Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-22
CHAPTER XXv-(Continued)
VOL. l..

CHAPTER XXV-(ContinuedD
After his last speech Colonel Prinsep
had addressed himself to Mrs. Knox; but
though apparently giving all his atten'
ton to what she was saying. he heard
every word that passed in the window
corner to which Jane had returned.
Promise me-" Jack Blount was saying,
eagerly-''promise me that you will weai
the flowers l send you
"Miss Knox won't promise that, In
sure" cried Valentine Graeme, boyishly
tmpulsive.
"Why not?" asked Blount. with IA CON
ceited smile.
Because have sent her some already
and-and it would not be fair.'
"Favors don't go by roster! contempt.
uously.
Jane smiled but would not commit her
self to an opinion.
''How do you generally decide which
bouquet you will take?" asked Barry
Larron lounging up To them, his dark
face expressive of mingled amusement
and admiration
II take the prettiest," answered Jane.
"Dop't you think that is good a way
as any out of the difficulty"
'.And if they are equal in their merits:'
Then l choose the one that best
matches my dress"
''Scarlet and white go with anything
exclaimed Val Graeme. eagerly.
just then Mrs. Knox called to him 10
corroborate statement, and as Barry
leaned forward.
II shall send you yellow roses" he said.
In an undertone, which. however, two
people overheard.
A thought flashed across Colonel Prin-
sep's mind that were he to send her a
bouquet he would guarantee to plea So
her taste. He knew all her favorite
scents and flowers, and was also aware
of the fancy she had for always by
preference wearing white.
Nor had Major Larron been less OBJ
servant and an idea struck him then that
caused n sardonic smile to fit across his
lips.
Colonel Prinsep rose TO say "good-by, -
and the others followed his example, the
Adjutant and the A. d. c. staying a mo-
ment 10 wrangle about the number OF
dances each was to receive. When this
was settled-to the satisfaction of neither
the Hon. Barry Larron put in his
claim
CHAPTER XXVI.
Knox sunk down upon chair. and
tanned herself vigorously.
what could have made him Gomez"
she sighed out AT length, and though NO
name was mentioned. Jane did not pre-
tend to doubt as TO whom the pronoun re-
ferred.
perhaps il was what he said-a sense
Of duty" she answered, quietly. Yet,
though outwardly calm. CLEAN in her
hazel eyes told of inward excitement, and
her fingers were fdgeting nervously with
the silver buckle of her belt.
She wondered whether he had noticed
Mr.. Blount's attention, and whether 1t
wore in her power to inaict pang upon
: him by encouraging the same. She felt
hurt and sore. capable of doing or say
ing anything that wcrld move his i'm
penetrable calm. 1t was SO humiliating
to know that she loved him still. and
must love him always, while he had for
gotten quite.
She had gone into the veranda to grow
eool, and SO be alone, wandering round
to the other side of the house, out of
sight Of the drawing-room windowa
Presently the sound of her own name
smote her ear, and turning, she saw Ser
Reant Lynn standing in the shadow Of
near clump of trees.
81 want to speak to you," he said, In q
low voice.
For a moment she hesitated and shrunk
back The man was looking white and
haRRard, and she did not feel equal to
the violent scene which his whole appear
snce and manner portended.
"You are afraid of me-" he remarked.
With bitterness.
This decided her. Her fathers Terai
fohs
she crushed 1t on her bright hair and ran
quickly down the steps to join him.
81 did not know that you were back. "
I'VE only marched in this morning,
and directly l could get away l came
here. l have been waiting more than
three hours on the chance of seeing you.
.sWhy did you not come to the house!'
Nwith the Colonel, and the Adjutant
and Major Larron, salaming all the time
like a native, to show you the great diff
ference there is between them and me?''
-scornfully.
Jacob, Jacob, do not talk so wildly"
Il speak as l have felt. Surely that
ased not shock you. Though you are az
far above me as the angels, you might
nifty. instead of shrinking from me. Re
1ember. what I am you have made me- II
"You have no right" she faltered, look
Ing M at him with terror-stricken eyes
"No. 1 have no right. OF that your
father. rightly or wrongly-I don't pre-
tend to judge-deprived me, yet never
thought that you would have stopped 70
shield yourself behind his authority:
.Nor did 1. 1 know nothing of his in
tentions. Jacob, you talk OF pity, ye'
you have no pity for me. Knowing how
I tried to be true, you need not reproach
me So"
.Tt was the Colonel. If he had moi
come. Won would have been my wife
now."
"Perhaps. 1 never loved you"
"You have told me that 50 often,
vouder do not give You hate for hate
You have been my evil genius Had Il
not been for you might be my own seil
fnsfead of the miserable drunkard tina,
am"
"Yet. for your own sake, Jacob, II no,
eo- mine. YOU might have striven against
such q terrible habit. Father told me
mat you had promised to refrain. anu
vas hoping"
Hope nothing, Jenny; 1t Is too late FOL
that now, whatever it might have been
then. tried at first; for a whole mont1
I did not let a drop pass my Lips; then
new gloomy and dispirited. / knew
was only following a will-o-the- wisp
that I had no real chance Of winning
you. try as might to be steady and sober
II you would promise me sometninS oe1
mite, perhaps@