The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-12-26
CHAPTER NNNII.-Continued)

NII.AJ : @A<N
They were not in the vcranda when he
sycnt out. and he strollcd further away I"
where he knew some seats had been
placed. Even then he did not see them:
it was James voice which betrayed their
presence AT the other side OF Il tent, near
which he was standing.
How can You say such cruel THINGS
and so untrue." she was saying. i'll eN-
cited Indignation.
Il fancy the cruelty lies in the truth
Of the accusations" answered Jack Blount,
cuttinyly: and the listener could no
longer doubt that Diana knoilys had
been correct in her estimate OF IN" man
and his power OF being disagrccablc.
'"Thcy said YOU were Il fiirt. Only Il few
months ago you Tilted Colonel l'rinscp-
the fellows told me thai N mess tonight
-and-now-"
He stopped suddenly rs Colonel Prinsop
himself stood before them.
"Pcrhaps | am tho best person 10 rcfuto
that calumny." he said. quietly, but with
q; roprcsScd passion in his tones. that
Jane, knowing him SO well, easily de
tcctcd. ''rhat Miss Knox gave M up
was my own faults: J have never had III"
slightest reason to rcproach her.
"Of curse if YOU say so" began Ar.
Blount. ungraciousiy.
Il do say SO. and must beg that here
Mt least you will not refer again 10 the
subject on which You have received such
inaccurate information"
With Il malicious scowl darkeninC
Blount's face he turned upon his heel and
left.
The witchory Of the time and place had
cast its powerful spell over stephen I'rin-
sep. Gradually as she spoke he forgot
everything except that she had been his
love. The moonhcams fell upon her un-
covered hcad and upon her lovely up
turned face as she pleaded her cXtcnua-
ton.
as it your fault you are so fair? Even
that dolt could not be blind 10 your sweet
beauty" he exclaimed, p~&ssionarcly, and
would have said more only thar she
shrunk from him trembling.
As she turned away. hashful, yet SO
glad. so rapturouSly glad TO know he
loved her still. she encountered the stony
gaze Of Jacob Lynn. lie was hidden he
hind some trees close by. and must have
heard what they had said. \ Sudden
fear assailed her lest. in his jealousy. he
should come forWard and do some dos
peratc deed that would ruin him forever.
Even if the Colonel knew of his presence
there il might be serious for him.
Colonel Prinscp jlen led her back TO
the ballroom in grave silence, anGry with
himself that he had kept truc 10 what
with her had evidently been only an
evaucscent feeling. yet unable TO steel
his heart against her.
Barry Larron sauntcrcd up 20 them as
they stood together in the ballroom.
"They are waiting for YOU. Colonel. To
lead the way in to supper. Miss Knox. 1
think you promised TO so with me-"
Startled at his voice Jane withdrew her
face from the grateful c~oolncss of the
flowers and wondered why. as she did so.
he looked at her SO strangely.
Colonel I'rinscp bowed and left her.
Then Major Larron spoke his thoughts.
You canno think how it has pleased
me that YOU have deigned to wear my
flowers" he said.
Your flowers! Was it you VINO sent
them"
'Who else? hope You did not choose
them under Il false IMPRESSION"
'i-oh. no, ! never thouGht-'
DisregardiuG her confusion. as he had
~disrcgardcd the quick movement which
she Ind made TO cast The flowers from
her when he claimed TO he the sender,
Barry Larron had remained silent. When
lie SpoL" again ii was as though impellcd
by a feeling stronger than his judgment.
Miss !\noN, | wish | were your brother,
or some one that you could trust 10 ad-
wise you well.
do You think that am in need Of add
wee:
! 90. VIII You promise not to be Of
ltldcU II ! speak.