Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-15
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her husbands death, she had had a low
fever for several weeks, which had robbed
her Of her strength and made her very
slim and pale. Yet she looked younger
than she had done during the earlier por-
ton of her married life, when the shame
of having been Tilted by one man and
having been married by another for PHYS
sake had weighed SO heavily upon her.
Now all that past time troubled her no
more. and mourning for a husband, who
she knew loved her. was a healthier If
more pungent grief.
1t was July when Jane arrived, one Of
the Quietest months at Simla, so she had
little leisure to recover her good looks,
about which Mrs. Dene could not have
been more anxious had she been the
most scheming Of Belgravian danes.
A fancy-dress ball was to be given on
the LIST of August by the Viceroy. and
at this 1t was decided that Jane should
make her debut in Simla society. At
first she had demurred, partly on ac-
count OF the expense; but every objec-
ton was overruled, and when the big
card of invitation was put into her hand
she felt glad that she had been per
suaded.
She had told the outline of her story to
Mrs. Dene, only suppressing the facts Of
her mothers deceit and Colonel Prinsep's
completely. But Mrs. Dene, knowing
only part, and consequently not seeing
sufficient motive for the breaking off Of
the marriage. jumped to the conclusion
that. though she might have been deeply
hurt and distressed at the notoriety in
volved, Jane had never really loved the
Colonel. Mrs. Dene felt a momentary
regret that she herself was not accom-
N -han en L.
the girl looked.
"The prettiest maid that ever went
h-milking." smiled Mrs. Molnet, as she
noted James appearance before she left
for the ball.
Il foretell that you will be the belle Of
the ball" added her daughter. "Hither-
TO Diana knollys has reigned supreme;
but her day is over now"
That Jane enjoyed herself was a mat
Ter of course. She looked the very incar-
nation of youth and pleasure as she
moved about, the color coming and going
fitfully in her face, her hazel eyes aglow
with soft delight.
Government House to her seemed a
palace of splendor; but that she was the
Cinderella of the scene, who had been
almost unanimously declared its fairest
queen, she did not guess. In her own
most beautiful woTnGn tlete.
Major Larron had gone to Cashmere
for his six months leave and spent most
Of his time shikarring; but when he heard
where the Quartermaster's daughter had
gone he lost no time in following her
there, bringing IS propitiatory gifts some
red bearskins for Mrs. Dene and for
Jane magnificent snow leopard skin, to
Use as rug for her jampan, the usual
node Of conveyance in the hills.
Valentine Graeme came up also for the
last two months, and having made known
the opinion he had always held as to her
bistrionic powers, prepared the way for
her to another triumph.
Sometimes the girl could scarcely be-
lieve that she had ever been the Sergeant
Majors daughter, and engaged to Jacob
Lynn; yet In one thing she was IN
changed. Never for an instant did her
love fol Stephen Prinsep falter.
The season drew to an end. and with
many regrets Jane left Mrs. Dene's hos
pitabls roof to return to Alipore. She
Travelled down with Miss Knollys, with
whom lstteriy she had become better nc-
quainted The Commissioners daughter
had begun by affecting friendship for
diplomacy's sake; but afterward what
Colonel Prinsep had foretold her came to
pass, she grew to really like her for her
own sake, and Jane returned the liking.
It was not to be supposed that any one
| 10 handsome as Diana Knollys should re-
main without an admirer. She had sew
eraJ. but only one of them had actually
declared himself, and that was Colonel
Grey, who commanded the -th Hussars.
Mrs. Knox was delighted to have her
daughter back, and had rejoiced in the
several accounts of her successes which
she had received from the good-natured
Adjutant and Mrs. Dene.