Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-15
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
The Quartermaster had been shocked
1. the confession which he had forced
from his wife's lips. Indignation lent
him eloquence. and as in forcible terms
be expressed his scorn for her dereliction
from straightforward dealing, she liter
ally covered before his wrath.
The following morning dawned bright
fy; but Jane thought it the drearies'
day-break on which her eyes had ever
rested. All night long she had beer
awake, grieving, but toward morning nae
sunk into an uneasy sleep Of short dura
ton.
Her nights rest had restored to Mrs
Knox her usual self-assertion and hei
tongue. She was scolding the servants
vigorously as Jane emerged from hei
room; but her volubility came to sudden
end as she saw her daughter. The shah
by black frock, of which she intuitively
felt the full significance, touched hel
strangely, and lump rose in her throat
Her face became crimson, and yearnina
for love and sympathy, held out he's
hands.
Mrs. Knox caught her in her arms and
cried over her. reproaching herself bit
terly for the share she had in her mis-
fortune. What might have been a bar
rier between them James sweet, forgiv.
ing disposition had broken down. and
mother and child understood each othei
better than they had ever done before.
The Quartermaster came in and was
pleased to see the reconciliation, though
he thought it best to take no notice OF
1t In words, only smoothing his daugh.
ter'S bright hair tenderly as he passed
her.
A week later, when the Sergeant came
and asked to see Jane, he found himself
confronted with the Ouartermaster in
stead.
II wish to see Jane" he stammeret
cut with an awkward salute.
''If it is anything important for her t.
know. l can take the message"
why should not be allowed to speak
for myself? Jane has promised to be my
wife, and have right to see her wher
/ choose. From the first 1 never hae
fair play. Mrs. Knox forbade me the
house first, then she tampered with my
letters"
The Quartermaster had been standing
all this time, nor had he offered his Wis.
itor seat, wishing the interview to be
q brief one With this object still before
him, he went straight to the subject he
wished to impress upon the Sergeant
once and for all.
"One other thing it would be better
you should credit-ttat your claim upor
my daughter is at an end. forbid the
engagement"
your consent?'' leaning forward with ar
angry light in his eyes.
The Quartermas ster nodded.
The Sergeant sunk into a chair ant
passed his hand across his brow. AL
though the evil habit he had lately con.
tracted had made him oftentimes de
spondent, he was naturally of a hopefu
disposition, and had In his heart OF
hearts cherished the idea that Jan.
would become his wife. His love fo- heI
We the one strong impulse Of his life
and like all weak natures, he supposed
that could he win his desire he wouic
be a better man.
With a quiet hand shake the two mer
parted shortly after, and the Quarter
master Immediately repaired to the draw.
ing-room to tell his daughter what IN
had done.
Jenny, darling" said her father, gen
tly, Il have been doing something for yov
without your permission"
Have you?" she answered, listlessly
81 dare say 1 shall not be very angry"
"But 1 want you to be pleased"
81 don't know that I can promi0
that-wlth smile
II have spoken to Jacob Lynn, forbid
ding your engagement, and he has sub
mitted to my authority. So, Jenny,
shall expect equal obedience from you
"Then / am freew she cried, excitedly
disregarding his attempt to jest.
After that she grew a little brighter
Perhaps-for she was very young ant
unused to sorrow-hope had unconscious
ly revived; but if SO, it was destined soor
to fade again.
One morning her mother came in with
something to say, which she evidently
feared might give her pain. She fd
reted about the room rearranging severa.
ornaments and books. then finally tool
mn her position behind James chair.
II don't know. Jenny" she began. ner.
yously, what passed between you and
Colonel Prinsep the-that day. l have
always felt that had no right to ask
But, child, will you tell your mothel
whether you expected ne "ouio come "
you again!
IL had no reason to expect So" wal
the stammered reply. Then, as the 81
Ience grew oppressive and full of name
less fears. Jane added in a constrained
voice: "Why do you ask?"
"Yecause he started yesterday for En-
Gland, and thought
Jenny never heard the cOncluSlon o'
nor words. for she swOoned away.
CHAPTER XIV.
That summer was very hot one a
AEpore. Even Mrs. Knox, who had beer
through so many hot seasons, felt weai
ard languid; and Jane, who had neyel
h.en through one since she was child
rev really ILL., Often she dreamed o.
tn summer days in England, and pic
tured Stephen Prinsep wandering through
ieafy elades, or By a mountain stream
Re had described to her his home q
eften that she seemed to know ever
nook and corner of it. And now ne nas
zone there alone Rrooding over me-
sorrow became lazury to her at iass
and abe grew impatient when her rsvssA
Oss disturbed at. ,,,~+ur,
Nra Dene, who had with her parent;
taken q house at Simla, wrote and asked
Jane to stay with them for the next fnres
0onths.
The meeting was at first fraught Wit
sosnful memories to both; Jane though,
al that happened since their iaI
Salk together at Alipors; and Mrs; Den:
recalled the pleasant plans that sne ans ,s
- husband had made for them al
0ending that hot weather at Cashmsee q
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