she
thought we had left behind us forever.
and even my father, l think. is disap-
pointed, though he is SO good he will NOT
say 50. Yet | know | am right. You
think 50, too. don you|' longing for some
one 70 uphold her in her resolution.
Mrs Dene hesitated afraid Of giving
her the wrong advice.
If You loved him" she answered at
last. 4 should counsel you to hold to your
word At all hazards"
Il do not love him. replied Jane, in n
low. ashamed voice. feeling that il was
the saddeSt confession she could make
for was he not the man that she was
pledged To marry:
hen do not marry him, Jenny"
You forget that he loves me. and
though il must have been in momentarv
madness. | promised of my own free will
Il he had been rich or in a good position
might not have felt 50 bound: but he is
poor and almost friendless. He has moth
ing but me.
Perhaps you are right. only hope il
viii turn out 10 be the hest. hu- 7 shall