Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-09-14
MONH'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

w Ould yDlJ CouSlh IoIlc Win hSE
asked Waring. IF she can walk SO far.
1t is a fine morning. What do you say,
Miss Craig"
Il should like to come very much" said
Mona, frankly She felt delightedly at
home and at ease once more. Il must ask
Uncle Sandy If he can spare me; and can
turn back when have gone far enough, so
as not to impede your progress"
She went swiftly away to seek her uncle.
Waring walked to the window, and stood
with folded arms in deepest thought, quite
oblivious that Kenneth was talking to him.
But Mona soon returned to announce
that she had permission to absent herself,
and in a few minutes the trio were climb
ing the hillside to gain the upper road ny
short cut.
It was very delightful expedition.
Waring said the scenery surpassed all he
had ever seen before for beauty, though he
might have met with grauder views. They
found endless subjects for conversation,
and when Mona proposed to leave then
both gentlemen decided that they would
return with her, as it would be impoLte
not to return In time for dinner.
Mona was surprised at her own light
heartedness, ut the delightful sense Of har-
mony which soothel her spirit after her
short confidential talk with Warning. How
generous he was in generating her from
all blamel How glad she was to be on
frank, friendly terms with him! 1t was
evident he had quite got over his old fancy
for her, so they could enjoy each others
society with perfect safety for the little
time he WINS with them. Alas that it was
SO short. Well, let tomorrow take heed
OF itself, she would enjoy to-day.
And it went quickly-too quickly. War
ing was shown everything about the place
by Uncle Sandy himself, who generally
bestowed a degree OF attention and favor
on his guest such as Mona had never seen
bestowed on any other visitor. Then, In
the evening, Waring seemed never tired
of her compromising his frequent de-
mands on the score Of his speedy departure
to a land where the dittics of n cowboy, or
the crack OF his whip, were all the music
he would hear.
Then came the inevitable hour Of part
ing
Warning had still some business to settle
In Glasgow respecting the small sum he
had Inherited. and after a few days there
he hnd to visit London, finally embarking
at Liverpool
NOM could hardly steady her voice to
bid him good bye. 1t seemed too cruel
that he should be expatriated merely for n
lttIe-not neutrality-suspicious.; and, say
what he might, Mona could not but per-
ceiyc that had she married him, he would
never have committed the faults and follies
winch had changed his life.
Warning himself was quite calm and
cheerful lie promised Uncle Sandy to
yr.artpnollRF hao,fad pDt n
to come and pay him visit whenever it
could ne managed; and he looked for an
instant, kindly and gravely, into Mona's
eyes holding her hand in painfully tight
grasp; then he mounted the phaeton in
which Kenneth was already seatcu, and
they drove off.
moo they aro AVA, ;" said Uncle Sandy,
an he hobblcd toward the library, followed
by his niece, wen have yesterdays paper
till the new ane comes. | read varra little "
Mona made no reply; she would have
given anything for half an hours private
Thought, and the relief Of tears, but this
need must be concealed at any cost.
''Eh, continued her uncle, falling into
his chair. ''yon's an uncommon fine young
man You SEQ how the Scotch bluid tells
In him lie was aWfu' fulish an led away
for n bit, but hc has come n right, like a
brave chicl: and he has his mothers eyes. "
Then the late Mrs Warning must have
had very fine eyes" said Mona, rousinS
herself TO speak checrfully.
"Ay she had that-she had that From
a young Leslie q Gamma bidc his ithcr
name)-from a he tells me- Pm thinking
he'll do weel DOT yonder. lisa rough life,
but IFS honest and hcathfu', ana he'll get
mar COED DOT OFT than he'd find among a
pack o proud, upsetting fule-bodcs in
London" Then with II groan, "Eh, but
my limbs are bad the day. Moo, my dcare
just look at the city article, an after that
there's something ABBOTT the colonies | want
to hear"
i wonder what keeps the lad" said
Mr. Craig Gle isn't often so long on the
road; an begin to want my denncr."
I'VE need not wait for him"
Nav, but it wants mair than half an
hour yet the time I'll tax a cup o.
milk WI adrapo o whisky intiIt, just to stop
the craving"
This refreshmcut administered, the old
man took mp tho paper himself, and began
TO study the state of the funds lie was
perfectly well able to read to himself, but
his nicce's soft voice and clear enumeration
were Injuries to which he considered him
SELF entitled, aud Uncle S.Udy was not the
man to forego Il hairs breadth Of his
rights. Over the price current" how
ever, he loved to lingcr and judge for
himself, after Mona had skinned it for
him
Mona went to put some fresh flowers in
the drawing-room. She, too. was anxious
for kenneth's return; she hoped las he WAS
To call Mt tho pastotllce) that he would
bring her letter from Mary accepting the
invitation she had been permitted to send.
She had grown fond Of the gentle Highland
lassie, and she greatly appreciated the
compauionship of nm Intelligent girl
Mona rcsolutely directed her thoughts to
some little plans Of work and practice to
be shared by Mary, when the distant sound
OF approaching wheels caught her ear,
and, going TO the window, she saw the
phaeton crawling slowly up the steep road
Kenneth held the reins; but could she be
heve her eyes, Warning was again beside
MN! What had happened' could not
nave missed his trainl They had started
III abundant time. Warning was leaning
naek IN languii manner quite unusual
ohcle Sandyi' she cried, running into
the library; here IS Mr.. Warning returning
with Kenneth"
y wa say So. tTltN Mt. Craig, CATCH
Ing up both sticks, which always stood in
the corner beside his chair, and moving
with unusual rapdity to the front door
What's that tore"
Mona followed, her heart beating fast,
They both reached the steps rs Kenneth
pulled up.
Where's the gardeners" he cried, as he
threw the reins on the back of the old horse
ana spranG down. MIR Warning has met
with a bad accident, and can scarce get out
alone"
'Guid preserve usl what has happened2r
cried Mr.. Craig. "Rin--rin, and ca Rob
bic, he's back frae kis dinucrr'
Mona sped swiftly TO the garden without
y word
TITS = stupid business" said Warinc.
eheerfully, but in a faint voice. Il am
afraid shall be on your hands for some
time. Macalister will tell you all about il.
My right arm is broken"
Here the gardener came running up.
followed hy Mona ut a less rapid pace.
"HereI" exclaimed Kenneth, Ego to his
left, Robbie, put your arm on his shout
der, Warning. III help You on the i'll side"
4 think can get out we'll enough my
self"
But when he tried to move. Mona saw
that he WINGED and grew white. Il was
with great care and slowly that they man
aged 70 get him into ths house. Then ID
could Ia that ,.-.,- I,,,.