The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-03-12

the festivities seemed the drndrlCNt tildt
had ever been. They had several invita-
tions for. whatever pcopl" might say or
think. they could not bc less than civil
10 thrm. seeing that both Mrs. D|ne and
Miss knollys retained their friendship
but these had been declined on the plea
of Mr.. knoX's illness. But the Quarter
master was more like himself since he
had spoken with the Colonel.
And. during these dismal days AT
Christmas. Jane had fulfilled her promise.
She asked her mother To tell the whole
story of the intercepted letters, or rather.
all of il that was connected with stephen
Irinsep.
He was not TO blame at ALL declared
Mrs. Knox. %stoutly.
Yet ne knew that Jacob Lynn had not
really given me up
Not until about two days before that
fixed for your wedding. | had heard the
detachment was TO march in. and, afraid
that they might arrive too soon. | con-
tessed TO him what | had done"
And he let the deceit continue"
That he did so was my fault. His first
impulse was to 20 to You and tell yon all;
but ] implored him not To bctray me and
spoil your happiness as we'll as his own.
/ don't think hat even then he would
have consented To remain silent-f,r he
knew how obstinate you We're, and that
You would never listen 10 rcaso;-only
that YOU Yourself came and called him.
You looked SO pretty and loving, Jenny.
as you stood outside the window, | did
not wonder he could not give you up"
Jane did not answer She was Won
doring whether ii vas not her own OBJ
%stinacy. at first. which she had hitherto
digniiied by the name of tirmneSs. that
had really been to blame for all that
had subsequently occurred. All, well. if
it were SO. she was sufficiently punished.
There would be no more efforts to try 10
make her change her mind. Her firm
ness was no longer doubted. On this she
could congratulate herself; but, oh, what
a barren honor ii was,
SO the days dragged on-thosc last days
which are most difficult to live through.
when, all arrangements having been
made. and nothing left 10 do 10 occupy
the hands at least. if not the mind, it
only remains TO wait patiently the mo-
ment of departure.
Only four days remained when stephen
Prinsep rode up to the Quarterlnas1,r's
bungalow, and meeting Mrs. Knox. was
allowed to go in alone to find Jane. He
opened the door quietly, and stood upon
the threshold. There she was, leaning
against the window-frame. her face
pressed against the glass. as she looked
along the road. Was she looking for
him? He had taken another road. SO it
happened that she did not see him come.
The light shining through the window
showed clearly the slender outline of her
dropping figure. and made her dark-bluc
serge assume Il richer hue for the tino.
Her hair CLEANED like gold in tie. strong
light. but ii seemed as though nothing
could give brightness to the sweet. pale
face. the tired eyes, SO languidly appraised.
Nothing: That remained To be seen.
He came forward quietly. so quietly
that. still as everything was in the room.
she never heard his footsteps. He had
risked his all on this chance of taking her
by surprisc-would he fail: Hope. doubt.
and despair chased each other through
his brain as he stood with arms stretched
forward.
Jenny. Ny love-"
She turned and saw him. 4 quick
CLEAN came into the hazel eyes. Il warm
flush made more beautiful the lovely. sor.
rowful face. She forgot everything save
thar he loved her, and was here. a. with
IA glad low cry she threw herself weeping
into his arms.
When. the first happy oblivion over.
she tried To draw herself away again. she
found it was too late. He held her fast.
DO you think | shall ever let YOU eS.
cape me again." he asked, with a trium-
plant. tender smile.
Il thought YOU were not even coming to
saw sn,,I l.- - sb,, ..11Al ,,,,f,IIr ~,
though to excuse. or at least account for
her emotion.
Nor have l.. Please heaven, l shall
not say 'good-by' TO you again. my dar-
ling
She shook her head. yet could not re-
strain a happy smile at his mastcrful
manner
I'VE start for England on Friday
disengaging herself from his embrace.
An unlucky day. Marry me to-mor-
row instead he suggested, audaciously.
Have YOU forgotten?' she asked, re-
proachfully. How could | marry You,
when | should only bring disgracc:"
And happiness complete, and pride
unspeakablc in the loveliest wife man
ever had! Would all that count for moth
ing"
III sweet ilattery soothed her momcn.
tary indignation. There WAS no shadow
on her face as she looked up to ask him
shyly:
And YOU have loved neal the time:"
The answer was so evidently satiSfac-
tory that his offense was condoned. and
he was allowed to unfold his plans and
subject them to her approval.
Jane could only smile her thanks. hcr
feelings We're too deep for words; yet the
lovely humid eyes told their own tale of
gratitude and love. They could never
misunderstand each other again.
Presently Stephen Prinsep raised her
two white hands and looked at them crit
icallv.
"YoI have the loveliest hands in the
world. Jenny. and they certainly need no