Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-22
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Ihey had stopped beneath the trees
ana the sunlight. glinting through the
branches, lighted up the gay uniform of
the hussar. and fell upon his Rood-look.
ing face as be stood waiting for her ia
speak
oh, no, not" she murmured. and hio
her face in her hands.
But he drew them gently down. look.
ing sadly into her eyes
Don't be afraid, little Jenny. was
not going to ask that. ! know am not
worthy Of you, that it would only be
dragging you down with me. Nothing
now can save me from q drnnkard's Q
end"
The tears were streaming down her
pretty face and her figure swayed rest
not this all her doing. her faultf
oh, Jacob. let me help you-let me do
something to atOner'
Ny pretty one. your sympathy does
ne more good than you can know. On
any soul l will try to amend if only to
spare you grief. And, Jenny, promise
| me something. toO-promise me that you
will not marry until"
! Then SO long as you wish me not to
marry | will not" she substituted. meek
| ly: and lifted her eyes to him SO full of
tenderest compassion that. looking into
! them, he could not but believe she would
; hold to what she said, even though his
doubts might return when removed from
, her presence.
| Tell me you forgive me-" she whis-
pered, as she turned to go.
1 do forgive you: and. Jenny. think Of
me, too. as kindly as you can"
He grasped her hands SO tightly that
| she nearly cried out. His eyes were fixed
upon her intently, as though wishing to
. keep her always 30 In mind-beautiful in
{ her womanly sorrow. and thinking only
! Of him
For a moment he stood 90, then with q
deep sigh released her, and strobe away,
his head raised defantly, and cutting at
the heads of the tall grasses with his
, whip as he went
When she went in she met her mother
in the hall.
Jenny, there are some flowers come
, for you. Those young men spoil you,
, that's a fact"
You know IL pleases you far more than
It does me" she said, smiling.
Il believe it does. You take it SO quiet.
ly that one might think you had been ac-
you have been crying-what about ?''-
bringing her keen eyes to bear upon her
daughters tear-stained face. Its not
about the Colonel?" she added, quickly.
NO, no. Is it likely, when he cares SC.
little for me?"-lifting her head proudly.
Perhaps for that very reason" thought
Mrs. Knox, shrewdly: but she would not
vex Jane by saying SO aloud. Come and
see your fowers," she said, instead; "and
don't cry any more, Jenny, or l shall be
disappointed of seeing my daughter the
acknowledged beauty Of the ball. Re
member, I have never participated in any
of your triumphs yet"
Then I will look my best for your sake;
but''-looking down indi6erently at the
| creamy blossoms lying In their bed of
| green-"you must have these roses,
| mother; they will enliven your black
| dress, and shall wear those Mr.. Graems
sent me-"
And in spite of all retnonstrances she
carried her point, and Jack Blount's yel-
| low roses, which he had taken 10 much
trouble to beg. buy and steal from differ
| ent places in the station, instead Of max
| ing lovelier still the lovely face and fg-
ure for which they wers intended, adorned
the cheap black silk lace cap Of Mrs.
Knox.
But after all Jane never wore Valentine
/ Graeme's flowers. Just ~ she had gone
| to her room to dress, the ayah came in
| carrying a large basket.
Jane drew away the ferns that Lay
across the top, and discovered q bouquet
beautifully arranged, with some flowers
| lying loose for her gown and hair. They
were all white, with only delicate maiden
hair ferns and their own leaves to lend .
tings Of color.
Whence they had come remained Q mys-
tery. The man who had brought them
had left at once, only saying that they
| were for the Miss Sahib," and a. he
was q coolie and not q hveried servant It
was impossible to guess By whom they
| had been sent.
Mrs.. Knox was called In to give heP
] views on the subject, but could throw NJ
| light upon 1t, and the Quartermaster
proved equally bad at guessins.
Father" asked Jane, abruptly, ''havs
you heard anything Of Jacob Lynn
He came in to-day with the rest Of the
men from the Hill depot The change Of
air has not done much for him; he was
looking wretchedly bad, I thought"
"Does-does he drink stillT
The Quartermaster looked grave. He
had had hopes of him at first; but latter
| ", for he had made . point of inQuirinS.
| the accounts were very bad.
II am afraid 1t IL all up with him" he
said, at last. He has been reduced to q
| private, you know, since he left Alipore.
and now, having less to lose. win grow
| reckless, / fear"
"Can't we do anything for him2 Don't
Sou think if We had him herr"
"Here! cried the quartermaster, en-
ragged at the idea IF catch him here.
| III break every bone in his body. What
business had he to 60 courtins you when
+, he knew he was NO fit husband for any
| eiri. For the matter Of that, ought to
have known It myself He comes Of Q
bad breed, and he had got into bad habits
long before I suspected anything. As u
/ always the case, the one most interested
| is last to hear the news."
The subject was dropped and Jane was
left at leisure to pursue other and more
pleasurable thoughts. In her own mind
she had decided that the lovely flowers
which had come last and were exactly
what she herself would have chosen
could have come from none other thar
Stephen Prinsep.
CHAPTER XVII.
The mess-house Of the -th Hussa0
was a very large one, and peculiarly fitted
for occasions like the present, not only
were the rooms wide and lofty, but they
| were well shaped a. well, and conse'
ouently easily decorated.
They had already begun the program
when Jane arrived. She came in shyly
behind her father aud mother, but hold
ing her bouquse pEodply in her hand, ~
though ita 1eo1e1dQp 0a4e AR Ooa1eooA