Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-11

drop, and, quivering from head to foot, she
almost whispered
"Then do not leave me-"
"Ah, Monap' said Waring, drawing close
to her, "do not tempt me to a renewal of
sufferingi I am too desperately in earnest
| to be PLAYED with; and dare not hope that
you, who rejected me when l could have
given you a life Of ease, would share my
wild, uncouth home with me now. Sweet
est, how dare hopeW
| He drew her gently into his arms.
"Take me with you," said Mona, raising
her eyes to his, and letting him read in
them more than words could say.
'My darlingI it is more than I can be-
level Mona, in our short engagement I
do not believe you ever gave me kiss If
you will give yourself to me now, put your
arms round my neck and kiss me of your
own free will"
There was an instant's hesitation, and
then her arms stole gently to his neck, and
her lips were pressed to the brown cheek
he bent to them, but for a second, before
his lips were on hers, clinging to them soft
ly, passionately, as if he drew his souls
life from that sweet mouth.
mo, not yet! I cannot let you go yeti
Tell me, when did you learn to love me?"
"I cannot tell, Leslie. l have never
been Indifferent to you since-since I re-
fused to marry you; and when I saw you,
I soon began to think should like to atone
to you"
'"Fhen it is only pity. Derhaps?"
II do not know what it ISL said Mona,
with a sigh, as she rested her head against
his shoulder; 81 only know that you must
not leave me-"
"And all this time of delicious torturer'
cried Waring, when ruled myself with
rod of iron lest l should show you the
love that was burning my heart out, you
imposed upon me with iciness of mere
friendship. No man could have dreamed
that there was any warmth under such an
exterior''
''HoW did you come to speak to me at
last?" asked Mona, with smile.
1T was an inspiration" said Waring. 81
do not know how many kisses You owe me
for the miserable moments 1 nave had
here"
mo more now, dear Leslie" she said,
in low voice, her cheek growing pale,
her frame trembling, as he drew her to
him.
'ENot One?'' he whispered, and he releas-
GUS consciousness that she loved as pas
sionately as he did himself. 81 am afraid,
Mona," he resumed, after a delicious sill
ence, that your uncle will not like to let
you come into the wilds with me. But the
place is not really bad; it has been cleared
for a considerable time, and"
Poor Uncle Sandy" she interrupted.
81 think he would be willing to give you
l1a h11. 7
sure he considers me that
Needs must. He will miss you dread
fully"
Mary as my successor"
Exactly. Shall I ask Kenneth to join
me in making a double demand? You are
the ruling spirit here''
THAT would be too much. But, pray,
speak to my uncle to-day. He deserves to
be told ut once"
Dinner was got through somehow.
Both Kenneth and Mary instinctlvely felt
that something or other had taken place,
the former had a shrewd idea what
About a couple of hours after the family
meal, knock was heard at the door of
Mona's room, where she had intrenched
uncle had been accomplished.
Your uncle wants to speak to you,
Mona" said Warning.
ooh, Lesliel How is he?''
''The glass is at fair weather. Come
along"
Uncle Sandy was looking pale, and was
sitting unusually upright in his armchair
in the library when Mona, with down-cast
"a in of ar1lp in
closely followed by Warning.
"Aweel," he said, in solemn and some
what tremulous tone, 81 have been hearing
what the grandson o my auld master has
to say. Moo, Mona, my BARN, are you
willing to TAX this mon to be your welded
husband?"
81 am, uncle" she said, softly and clear
".
IF We are, name has a right to withstan'
you. / would be weel content If We had
not to gaze sac far AVA; and I'll feel your
loss sair, but We maun follow the husband
you've chosen"
Dear uncle" said Mona, the tears hang
ing on her long lashes, sit will grieve me,
too, to leave you; you have been father
to me, and thank you"
She knelt beside him and kissed his thin
hand.
"An' father I'll be to ye, my lambie.
Mrs. Leslie, my niece, shall have ten
thoosan' pounds to her tocher; and it's
glad III be that some of my hard earnin's
go to the son of the hoose by which / earn
ed It. But I'll be a lonely mon when ye
leave me-"
You need not be, unless you choose.
You can have niece to read to you and
write for you, and take care of you. Think
of it. uncle, dearl Make Kenneth as happy
as-as am"
Eyes, uncle-for you must let me call
you so. There could not be better or
more suitable wife found for Kenneth than
the one he has found for hlmselfr' cried
Warning.
"Aweel, aweel, will think Of it; but,
my lad, ye maun promise me you'll bring
Mona back to see me ance mair before /
die"
81 do promise you. Uncle Sandy; faith
fully promise you.'
The dramatic taste of moderns will not
| permit that minute distribution of fortune
to each character which all well constt-
tuted readers ought to demand. None OF
| ours came, however, to any tragic end, mol
| was Lisle's confirmed bachelorhood very
| detrimental TO his happiness.
| For the satisfaction of that estimable
| but diminutive portion Of the public who
would TASK for more" the curtain shall
! go up for few minutes on the last tab
| leau-
| Winter and summer had come and gone
| three times, and a glowing autumn sun
was gliding the hills and deepening the
| DurDle heather when Mona and her huS