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

been to blame. and she would, if she
loved him-as she had loved him without
doubt during that short, bright period of
their engagemeut-turn gladly to the pro-
lection Of his love. His name could
shield her from SO much that was dis
agreeable, the attendant gossip and ru-
mOrs that would follow upon the troop
er's death, more especially since that
article had appeared III the Argus. And
for his part. if every one turned against
and reyiled her, he would none the less
joyfully take 10 his arms the one love of
his life
As he turned into the compound he
met Mrs. Knox.
Il was just going out" she told him
when the usual greetings had been ex-
changed. But ! will turn back with
you. 1t was nothing of Importance, and
am sule it was very kind of you to
call; we have been dreary enough lately
1T was your daughter | came especial
~ 10 see. Will you let me go and speak
to her alone:"
She looked up inquiringly into his face,
and he smiled somewhat sadly in reply
Yes. | have come 10 ask her again to
be my wife but whether l have chance
or not | cannot say"
"She loves you, | am sure" asserted
Mrs. Knox: but she did not speak so hope
fully Is she might have done on such an
occasion six months ago.
Excited AT the prospects which re-
opened out before her daughter, though
at the same time sorrowfully convinced
that their brilliaucy would be displayed
in vain. Mrs. Knox hurried ON. ana the
Colonel was free TO pursue his course I'M
hndered.
The front windows of the bungalow
were open. and at one of them Jane stood
looking out; but directly she saw him
she skunk back. and when he entered
the room h" found her at the furtherest
end of it with the handle of the door in
her hand. rs though about to lice.
Jenny, Jenny, what is it that has
come between rs that you would avoid
me sot' he cried. staying some distance
off lost she should escape him altogether
She leaned against the door, and her
face was hidden from his gaze. Only
conyulSive movement of her shoulders
showed him She had heard what he had
said.
Are you afraid of me-" he asked. gen
tly. surely not You know that my
feelings have never altered-that | love
day | asked you to be my wife. You are
bound by no promise now; YOU are free
at last
"Oh, hush. hush"' she moaned
''What is there to prevent me pleading
my cause again."
She turned TO him so white and horror
struck an expression that involuntarily
he quailed before her glance
You can ask that"
WHY not? You loved me once" he be
gan.
DO YOU think do not remember that
would be still alive"
Il think You eXaggerate," he remon-
stratcd in his quiet voice. which insen-
-is.lr soothvd her excitement; his dcatn
was an accident, and though we may
both regret il, | for one cannot be so I'M
selfish as TO ignore the fact that il makes
possible what you declared impossible be-
fore-our marriage, Jenny"
"Over his grave
Il do not understand" he said. hope
lrssly. You must"
Il know all!' she interrupted him.
meaningly
For "A moment or two neither of them
spoke. Jane, frightened at her own bold
ness, stood before him with downcast
eyes and trembling lips. and Colonel
Prinsep, more than ever bewildered
grew angry as well. Nothing. he thought
could justify her conduct She had al
ways been inclined to trifle with his love
bringing forward first one, and then an
other excuse to prevent their marriage
Now, when at last he might reasonably
suppose his probation TO be at an end
a fresh obstacle interviewed, mysterious
shadowy, and apparently not to be ex-
planned. His first impulse was to leave
and never seek her again; but, as what
was meant for a farewell glance fell up-
on her lovely. troubled face and swaying.
willowly form he relentcd. and was once
more under the potent spell of her beauty,
ready to serve twice seven years if only
he might win her so.
Listen TO me, Jenny he pleaded.
earnestly. Il have loved you so well. and
with so little thought of self. that surely
| deserve a hearing; and if there is any
act of mine you have misinterpreted. it
Is only fair you should let me justify my
self if can"
She looked into his face with such evi-
dent dread of what it was that he would
say that for an instant he was discom-
posed
Then. as she averted her gaze, he went
on gravely:
AT the same moment | first realized
my love for you | almost simultaneously
discovered that you were already en-
gagged, and | accepted my fate-Sorrow-
fully. it is true but with no hope of alter
ing it. If l impiored You to think seri-
ously before definitely fulfilling the prom
i>e YOU had made. it was. heaven knows.
with no Interior motive. but from wish
70 secure YOUR happiness. which valued
more than my own. Afterward. because
| heard - much against Sergeant LYNN.
and | myself proved some al least of the
reports were true, | went 10 You once
more. because ! loved you 50 dearly. and
dared to think that you loved me Be
love me. II was not because Of the mans
position. nor With the idea of tompring
You from him with the ADVANTAGES |
could offer. if he had been worthy of you
! would have been content To see YOU his
wife. II he had been even lower i'm the
socla! scale. Ii was the knowledge of orr
mutual love. and the wretched existence
You would lead if You married him. that
made me seek YOU then. You wrote to
Sergeant Lynn at my instigation. throw
ing yourself upon his generosity"
Do not let US speak Of that" inter
poIated Jane, coldly; and it chilled him
even more to discover thar she still wore
the big silver ring upon her finger. though
the presnmable =iver of it was dead
pispasSiouarely as he had spoken. she
had NOT been able To hear unmoved the
story of that time-rold. too. by him: but
aN his words recalled the deceit which
had been pTacticed on her. al the Scorn
she had felt before revived: and more
than ever II appeared possible he might
he guilty, too, of the death Of Jacob Lynn.
Her GOODNESS communicated itself 10
him.
Il have no wish 10 say anything that
will pain YOU. | viii Not deny that was
10 blame then. though perhaps not so
deeply rs You think Should You ever feel
curious 10 know how il happened. your
mother viii tell yon the true story
Il am not curious" sighed Jane
She would have given much to have
known nothing that could make Stephen
Prinsep the less hero in her eyes than
h. was At first. Some sins might have