Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-12-04
CHAPTER XIV.

usual visits round the regimental instltu
tions on the following morning wher
looking in at the library, he saw a man
stretched on one of the benches fast
asleep.
Stepping forward, he saw, as he shook
him somewhat roughly by the arm, the
triple chevron upon his sleeve; and as
the man thus suddenly reused stumbled
clumsily on to his feet, the Colonel idend'
fed him as Sergeant Lynn. His whole
appearance showed without doubt that he
was recovering from a fit of-drunkenness
perhaps of some duration.
The Colonel gazed at him sternly, ns,
having recognized his commanding otfi-
Ger, he saluted, and stood shamefacedly
before him.
Sergeant Lynn, it seems that the re-
ports of your intemperance which reached
Inc We're not unfounded. Had you been
wanted for duty last night you would
have been found incapable"
The Sergeant's head dropped still low kr.
YES. sir did take more than l ought.
can't help it. Things have been against
me lately, and l am driven to drink u
times"
What do you mean? Up to now
have promoted you as far was i'll my
power"
'Promotionr' repeated Lynn. with an
imbecile laugh. "What good is promotion
To me unless you could give me q com
mission? And even then l dare say shs
would not have me-"
Il should say not, if she saw you in
your present condition. You don't mean
to say that n woman is the cause of youi
drinkinGt" asked the Colonel, contemp
tuouSly.
Cause enough" he answered, doGged-
". "only three days ago she repeated
her promise to marry me: and last night
at the s,.rgrants' mess it was common
talk that the Adjutant WAS always at her
house. and WAS said to be engaged te
her"
..You talk like n fool. Sergeant Lynn.
/ would advise you to follow n steadier,
more manly course, and not offer such
childish reasons as n cause for running
your whole career. and for the present
Sergeant Lynn. withhold my permission
for you to marry" he added. sharply.
..Ah sir. | thought it would come te
that when you knew whom l was asking
fort said the Sergeant, with a rebelliOut
look.
II don't know whom you want to marry
nor do l care"
And the Colonel, now seriously dis
plea sed, turned to leave the library.
81 beg your pardon. sir. 1t Ii the Quar-
termaster's daughter"
What Quarterma ster's daughter 2
cried the Colonel. in a voice of thunder
"Jane Knox, sir
At this familiar mention of the name
borne by the girl he loved, Stephen Prin
sep only refrained by an effort from re-
yenging the insult with a blow. The
recollection that he was Colonel and thi'
braggart n sergeant i'll his regiment KEEP
the impulse in subjection.
II 10 his
and before he turned into the carriage
drive he heard n noise behind him, ant
turning mechanically. he saw it was the
Quartermaster riii after him.
Il wanted to speak to you, SIR hs
announced a little breathlessly, as h1
trotted up.
The Colonel started. Could it be thai
he was to hear the solution of this mys
terry now? Not urgent-not on mill
tary matter, or what should prevent iti
being discussed in the orderly-room
Only one conclusion remained-it must be
on some private affair." and just then al
private affairs seemed to the Colonel b
point to Jane.
Come in and have a peg" he said
somewhat shortly, and cantered on TO
ward the bungalow.
After hasty draught of iced water
Colonel Prinsep had thrown himself bach
in an easy chair, and sat waiting for the
Quartermaster to speak again. He want
ed to hear what he had to say. yet, afraid
Of appearing inconsistent. hesitated tf
ask outright.
"What is this affair of which you wish
ed to speak to me, KnoxT" the Colone
asked abruptly.
"It is nothing of actual Importance
sir, yet 1 think you ought to hear it frs
from us. Jenny thought So"
Miss Knox thought ought to know 2
"Yes; she said you would have reason
to be offended if Sergeant Lynn spok'
to you on the subject first"
"Out with 1t, man. What is this might!
matter?" cried the Colonel, sharply. as hi
leaned forward In his chair as thougl
to forestall the answer. This suspens
WAS horrible. Yet the denouement nigh
be worse.
"You see she is engaged to him."
''Then it is trueT
"Yes, 1t Is true"
"Good heavens, it is sacrilcgew ejac
nlated Colonel Prinsep, fercely.
The Quartermaster passed his finger
through his hair in some bewilderment.
His eyes followed the Colonel as h
impatiently paced the room. and he wa
still pondering n reply when his COIN
manding officer spoke agin.
you must stop il Knox; You must sto
It on any plea he declared, earnestly.
A new discovery broke suddenly upo
the Quartermaster. This agitation of tn
Colonel, coupled with the indispositio
he had pleaded a short time before, coul
only point to the one conclusion, and h
would not have been human had he no
felt gratified at the knowledge that hi
daughter had won the love of such n ma
as Stephen Prnsep. Independent of hi
rank and station. For moment he eve
regretted that she had already bound hcI
self. ard then felt little shame at tn
worIdliness of his ideas. which gave
certain stiffness to his reply
~ have already given my consent. an
! honor my daughter for her faithful
ness"
And" continued the Colonel, sis Ser
Geant Lynn-mind, l say nothing agains
him; you are probably a better judge o
his character than but, l repeat, Is h
the sort of husband you would hav'
chosen for your daughter!
~ have promised" stammered tn
Quartermaster, after a few moments rs
ton.
The Colonel then shook hands with hi
visitor "a he started to 80. aRd eyep &C