Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-02-06

Jane!'
"Why do you always bring up Miss
Knollys' name?" exclaimed Val, petulant-
ly, rising from his seat to poke the fire
vigorously.
And why do you always resent it so,
Ii indeed she is no more to you than any
one else" asked Mrs. Dene, maliciously.
Make up your mind which you prefer,
and"
She stopped short, and in her embar-
rassment knocked down small vase
that stood on table at her elbow. Both
girls had come in from the veranda and
stood side by side, as though purposely
affording an opportunity for choice
Diana, her head as usual held daintily
high, her lovely figure almost defiantly
erect: and Jane, eyes cast down, blush
ing violently at the words they had both
overheard and suspected might have ref
erence to themselves
So he had made his choice, thought
Miss Knollys. All, we'll, it was best SO;
for even If he had loved her, as she with.
out doubt loved him, she could never have
overcome her pride sufficiently to have
married him! She whose family was one
of the oldest in England, to stoop to bear
name which was only celebrated in the
particular line of business his relations
had selected! Yet why did she feel such
dull aching pain in her heart, if indeed
she would not have it otherwise than it
was?
do not go, Miss Knox, I have some
thing to say to you," Valentine began,
and she looked up in such evident dis
may, that he added hastily, '1t is only o
confession have to make.
confession always obtains absolution.
Say on. | am sure it is nothing very
dreadful"
1T was a foolish bet that made about
you some weeks ago, that you would
marry Mr.. Blount. Don't look so hurt,
Miss Knox; indeed hardly thought it
possible. | only made the bet in the hope
that I might lose it. 1 am such an I'M
lucky fellow that l always lose my bets
and, indeed, | should not have accepted
the proposition, only was feeling wretch
ed, so-SO@
"Who proposed it? asked Jane.
"Ah, that of course I cannot tell you!
I only want to win your forgiveness for
myself, not to shift the blame upon an
other. Tell me, are you very, very an
gry?'
knew IL DClOTc -Qulelly.
"And that is why you spoke so coldly
to me for some time afterward. [ wish
I had made clean breast of it before. l
wanted to-, but-who told you, Miss
KnoX?"
'"That is my secret. Tell me with whom
the bet was made"
Il cannot-you know l cannot" said
Valentine, distressed.
oil no
was Major Larron who told me on the
night of the til Hussars' dance"
Major Larron! Why, it was he--I
mean"
II can guess what you mean, Mr..
gested the bet, and it was he who hasten
ed to inform me of what you had done
without mentioning his own share in the
transaction"
"He shall answer for it to me-" cried
Valentine.
''No, to me. Please let me tax him with
his treachery to you, and his implied IN
truthfulness to me"
Such a determined expression made
firm her mobile lips that Mr.. Graeme
said no more. Perhaps, too, he was glad
to be relieved from the awkwardness of
such an explanation with his senior Off
cer Yet his Indignation in nowise
abated, and he was resolved never to meet
Barry Larron in friendship again.
''Let us go in," said Jane, presently.
''Mrs. Dene will be wondering where we
are"
Diana and Mr.. Graeme left early in
the evening; and just as Mrs. Dene and
Jane were specializing as to whether it
would be too late to go out themselves,
Mrs. Knox drove up.
Go be contfnued.)