Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-02-19

"What q shame! cried Diana knOlya
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 indulgent smile.
For reply, the paper was thrust into
his hand, and a daintily gloved finger
pointed to the column which had reused
her anger.
The article was headed Another
Helen" and dealt In half -jesting. who'll
ly disparaging vein with the quarter
masters "pretty daughter" who had
made such havoc in the regiment; turn
ing her attention first to a sergeant. then
a. her position altered, to the Colonel
himself, and in both cases with the dead
liest effect. The writer went on to OBJ
serve that it was surprising such prob
able source of information should have
been overlooked at the inquest. Who SO
likely to 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 q woman had been at
the bottom of every mystery, the motive
for every crime; and this Helen was, he
the cause of that memorable ten years
var-and perhaps no less to blame.
Much more there was in the same
strain; but Colonel Prinsep, who was
reading over Mr.. Knollys' shoulder, NUT
tered such a wrathful ejaculation that
the commissioner was startled.
"Eh?" he Queried, testify, looking over
bis gold-rimmed glasses.
Il beg your pardon" said the Colonel
''but l must agree with Miss Knollys that
such libels-or rather innuendoes, which
are worse, for libel can be contradicted-
ought not to be allowed to be inserted in
any paper"
II never did like the Indian Argus, nor
approve its views; but l must say ]
think What do you say, Di!"
Il am going to see Jane and take her
for drive if she will come"
But, my dear, l am not sure that
care about your being with a young lady
who has made herself SO notorious"
''Or rather has been made SO by cir
cumstances. No. papa, l won't listen to
q word. You have always let me have
my own way. and you are not going to
thwart me now"
"And I don't think any one could do
anything but admire so kind an act" put
in the Colonel, more moved than he cared
to show. "How good you are! l should
like to thank you as Miss Knox's friend,
only have not the words-nor the right
to do So" he said, in low, shamed voice,
as he led her to the carriage.
Then don't bother about thanking me
at ALL" she answered, brightly. Il as
sure you it is not goodness at all, only
viciousness disguised"
How soT" he questioned, smiling.
vvh hn thaf IN IA
Argus, and with what motive it was
penned. The writer hoped by that means
to make people look shyly upon Jane. as
they would do. of course, If all that he
said was true. But mean TO circumvent
him by showing that for one disbelieve
every word, and l fancy"-with a proud
toss of her head, which Colonel Prinsep,
being in utter unison with the sentiments
1t expressed, thought infinitely becoming
III fancy some good will follow
81 wish you would tell me who you
think it was who wrote it!" said the Col
onel, fercely.
''Think! There is not doubt about it
am certain. Don't you remember what
tod you one night, at your own dance.
that if Jane Knox refused Mr.. Blounf
he would be avenged?"
''Is it he!'
"Of course it Isl" and Miss KnolIys
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, perusing it intently.
"The whole thing is in execrable taste,".
be said, as the Colonel entered; ''but
should have given my opinion at the
time had 1 been here-I cannot help
thinking that the inquiry was hurried
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
determination to follow up the cleW it
appeared to give, would endue the mat
ter with a new interest and give 1t q
fresh lease on life.
Leaving the library. he walked back
toward the mess, pOndering what could
be done to avert such an annoyance from
Jane. He guessed what a blow Il had
already been to her, and how she prob
ably reprOached herself-though unnec-
essarily-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 the day of the funeral, and the
look almost of repugnance which she had
cast upon him, except that she associated |
him with what, in her gentleness of dis.
position, she regretted?
On his way he met Diana Knollys driv.
ng back alone.
"Jane would not come" she informed
him in a mock-offended voice, then added
seriously-"Do you know, believe she is
fretting about something, about this very
letter, no doubt, for she looked SO white
and worn l was quite shocked"
Il dare say"-gravely; lit is enough to
trouble any one, and she is 30 sensitive.
But 1 am sure she felt your kindness,
Miss Knollys, and 1 hope"-with one of
his winning smiles-"that yon wont be
discouraged by first failure. and that
you Will go and see her again"
oh, yes, l will do that certainly She
can't always be so impracticable, always
refuse, answered Miss Knollys, hastily.
Well, she had pledged herself to stand
ny Jane at this juncture. and would not
go from her word. Besides, she did net
believe that, even if Jane proved obdu.
rate, Colonel Prinsep would ever turn to
her. And she liked the girl for her owp
sake and wished her well.
Some women have such luckr NUT