Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-07-06

dend That's good; time to sell Hum!
Union Pacific, three fourths down: that
will do Where is Kenneth, He hasn't
come nigh US this Siwbath."
He said he was going to church with
his friend, young Macleod, and was to sap
with him after"
He's always ava when he is wanted.
Write him note: nay, half-penny card
will do as we'll Tell him-stay, I'll write
myself, though it is the Sawbath. There
are some things will ma keep, and the
Lords Day is not the same this side of the
border"
Just so, uncle When in Rome. do as
Rome does"
''Ay; when will a note reach him?'
81 dare say at ten tomorrow morning"
THAT will do fine. GIVE me my book
and the ink. l Gamma afford TO lose time.
With many Il muttered, inarticulate,
srli-addressed comment, and more dis
tinct complaint Of his dim eyes, his I'M
steady hand, his general debility and rapid
decline, he managed to fill two sides of
note-paper, which lie put in an envelope
AMI carefully fastened it up, requesting
Mona to address it to her cousin. Then he
sat silently watching her.
"Ye'll send it safe and sure to the pOst?'
Certainly; will 90 myself. The ser
want is out, and s. is Madame ID ,brisay-
The post pillar is within a hundred yards"
LAY, dO-that's a kind lassie; and you'll
come back to me? | am varra weary the
night, f., but am worn wi poor health
mair than wi years
Moul returned Immediately. but was re-
ceIved with silence. The old man seemed
wrapped in thought, from which he only
reused himself TO go to bed.
Tne next evening, and the next, Ken
meth was closeted with his uncle. After
these interviews. he stayed but very short
time with Nine. Dabrisay and Mona-nor
did they seem to exercise an enliventng eff
feet on the young Scot; indeed, Nine. Deb
risay remarked upon his depression, and
surmised that he was in debt, and afraid
to ask his uncle for help.
"Ani no wonder" added the kindly
Irish women. Pm sure I'd rather gointo
den of raging lions, than face your uncle
if wanted money from him. | am sorry
to say it. but it's wicked to grab money
rs tight as he does; and 1 like the young
man. though don't like to see him come
between his uncle and yourself"
81 do not fancy Kenneth has a debt or
money difficulty in the world; but he does
seem to have something on his mind.'
The following Sunday was fine and crisp,
though still, and Kenneth came immedi-
ately after the early dinner, and asked
Mona to take walk with him, She read
| lily complied, AMI they were soon on their
way to their favorite recreation ground,
| kensingtOn Gardens.
Kenneth was unusually silent. He an
swerea Mouas remarks as briefly rs posi-
BILE. seeming embarrassed and prcoccuDied.
At len-tA, having skirted the round pond,
| they slucNencl their pace as they got I'M
der the shelter of the trees, and walked
down the wide glade toward the Serpen-
| tine.
"What Is the matter, KENNETH" she
| asked. 81 fancy you have something on
! your mind. think you might tell me.
You know take an interest il you, and
| sympathizs with you"
"Ah! that's just what my uncle says.
lie wants me to marry you, and [ cannot,
Mona. | cannot, indeed! | have pledged
my troth TO another young lady, and could
| not break my word"
Mona stopped short in utter amaZement,
| and looked straight ut her companion.
! How very unkind of your she cXclaim-
| ed. 81 did not think you would re jet me-
Eth? That's what my uncle says He
| believes you are very fond of me, but |
cannot see it; and, oh! Mona, he swcars he
| will leave all his money away from both
| of us if we don't marry; and | will never
| call any woman wife but my sweet Mar
| little Mary Black-the school-master's
| daughter"
\ kindly, amused smile slowly dimpled
| round MOna'S mouth.
Dill yOu tell him so?"
We'll, | daren't, you see. | have had
| hopes that he (UncIe Slndy) would help
mel mean us-for think he meant me
| to be his heir before he met you."
believe mr, Kenneth, | will not inter
| fere with you. Now, Ill help you to the
| best of my ability; but first-please to pro
| pose to ne in due form"
| You understand I am pledged to Mary"
''Do not mention her at present"
well, then; will you marry me Mona?'
mo, Kenneth. l feel honored by your
offer, but | decidedly decline. There, now,
| the blame of disObedience rests with me.
You can tell Uncle Sandy that l refused
| you"
"You are a clever dell Mona, and kind.
| but this is not varra honest"
We so foolish as to turn matchmaker.
Now he will attack me- and | can take
| care of myself You can keep quiet, and
| by and by-when | have utterly refused
| you-then propose to marry your ain true
/ love- and my uncle will yield. | feel with
and for You. and will do my best to help
you. We will manage Uncle Sandy Now,
| for the rest of our walk, you shall tell me
all about Mary from the very first"
Then must begin at the beginning of
my life, for Mary is just bound up with ;"
"Go on said Mona looking up in his
face, with sunny smile, and Kenneth
went on" considerably. He felt new
creature when he was thus enabled to I'M
| bosom himself. Thoughts uttered seemed
50 much stronger than they do while Turk
| ing in the shadowy reCesses of the heart
by the time they reached WestbOurne
| Villas, lie had talked himself into con
! Viction that his wedding wac not so far off
after all. But at the garden gate terrible
| reality grasped him and looked him in the
| face. Within those walls Uncle Sandy
awaited him.
He will be awful angry. Mona" whis-
! pered Kenneth, pausing before he rang the
! bell
| Il dare say he wilr'-Qt was not neces-
! sary to name the object of their dread)-
| but you must throw all the blame on me
remember, Kenneth, it is quite true. If
there was no Mary in the case | could nOo
/ marry YOU
There will be somebody else then" he
said. with innocent conceit.
| Never mind about that. Kenneth
! Think 81 if YOU like; but do not be too pos
| tive with Uncle Sandy. If he chooses to
| hope a little let him"
! When they went in, Mona retired to take
| off her cloak and hat, and Kenneth with
slow, reluctant steps, went up to face I'm
| Gle Sandy.
oh, Deb.' cried Mona, throwing her
self into chair beside that good lady.
| who, on the door being opened. hastily hid
| the stocking she had been darning under
the table. "Oh, Deb, support me! have
been cruelty and heartlessly rejected by
| Kenneth Macalister."
why. Grand Dicu, What do YOU
mean asked Nine. Debrisay, impatient
| ly, while she hunted vigorously for her
needle "Ah! here it isl Now don't talk
| riddles and conundrumS."
Whereupon Mona repeated the substance
of her conversation with Kenneth.
! why, what has come to that cantank-
erous cripple, your uncle, that he should
think of such Il marriage for youe That
| long-lcgged Highlander isn't fit to Wire
your sEOes-a creature that has only ex-
lab 4 hi