Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-13
MONH'o CHOICE
BY MRS. ALEXANDER

In the temperature where it was to be
drunk; the drawing-room made pretty,
and good fires everywhere, Mona retired
TO dress.
eff it is Captain Lisle I need not look
fright" she thought; IF it is stranger,
my uncle viii be pleased to see me at my
best"
She well knew Uncle Sandy's pride in
his belongings, a pride which caused some
painful struggles in his soul between the
love Of good appearance and the love Of
pelf.
So she put up her rich golden hair in be-
coming coils and short waYy braids, ar
rayed herself in polonaise of soft creamy
muslin over Ter black satin skirt, and tied
an old-fashicned enamel Iocket with black
velvet round the snowy throat which her
open corsage permitted to be seen. This,
and large spray Of red geranium and fern
on one side of her bodice, were her only
ornaments.
She was quite ready, and not dissatisfied
with herself, some time before the hour at
which the travellers were expected, so she
sat down to the piano and played dreamily
to Kenneth, who had also got himself up
with care.
'"They are late, are they not?" said Mona,
and as she spoke the sound Of approaching
wheels made itself heard.
mo" ne returned; 1.-The train must have
been punctual-here they comer'
''Now the mystery will be solvedw cried
Mona, rising and following Kenneth into
the hall, where at the open door stood
Wallace" fine, black colly, barking an
uproarious welcome.
Uncle Sandy descended in very dislo-
Gated fashion from the phaeton, with Ken
neth's help, and advanced to meet Mona,
who kissed him kindly.
i'I'm awfu' wearyr' he said; ''I hope the
denner is ready?"
eyes, quite ready uncle" she returned,
darting a curious look beyond him at a
gentleman who was in the act of crossing
the threshold-a man not much above mid
die height, wrapped in loose ulster, the
high collar of which almost meeting the
traveling-cap pulled over his eyes, effectu-
ally concealed his face. He came forward
under the lamp, and turning to him, Mr..
Craig said with unusual warmth
''I'm varra glad to see your mothers son
under my roof. This is my niece-I was
near saying my daughter-Miss Craig"
The stranger threw back his coat and
took Off his cap. As ne bowed, the strong
light fell upon him, and Mona found her
self face to face with Leslie Waring, great
ly changed.and looking years older, but
still Enthusiastically Leslie Waring.
For moment or two Mona felt blind
and dizzy, so great, so sudden was her sur
prise. Then she recovered herself all the
more rapidly, because he seemed perfectly
unmoved-while she could only exclaim
in an agitated yoice-"Mr. Waringp'
He said quietly-'This is most unex-
pected pleasure" and took the hand she
extended mechanically.
"Eh, monl' cried Uncle Sandy, edo ye
ken Mona? How's this? Ye never told
me-"
81 had no idea Miss Joscelyn was in any
way related to your said Waring, with q
smile.
miss Joscelyn? There's no Miss JOSEF
Ign here. This is my niece, Mona Craigr'
~ remember now" said Warning, quick
"; 81 beg your pardon. / had the pleasure
of knowing Miss Craig some years ago, in
London"
''It is varra remarkable; but there's time
enough to talk about it a.. Go, TAX off yer
coat Kenneth, show Mr.. Warning his
room Come, my bairnie, tell Jessie to
bring up the vivers. Pm just faint like; it
has been cold journey"
''Wiu you take little whisky and water
at once, uncle?" asked Mona. trying to re-
member her duties with an effort, so dazed
did she feel at this astounding reappear-
ance.
''Aweel, it might be better to do So just
hang up my coat, will you? Eth, but you
have fire that's enough to set a the
chimneys in Kirktoun burning; still it
looks gram. The young mon will think
auld Sandy Craig has a fine hose O. his
ain. It's varra strange you knowing each
other. Thank you, my dearie,'' as she
handed him his allowance of whisky and
water.
but, uncle, how in the world did you
come to know Mr.. Waring?"
ME? Aweel, knew him when he was
wee BARN, but it's lang years since. His
mother was Mr. Leslie's daughter. You'll
mind my telling you o. the great hoose o.
Maceachern Z Leslie. Leslie was the
gran gentleman Of the firm; and his daugh-
ter-eh, my word. she was q bonniel she
was the Young Teddy that ought to have
been my wife, and this lads eyes are just
like his mOther's-she married 81 proud,
upsettiag Englishman: hut the siller was
hers. and the boy was named after her
father. He has been fulish, Pm fearin'
and has spent n cruel lot o. money, gaming
awfu' and racin' and rampaging. So me-
thing turned him wrong; moo, he seems
more wise-like, and has settled doom on q
farm in America. He came over ABBOTT
some law plea, a bit o. money that was
coming to him through his mother, and
sac he came on to Glasga', to speak to Mr.
Cochran, who was aye the adviser Of a. the
hoose, an there he found me- was right
glad to meet him, and-but here he is, and
jessie too. The denner's ready. I'm glad
to see you in my boose, Mr.. Waring. Give
me your arm. am a puir frail body"
Warning threw smiling glance at Mona,
as if asking pardon for preceding her, and
led his host into the dining-room.
Mona took her place at the head of the
table with an oyer-powering sense of en-
barrassment, mixed with self-reproach.
Something had turned him wrong?"
Uncle Sandy said; twas she that some
thing?'"
Pride came to her assistance, however;
she must not let him see how overwhelmed
she really was. By a resolute effort she
recalled her self-control, and played the
part of hostess with sweet gravity and
simple kindness; but though avoiding
Warnings eyes, she keenly observed how
greatly he had changed. He looked taller
because he had grown thinner. His strong
figure looked frmer and more set; his face,
longer, darker, more imb~owned, and
grave, if not absolutely sad; it had COM
pletely lost the ford freshness of early
manhood: his eyes, too, seemed larger and
more thoughtful; but his long thick mus
tache, dropping to either side, showed
when he smiled that his rather large teeth
were as brilliantly white as before; his