Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-03-25
CHAPTER NJ.
VOL. L..

CHATTER MI
Colonel Grey's suit had hitherto GER
tainly not met with the success II de-
served. Even he, stolid and impresnabie
to rebuffs as he had seemed, was begin
ming to fear that his perseverance waf
misapplied.
"Colonel Grey has been here lie has
done you the honor of asking your hand.
DIANA" Mr.. Knolys said to his daugh-
ter. earnestly, one day.
An honor which l respectfully beg TO
decline, though OF course alive to the ire
Inendous advnntage ges of such 4 marriage,
she returned, with a sweeping courtesy.
Don't talk nonsense, Di. Whom do
you intend to marry"
why, really papa" she began; bui
he stopped her sharply and went on:
You are twenty-hye-
'Twenty-six and bit" she admitted,
candidly, interrupting him in her turn.
THE more reason you should be think
fng of settling down. l can tell you that
Ia this country men begin to fight shy
of q girl who at your age is stingie STILL
Diana was speechless with hauShtiest
surprise. Was her father going TO be the
first to turn renegade from the creed that
he had taught her?
You would rather | made mesal-
lance than not marry ct all?' she ques.
toned, blankly.
Tut, tut There is no question of a
mesalliance in this case. | should never
lie ashamed of Colonel Grey if he were
my scn-iu-law."
Would you be proud?" she asked. look
ing searchngly into his face. And
should | be proud of acknowledging a
Parish doctor as my father-in-law! Papa,
you can't be contemplating such match
In earEestr'
His sister is Lady St. Maur. His
cousin is the celebrated .. c.. and lie has
interest at the Horse Guards"
IF he were very rich / could under.
stand it," went on Diana, thoughtfully.
He is not so good match in point OF
money as Mr.. GraeIne, of course; bu'
still"
His daughter confronted him pale and
trembling.
DO you mean, papa, that you could
ever forget his connection with trade.
that you would allow me TO marry Mr.
Graeme even-even if | wished 1t, and
and he wished it. too:
MY dear, should be only too pleased.
replied the Commissioner, fumblins
among his papers, as though politely TO
Imply that just then he could better bear
her absence than her presence. But So
long a silence ensued that he fixed his
slasses on his nose and looked thrc Ugh
them at his daughter.
She was blushing like a rose, Mt the
thoughts that were passing through her
mind: but Mr.. Knollys funcied it was
wounded pride that had sent the color to
her cheek, and FASTENED to make his
meaning clear.
IT don't deny, Diana, that l was very
ambitious for you at first AT twenty
fFfrln nph A.
your moor mother died, you remember!
you were the loveliest girl l had ever
sean-no position seemed TO me then
higher than you had right to hll-the
divine right of beauty, my dear. You
arc handsome still, but not as you wec"
ak years ago. You are older now, or
course: and somehow you have never
been a great favorite with men. Forgive
nv plain speaking, Di.
ssI dare say you are only cruel to be
hind {" she answered, quickly, too proud
10 let him see how hurt she was. II
won't keep you from your work. papa
She did not put into words the thought
chat crept into her mind with insidious
.veetness. vet with little sadness, that
N her father had ceased to expect great
ebinps for her, she need not certainly
Immolate herself on the shrine OF ambi-
tion Ever since she had first discovered
Eh.t .ba then considered her mad lovo
o. tho son of the Scotch brewer, she had
.triven hard to stamp it out, or ut least
to live it down. She had never allowed
herself to dwell on the happiness such
iove might have been, IL he returned 1t.
Scarcely had she asked herself whether
ke could ever cnre for her or not: she had
-. striven to throw him and Jane
Knox together whenever IL "aS poe'io'eS
n
Sha vent to Mrs. Dene's that same
r,orn;ne. and found Val Graeme there as
X. generally was. Jane was there, too,
iootine pale and tired, but she went to
ms.t Diana with a welcoming smile.
att IA three whole days since you have
hoen here" she eaid, reproachfully
SCome round the garden for chat
she nodded somewhat cavalier!y to tho
Soung fellow, who was on his knees
mending her tennis bat as she ieft the
room.
ntee." she called out cheerfully over her
shoulder.
Diana. who scarcely looked mp when
NJ Graeme greeted her, only including
h;u In a genial show do" felt angry
With Jane, then inconsequently pleased.
Perhaps it was only SO, by her indifer-
snce- that he might look elsewhere for mp
probation.
II was a humiliating admission, never
theless. she was obliged to confess to her
self. that she would have no chance
against the Quartermaster's daughter
we're any rivalry to be between them.
II was strange what fascination that
pirl had for such widely different ma
snres and she pleased without effort,
even against her will. She had thwarted
Diana's attempt to make mercenary
marriage with the two eligibles In the
n tion. the Hon. Barry Larron and Ste
nben Prinsep-was she to spoil her love,
too? 1t was with a jealous infection IN
her tones that she said presently:
"I am afraid 1 interrupted your tete-a
tete." -
"a tete-a-tete that bade fair to last all
s.~n-with a rebellious pout. "He came
% orenKrRst, and then Mrs. Dene was
very busy, 30 left me to entertain him. ]
was very glad indeed you came."
'Is that true?"
Eyes, Of course. Why, you don't
think" Jane stopped short, meeting
the others searching glance. She knew
she was being cross-questioned, but for
one moment did not quite see for what
object. az
"Jane," asked Diana, solemnly, dc
you mean to marry Mr.. Graeme"
az? No. What an idea!'-with the
Ghpst Of apa1lA