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

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Jane had once been a sergeant-major's 9
daughter. and now might be a peeress
II she chose; or, which might be an even
brighter fate-fOr Miss Knollys did not
Ike Major Larron now-the wife of
Stephen Prinsep.
Meanwhile Colonel Prinsep walked
away slowly, his gaze bent downward:
therefore it might have been uncon-
sciOusly he passed the mess-gates, and
went on toward the quartermaster' 8
house.
Diana's last words were ringing in his
ears, and had driven every other thought
away. "She can't always be impractica.
BILE: she can't always refuse!'
There seemed something Of prophecy
in the uncOnsidered remark, which he
was fain TO apply to his own use. She
had been SO long deaf to his spoken en-.
treaties and even more persuasive un-
uttered prayers that at any moment she
might have discerned his love In his
eyes: surely she would listen now, the
cause of her forced coldness being rs-
moved. Just at first she might have felt
vexed with him as with herself, for the
fear and resentment she had expressed
about Jacob Lynn: but her natural good
sense must show her that neither had
pVtH " oidmc, anu sue WOulu, II sue
loved him-as she had loved him without
doubt during that short, bright period Of
their engagement-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 in the Argus. And
for his part, if every one turned against
and reviled her, he would none the less
joyfully take to his arms the one love of
his life
As he turned into the compound b,
! met Mrs. Knox.
Il was just going out" she told him
when the usual greetings had been ex.
changed. But I will turn back with
you. 1t was nothing of Importance, and
am suie it was very kind Of you to
call; we have been dreary enough lately"
ut was your daughter came especial
ly to 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, l have come to ask her again to
be my wife, but whether have a chance
or not cannot say"
'She loves you, l am sure" asserted
Mrs. Knox; but she did not speak SO hope.
fully as 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 brilliancy would be displayed
in vain, Mrs. Knox hurried on, and the
Colonel was free to pursue his course un.
hindered.
vx,sn sc
were open, and at one of them Jane stood
looking out: but directly she saw him
she shrunk back, and when he entered
the room he found her at the furtherest
end of it with the handle of the door in
her hand, as though about to fee.
Jenny, Jenny, what is it that has
come between US that you would avoid
me sor he cried, staying some distance
off lest she should escape him altogether.
She leaned against the door, and her
face was hidden from his gaze. Only q
convulsive 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 l love
you now even more dearly than the first
day l asked you to be my wife. You are
bound by no promise now: you are free
at last!'
"Oh. hush, hushv' 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
il you and l never met, Jacob Lynn
would be still aliveY'
II think you exaggerate," he remon-
strated in his quiet voice, which insen.
sibly soothed her excitement; Ibis death
was an accident, and though we may
both regret 1t, for one cannot be SO un
selfish as to ignore the fact that it makes
possible what you declared impossible be
fore-our marriage, Jenny"
"Over his graveF
Il do not understand" he said, hope
iessly. "You must"
II know all!' she Interrupted him
For moment or two neither Of them
spoke. Jane, frightened at her own bold |
ness, stood before him with downcas,
eyes and trembling lips, and Colone |
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 REASONABLE |
suppose his probation to be at an end
q fresh obstacle intervened, mysterious
shadOwy, and apparently not to be ex
planned. His first impulse was to leav,
and never seek her again; but, as wha
was meant for a farewell glance fell I'D
on her lovely. troubled face and swaying
form, he relented, and was onc
more under the potent spell of her beauty
ready to serve twice seven years If onlJ
be might win her so.
"Listen to me, Jenny" he pleaded
81 have loved you so well. and
with SO little thought of self, that surely
{ deserve n hearing; and if there is any
ict of mine you have misinterpreted. 1t
only fair you should let me justify my
self if l can
She looked into his face with such evi. |
tent dread of what it was that he would |
say that for an instant he was discom'
posed.
Then, as she averted her gaze, he wen, |
On gravely:
"At the same moment l first realized |
ny love for you l almost simultaneously |
discovered that you were already en |
gagged, and 1 accepted my fate-sorrow' ]
fully, it is true, but with no hope of alteD /
Ing it. If l implored you to think seri
ously before definitely fulfilling the prom
tse you had made, it was, heaven knows
with no ulterior motive, but from wish
to secure your happiness. which l valued
more than my own. Afterward, because
I heard SO much against Sergeant Lynn
aud I myself proved some ut least Of The '
Z