Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14
MONA'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

Warning caught her hand and looked
eagerly ut her. For one dread moment
her heart tainted within her Was ne GO
ING to ask for a kiss? If he had aspired to
such favor, he wisely postponed the de-
mand ard again pressing her long. slight
fingers to his lips he left the room.
Mona assembled the stairs very slowly
and deliberately, painfully conscious that
she had fully committed herself It now
remained to complete the sacrifice by as
Stunning a cheerful aspect before her grand
mother. Then, when she had satisfied
her, she might escape to regulate her own
thoughts. to face the situation she had ac-
cepted.
''Weu, Mona?" said Mrs. Newburgh,
looking eagerly with her pitiful eyes into
her granddaughter face as she approach
e1, while her thin, tTemulous hands grasp
ed the arms of her chair nervously.
well. dear grannie," sitting down by
her and taking one Of her hands in both
her own, Il haze heard all Mr.. Waring
had to say, and have promised to marry
him"
Mrs. Newburgh did not reply. She
pressed Alona's hand, and, leaning back in
her chair tie tension of her muscles re-
Taxed, and a peaceful expression stole over
her face.
You have done well Mona" she said,
after minutes silence. "You viii yet
thank me for urging you to this. Yet
did not urge; l only recommended you"
'"That was all. Mr.. Warning and [ have
been making our confessions. | told him
that was not in love with him, and that
had we not met with such a reverse in for
tune, l should probably have refused him;
and he told me that he had not been too
steady, and was addicted to gambling"
''YOu were imprudent, Mona. it is not
wise to be too frank with the man you are
going to marry. He, no doubt, win over
look everything now; but wait till the first
cloud comes between you, and he will re-
mind you that you did not care for him"
81 think Mr.. Waring is man who would
forgive anything except deceit; and as [
have nothing to hide, shall try to be alb
Golutely truthful with him"
eyes, it is best; but, Mona, he truthful
with me. Are you quite free from any
fancy for-for anyone else?"
"Perfectly free, dear grannie,' this very
steadily.
''Thank GodP' calculated Mrs. New
burghl You have always been u sensi-
BILE, cOol-headed girl, and firmly believe
you will be a prosperous, happy woman.
Your conduct in this matter has repaid me
for al | have DONE"
1T is very sweet to hear you say So"
said Mona, gently.
Tell me" resumed Mrs. NeWburgh, lis
Mr.. Waring anxious that his marriage
should take place soon?"
"He is; he begged me to say so when
speaking to you. He left me to see Sir
Robert Everard, and consult with him"
"That is well. lie is our nearest of kin
in town. Do not oppose this excellent
young mans desire for a speedy union,
Mona. There's many a slip 'twixt cup
and lip"
'Young!" repeated Mona, dreamily. ''He
is almost too young for me"
"Nonsenscr cried Mrs. Newburgh with
something Of her former briskness. He
must be seven or eight years older than
you are. What more would you want?"
HE seems a kind of oyergrown school
bOy-S0 unfinished and undecided. [ feel
quite an old woman of the world near him. :"
80 much the better. The superior ripe
ness Of your nature viii give you influence
over him. But / do not think he is so
much boy rs you fancy. know he is a
fayorite among men, and that always is q
good sign"
And SO on for half an hour and more
Mrs. Newburgh was quite talkative; she
arranged her granddaughter future
household, greatly to her own satisfac-
ton, and settled the amount of pin money
she ought to have.
At last Mona was set free to commune
with her own heart in her chamber where
she sat very still REVIEWING her brief MAST
and trying to sketch the probable future.