The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-12-21

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my soul | will try 10 amend if only to
spare you grief And, Jenny, promise
me something, too-promise me that you
VIII not marry until"
Then so long as you wish me not to
marry L will not" she substituted, meek
Iy; and lifted her eyes to him so full of
tenderest compassion that looking into
them, he could not but believe she would
hold to what she said, even though his
doubts might return when removed from
her presence.
Tell me you forgive me-" she whis-
pered, as she turned to 90.
Il do forgive you; and, Jenny, think of
me, too, as kindly as you can"
lie grasped her hands so tightly that
she nearly cried out. His eyes were fixed
upon her intently, as though wishing TO
keep her always so in mind-beautiful in
her womanly sorrow, and thinking only
of him.
For a moment he stood so. then with n
deep sigh released her, and strobe away.
his head raised defiantly. and cutting at
the heads of the tall grasses with his
whip as he went.
When she went in she met her mother
in the hall.
Jenny, there are some flowers come
for you. Those young men spoil you,
that's a fact"
You know il pleases you far more than
it does me- she said, smiling.
Il believe it does. You take it so quiet
ly that one might think you had been ac-
customed to ii all your life. Why, child.
you have been crying-what about? p
bringing her keen eyes TO bear upon her
daughters tear-stained face. ITS not
about the CoIonel?" she added. quickly.
No, no. Is it likely, when he cares so
little for Uplifting her head proudly.
Perhaps for that very reason" thought
Mrs. Knox, shrewdly; but she would not
vex Jane by saying so aloud. Come and
see your flowers" she said, instead; "and
don't cry any more Jenny, or | shall be
disappointed of seeing my daughter the
acknowledged beauty of the ball. Re
member, have never participated in any
of your triumphs yet"
Then | will look my best for your sake;
but'-looking down inditferentlv at the
creamy blossoms lying in their bed of
green-"you must have these roses.
mother. they will enliven your black
dress, and | shall wear those Mr.. Graene
sent me-"
And in spite Of all circumstances she
carried her point, and Jack Blount's vel
low roses. which he had taken so much
trouble to beg. buy and steal from differ
ent places IN the station. instead of max
ing lOvelier still the lovely face and fig
ure for which they were intended. adorned
the cheap black silk lace cap of Mrs.
Knox.
But after all Jane never wore Valentine
Graeme's flowers. Just as she had gone
to her room to dress. the ayah came in
carrying a large basket
Jane drew away the ferns that Law
across the top, and discovered a bouduet
beautifully arranged. with some flowers
lying loose for her gown and hair. They
were all white, with only delicate maiden
hair ferns and their own leaves TO lend n
tinge of color.
Whence they had come remained a mys-
terry. The man who had brought them
had left at once. only saying that they
were for the Miss Sahib." and as he
was a coolie and not liy"ricd servant it
was impossible to guess by whom they
had been sent
Mrs. Knox was called in to give her
views on the subject, but could throw no
light upon it. and the quartermas ter
proved equally bad at guessing.
Father" asked Jane. abruptly, have
you heard anything of Jacob Lynn"
He came i'll to-day with the rest of the
men from the Hill depot. The change of
air has not done much for him: he was
looking wretchcdly bad, | thought"
"Does-does he drink stilI?"
The quartcrmaster looked grave. He
had had hopes of him at first; but latter
ly, for he had made a point of inquring,
the accounts were very bad.
Il am afraid it is all up with himr' he
said, at last. He has been reduced 10 n
private, you know. since he left Alipore,
and now, having less TO lose, will grow
reckless | fear
Cant we do anything for him? Don't
you think if we had him here"
Here! cried the quarterm&ster, en-
ragged at the idea. If l catch him here,
I'll break every bone in his body What
business had he to 90 counting you when
he knew he was no fit husband for any
girl. For the matter of that, | ought to
have known it myself. He comes of n
bad breed, and he had got into bad habits
long before | suspected anything. As is
always the case, the ore most interested
is last to hear the news"
The subject was dropped and Jane was
left at leisure TO pursue other and more
pleasurable thoughts. In her own mind
she had decided that the lovely flowers
which had come last and were exactly
what she herself would have chosen
could have come from none other than
Stephen Prinsep.