Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-04-01
CHAPTER XIII

When Jane went in she found a note
from her mother containing rather start
ling news. The quartermaster had been
SO unwell that Mrs. Knox had called in
a doctor, who pronounced it to be an
utter breaking-up of health. consequent
on his long residence In the country, and
that the only remedy he could suggest
was a years leave to England.
'This, of course" wrote Mrs. Knox,
| "will be a serious pecuniary loss; but
we must grudge nothing that will restore
to us your father as he used to be-"
"Ah, that he can never be again!'
sighed Jane. as she put down the letter.
She scarcely knew whether to be glad or
whether it would be a relief to go OF
great grief. "How could she," she asked
herself, 'leave India, not knowing wheth.
er she might ever see her lovers face
again?"
She thought of going home at once.
much as she dreaded the meeting with
her father: then glancing again at the
letter she saw that Mrs. Knox expressly
desired she would not shorten her visit,
which in any case would be at an end in
q few days.
Those last days. how Jane enjoyed
themi
Stephen Prinsep, who came every day.
scarcely recognized her in this new mood.
Was II frivolity or heartlessness, or the
excitement engendered BY despair? May
be the last conjecture was nearer the
truth than she herself knew.
They never saw each other alone, 30
It was ths easier for the Colonel to keep
to his resolution. He did not startle her
again. An outsider would have thought
them merely friends. Jane herself was
often reminded Of the time when her en-.
gagement to Jacob Lynn was a secret
still, and all unconsciously she was learn.
ing to love one whom it had seemed fated
she should never marry.
One day Mrs. Dene asked her to re,
main with her during the year her par.
ents would be away: but she put the
temptation from her bravely.
"You are as good as you have always
BEEN" she answered, gratefully; but il
is my duty to go with them to help my
mother"
"Certainly the great reformer must
have been your ancestor" commented
the Colonel. when he heard Of the offer
and its refusal.
"Indeed, don't think even John Knox
took 20 much delight In denying him.
self" complained Mrs. Dene.
'I expect John Knox was good ali
round" observed Jane, quantity, "and did
not need to distinguish himself in any
particular direction. Besides" she add
ed, gravely. after q pause, ''it il my
pleasure, of course, as well as my duty,
to 20 with my father and mother"
She was sitting little distance of, anq
Colonel Prinsep crossed the room and
stood near her looking down.
"would nothing induce you to stay be.
hind z" he asked, In a voice 20 low that
Mrs. Dere could not have heard 1t, even II
she had not at that moment been busy
sounting n cross-stitch pattern.
She shook her head, not daring to trust
herself to speak.
"You might marry" he haxarded.
'Never, neverr'
"Why?" he asked her boldly, his eyes
still fastened on her face.
Her lips quivefed In such evident dis
tress that he could not press the ques-
ton.
"All girls say that" he remarked In
stead, with a touch Of incredibility.
"Not, 1 hope, with such good reason.
she replied, with q dignity % full OF sor
row that he was silenced.
Even with the hope of consolinS her
at last, he had no right to pain her 90
This was the last day,
Mn. Dsns's stay at Ahpoes had deas
An pndeuhfa6 -anaA.- AhA M 14hh0