The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-01-18
CHAPTER NN\I

CHAPTER MIMI.
What a shame cried Diana Knollys,
Indignantly.
She was standing in the station library,
idly turning over the leaves of the In
dian daily paper, while her father stood
chatting with Colonel Prinsep in the door
way.
What is it," asked the commissioner,
with an indulSent smile
For reply. the paper was thrust INTO
his hand, and daintily gloyed finger
pointed t. the column which had reused
her anger.
The article was headed Another
Helen" and dealt in haf-iesting, Who'll
Iy diSpara cing vein with the quarter
masters pretty daughter" who had
made such havoc in the regiment; turn
ing her attention first to a sergeant, then
as her position altered, to the Colonel
himself and in both cases with the dead
lest effect The writer went on to ob-
serve that il was surprising such a prob
able source Of information should have
been overlooked at the inquest Who SO
likely 10 be able to throw light upon the
darkness which enshrouded the fate of
her lover? From the days Of the heroine
of Troy until now a woman had been at
the bottom of every mystery, the motive
for every crime; and this Helen was. he
had heard. as fair as she who hud been
the cause of that memorable ten years
War-aud perhaps no less 10 blame.
Much more there was in the same
strain; but Colonel Prinsep. who was
reading over Mr.. Knollys' shoulder, NUT
tered such IA wrathful ejaculation that
the commissioner was startled.
En- he qUeried, testify, looking over
his god-rimmed glasses.
Il beg your pardon" said the Colonel.
but must agree with Miss Kuollys that
such lihels-or rather innuendoes. which
are worse for libel can be contradicted-
ought not To be allowed 10 be inserted in
any paper"
Il never did like the Indian Argus, nor
approve its views; but | must say |
think What do you say. Dr."
II am going To see Jane and take her
for a drive if she will come"
But, my dear. | am not sure that l
care about your being with q young lady
who has mad" herself so notorious
Or rather has been made so by cir
/ cumstances. No, papa. won't listen 10
word. You have always lei me have
my own way. and you are not going TO
/ thwart me now
And | don't think any one could do
anything but admire kind an act put
+ in the Colonel. more moved than he cared
/ - show. How good You are. | should
: like 10 thank Won rs Miss I[nox'S friend.
I only | have not the WordS-uor the right
, Ia DO 50, he said. in low. slammed voice,
/ as he led her 10 the carria-c
Then don't bother about thanking me
/ at all, she answered. brightly. Il as
/ sure you il is not goodness at all. only
! viciousuess Disguised"
! How so:" he questioned. smiling.
Il know who wrote that letter to the
Argus. and with what motive it was
( prnued. The writer hoped by that means
, =" make people lo,'t ~n<iS upon Jane.
i they would do. uf course. if all that he
( said was true. But mean to circumvent
/ him 10y showing that for one disbelieve
/ every word. and | faucy"-with Il proud
toss of her head. which Colonel Prinsep.
! being in utter unison with the sentiments
/ it expressed, thought infinitely becoming
y fancy some good will follow"
Il wish YOU would tell me who you
! think it was who wrote it, said the Col
onel iierceIy.
Think. There is not 4 doubt about it.
| am certain. Don't you remember what
( told You one night, ut your own dance,
that if Jane Knox refused Mr. Blount
he would be avenged"
( lis it he:"
"Of course it is" and Miss Knollys
! whipped her ponies into a sharp trot
Poor little Jane! Surely no one had
ever paid so dearly for the royal gift of
( beauty-no one had suffered so keenly
on account of her lovers.
When he went back into the reading
room. he found Mr.. Knollys seated by
the table with the paper spread in front
of him, perusinC il intently
The whole thing is in execrahle taste"
he said. as the Colonel entered; but I
should have given my opinion at the
time had | been here-I cannot HELM
/ thinking that the inquiry was hurried
4 over. and that little more trouble might
. have elected more information"
stephen Prinsep was ill-pleased at the
+. turn the conversation had taken. He
thought it had been settled once for all.
and well-niGh forgotten; but that letter
in the Argus. and Mr.. Knollys' evident
determination TO follow up the clew it
appeared to give, would endue the mat
ter with a new interest and give il n
fresh lease on life.
Leaving the library. ne walked back
4 toward the mess. bordering what could
he done To avert such an ANNOYANCE from
Jane. He guessed what a blow if had
already been L. her. and how she prob
I ably rcproached herself though unnec-
cSSarily-for having spoken as she would
: consider, harshly of him so shortly be
fore his death. What other reason could
/ there have been for her avoidance Of him
/, self on he day of the funeral and the
look almost of rcpugnance which She had
cast upon him. except that she associated
o. y1rF-h vi. ~, !, Il
position. she regretted:
pn his way he met Diana knollvs driv-
ing back alone
Jane would not come" she informed
hjm in mock-offended voice. then added
Seriou>ly-"pu You know, l believe She is
iretting about something. about this very
letter no doubt, for she looked so white
and worn | was quite shocked"
II dare say -ravely; 1T is enough to
! trouble any one. and she is so sensitive.
hur ! am sure She felt Your kindness.
I Miss kuoily>. and | hope'-with one of
his winning ~miies-''that Won won't he
discouraged hv 4 first fajruro. and that
yeH viii - and see her again"
"oa. YES, ! viii do thar certainly, She
cam always he 81 impractcahle. always
refuse answered Miss KnoDvs. hastily.
Wei. she had pledged herself 10 stand
'H "'.iS N inns 3NHC-UTc. and would not
=" trom her word. Besides she din not
believe thar, even if Jane proved ohdu-
r2te. Colonel Prin>ep would ever turn to
ler And she liked the girl for her own
. sake and wished her well.
-Somn women h4ve such luck" NUT
t"red Diana. rucfuily, thinking of how
lam" had once been a sergeant-mai or's
. DAUGHTER, and now might be a pceress
II She chose. or. which might be an even
brighter .a-c--for Miss Knoilys did NOT
lie Major Larron now-the wife 81
stephen rrinsep.
+ Meanwhile Colonel Prinsep walked
+ away slowly. his gaze bent downward:
. therefore il might have been uncoE-
sciously he passed the mess gates, and
went on toward the quartermasters
+ house
Diaaa's last words were ringing in his