Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-07-20
CHAPTER XIV.

Lady Nevil had been in London three
weeks; the season was in full swing. She
had presented Madge to her sovereign,
and Madge was in high spirits and enjoy
Ing her gayeties immensely. June had
been home once, and Sir Thomas had
spent two nights in London, on the occa-
sion of his wife's giving dinner party at
which it WAS thought desirable he should
preside as host.
The season advanced, and rumors be
gan to fly about Of an expedition to Egypt
In which the Guards were to take part.
At first the idea was ridiculed, but grad
ua.y it came to be entertained more Sc
riously, and then to be recognized as a
fact. Dallas battalion was for service.
and as soon as this was known to the
ladies in Grosvenor street it had a most
dampening effect upon their spirits.
Madge. it is true, affected to share the
enthusiasm of Dallas, and talked gayly
of the distinctions he would earn-the pos
sibility of medals and Victoria crosses
Mrs. Ellesmere WAS seriously depressed
at the thought of the hardship and dan
ger her favorite nephew might incur, and
as for June. each time she realized 1t,
knot rose in her throat and a mist came
before her eyes, and she felt as if life had
suddenly become blank. She would look
1T MN rs lie Nds anu
talking in the gayest of spirits, and then
her vivid imagination would see him lying
dead. with livid. upturned face, on a bat
tlefield, worn and wasted by fever in
some ~retched hospital.
Late one July afternoon June and Mrs.
Ellesmere left the carriage at the top OF
the Row and took chairs under the trees.
Dallas was to join them there. Madge
was spending the afternoon with friend.
Mr.. Carslake passed, then stopped, turn
ed and asked permission TO sit down by
Lady Nevil. Presently a friend of Mrs.
Ellesmere joined her. and the first pair
were left to each other. Naturally
enough, the conversation turned on the
coming campaign, and June, who was al
ways trying to get comfort on the sub
ject, asked Mr.. Carslake his opinion of
the chances of fighting.
June tried to draw consolation from Mr..
Carslake. He did not think it would be
very serious affair: he was not impress
ed with a belief in the fighting qualities
of the Egyptians: change of masters
would make very little difference to them;
they would stih be oppressed under any
rule. The clima tie was tha-worst part
OF 1t. though the Bedouins and the Nile
might seriously impede our operations.
Then Mr.. Carslake, not looking at Lady
Neyil, but trying to make his voice in
different, said:
II suppose Miss Ellesmere feels Broke's
going very muchT
In moment his meaning dawned on
June, and she saw that a golden oppor-
tunity was before her.
II do not think so," she answered. Not
nearly so much as my aunt-and l. She
only thinks of the brilliant side of war,
-
''She will feel it more when he is gone,
no doubt" said Mr.. Carslake, tracing a
pattern in the gravel with his stick.
'I do not know" replied June. "Peo-
pie never think anything is likely to hap.
pen to their friends unless it is a matter
of vitally absorbing interest to them"
But | thought such was the case"
"Certainly not" exclaimed Lady Nevil
with great animal ton. There is nothing
of any sort or kind between Madge and
Mr.. Broke, except the most ordinary
friendship"
"Ohw and Mr.. Carsake looked up al
her. Il was told that if not actually en-
gagged they were next door to it"
June felt that her opportunity had come
what do not people say p she remark
ed do you believe every report yor
hearT
"Only when it is borne out by appear
ances."
"You are Quite mistaken" said Lad,
Eeyil. "Madge has never been in low
but once in her life, and then so seriousl!
that | think it will quite prevent he
ever caring much for anyone else
Tell me frankly" said Mr.. Carslake
ARE you speaking of me? l should no
venture to ask unless
''Yes, | am" replied June, with eQua
frankness.
"And-and do you really believe she il
not Indifferent to me?'
II am quite sure that you are the onl!
man for whom she has ever cared seri
ously."
To Mr.. Carslake's infinite chagrin, Dal
las came up at this moment. But Jun
felt that enough had been said, and tina
Madge's future, at all events, was safe
Dallas saw June and Madge off by tn
train next day; he took cordial leave o
the latter, and she wished him a gay fare
well, and bade him bring her back tn
scalps of numerous Egyptians and return
covered with glory.
81 shall see you again." he said to Jun
as the train was starting, keeping lon'
hold of her hand and for once not at
tempting to prevent his eyes from betray
Ing to her all he felt. As for June, sh
was deathly pale: her lips were qulvef
ing; there was a look almost OF agony u
her face The whistle sounded. the tran
moved off, their eyes were hxed In on
long. last gaze, and then they were parteo
June leaned back in the carriage an
closed her eyes, Madge made some ga.
remark, but her cousin did not answer
and Mndge took the hint and left ne
alone. Her own pleasant thoughts Wer
company enough for her; the misunder
standing between her and Mr. Carslak
was at an end, and be had asked her
marry him.
The time was drawing on, and Jun
had not yet found courage to tell her hus
hand of her intended visit to London; IN
felt instinctively that he would not y
pleased. And, whatever happened. sh
could not, no she could not, give up tina
cherished idea. She must see Dallas one
more.
One morning, four days before the nj
nounced departure of the Guards. she sal
to Tom, us he was about to leave I'll
breakfast room:
Il am going up on Saturday to sta
two nights with Mrs. Trevanion."
"Ohr' he uttered. and stopped shor
"Have you not had enough Of Londo
yet?''
There was something unusual in n
voice; it had ring Of distinct dlsplea
ure and Dissatisfaction