Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-11-28
. CHAPTER XIX.

and sat throughout the service with her
eyes fixed upon her book. A faint, fugi-
tive color fitted across her face as she
heard gay jingling of spurs and the
clanking of swords on the stone floor,
and by sudden silence, after a short
confusion, knew that the regiment had
come in and fallen into their places close
behind where she was sitting But she
never looked up, though once she felt
that some one was gazing at her by the
strange consciousness that came over her.
She heard some of the voices raised for
the responses, and I'm the hymns; but the
voice that she listened for SO hungrily
she could not distinguish.
The KnOXes sat near the door, and con-
sequently were among the first to leave
church after the service was ended. Only
one lady was before them, and as she
turned aside, to wait for some one who
was still inside, Jane saw that it was the
commissioners daughter.
A sharp pang smote her as she saw all
the reports she had heard Of her rival
confirmed.
Diana Knollys on. her side felt reas-
sured. The girl whose influence she had
instinctively feared was fair beyond all
doubt, but so pale and expressionless,
and apparently quite incapable of max
ing the most of the charms that she pos
sessed. But the glimpses that Colonel
Prinsep had caught of the small, sweet
face which used to- be 80 bright with
glowing health, and was now so pitiably
white, had confirmed him, in his already
half-formed purpose He would see Jane
and plead with her again, not from the,
cold standing of disinterested friendship,
but as lover who would fain win her
favor for himself.
He waited till the afternoon, and having,
seen from his veranda Mr. and Mrs. Knox
drive past to the second service, he took
up his hat and walked quickly in. the
direction of their bungalow
1t was very hot that day, and all the,
windows and the doors were open. while
through the futtering curtains he could
see Jane asleep on a sofa at the further
end of the ROOM After a momentary
hesitation, he entered and stood beside
her.
The intensity of his gaze seemed to- dis
turb her uneasy slumbers. She opened
her eyes, and seeing him so suddenly, for
got the barrier between them, starting up,
with little cry, a sweet smile lighting I'D
her face He might have taken her in a
close embrace and kissed her into further
forgetfulness, only that he would not take
advantage of the momentary confusion
of thought. He would MT surprise her
into surrender; she should. come to him
deliberately, after due consideration. or
not at all. aG,%c
MY poor little loweH' broke from him
softly. -''-
AS he spoke;s remembrance came upon
her like blow She could only cover her
face with her hands and cry silently, and
he stood still waiting patiently till she
should recover, not daring to, attempt any
consolation lest he should say too much.
Presently she looked up and tried brave
ly to SMILE
Il did not know that could have been
so stupid, but you startled me. had
fallen asleep-with the heat-and-"
Il ought not to have come as I did. >,
finished Colonel Prinsep, gravely. II
came through the window like a thief"
Then he, too, stopped short, recollecting
what it was he would like to steal. not tho
quartermaster's "dueats," but his "daugh-
ter II.
"You want to see nay father?" asked
Jane, rising.
Il want to see yourself -only."
At the meaning tome, she gave one
startled glance into his face; then sunk
back again on to the sofa.
'Me" she echoed, family.
Jenny, every man has one trv for his
life, and there is more than mere life ut
stake with me now. IF lose Won. there
is nothing in existence that can console
me. Can you wonder that come to plead
my eause?"
He knelt down beside her, but carefully
refrained from touching even the hem of
her white gown. He only looked earnest
ly into her face, and repeated what he had
told her.
II love you, Jenny! Isthere no hopeY'
With tremulous voice she replied: 81
am promised to another,
IF you loved me, you would not hest
tate in your choice"
She looked at him passionately. as
though about to speak, then checked her
self, and after moment, during which
he was waiting for her to reply, she went
and stood beside the open window.
You have done enough to vindicate
your woman's honor-show a little wo-
manly weakness now" he whispered.
after awhile. II think you love me.
Jenny. For my sake make a sacrifice of
PRIDE"
Il will write and tell him all,'' she ex
claimed, impulsively. ST will write now
Moving hurriedly across the room. she
knelt down beside the writing-desk and
took out some materials Colonel Prin-
sep, remaining where he was, listened In
tently to her pen as it passed RAPIDLY
over the paper, knowing that eyery word
she wrote was bringing her nearer to him.
Already he felt the certainty of triumph.
yet would not forestall the sweets of his
success. Even when she closed the let
ter and placed it in his hand, he only
thanked her with his eyes.
Shall ! give it to him MYSELF" he
asked her, touching the'aetter.