Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-16

Finistoun, as she hesitated. mo, you did
notl Now, dare say you are sorry for it?''
81 am very sorry panied him, but am
very glad 1 did not marry him. 1t would
have been bad for both of u.s."
perhaps so. At any rate he is gone to
the bad, SO some one was telling me. He
lost heaps Of mon yon horses and at Monte
Carlo; and he got % an awfully fast set;
then he disappeared. They say he was
last seen blowing or breaking horses, OF
some such thing. in Texas. So, after all,
he might have ruined you as well as him
self if you had married him"
SIT grieves me to hear such an account
Of him." replied Mona, after a few mo-
ment's silence. HE was kind and gener-
Gus, and deserved better woman than
ann
Then came leaye-taking, and the visitors
drove off as the soft gloom of an autumnal
night began to deepen in the east
"Doyou mind walking back by yourself?''
asked Kenneth. 81 am going up the hill
a bit to speak word to Allan, the shep-
herd"
ooh, no. I am only few steps from ou1
own road, and there is nothing to fear
among these delightful hills.'
s"That's true I'll be back before sup
per-" and Kenneth went swiftly on, with 8
free, swinging step.
The sound of his football had hardly died
away when another caught Mona's ear,
and seemed to gain upon her. In spite Of
her assertion that 'there was nothing to
fear" she felt an odd uneasiness that,
thought not absolutely fear, was unpleas-
ant; nor was she surprised when a voice
hob cold
Craigl [ did not hope to find you so far
afield." Then she was obliged to pause to
turn and greet Isle, who soon overlook
her. He carried gun on his shoulder,
and was followed by gillie with a game
bag.
''This is a piece Of Iuckl was shooting
in this direction, so thought of taking
Craigdarroch on my way back, to tell your
uncle that have had no reply from Bal
muir"
Mona was annoyed at this rencontre
She wanted to walk back alone in undis-
turbed thought. The report Of Warning she
had just heard had affected her. She was
so sorry for him! And now came Lisle to
stir up the less worthy side of her nature
for Mona was by no means an angel all
round IF, as he seemed disposed to do, he
again tried to amuse a passing hour by
making love to her, she would accept it in
& spirit Of fun which should show out at
intervals. II" should never f1atter himself
a:rEiH ,i!t he made any serious impression
~ or
"Can not take the message for you?"
The said, looking up, with demure smile.
1T is steep road to climb after your days
ramp over the moor"
"What! and leave your fair side all I'M
guarded, lady?"
"Oh! my fair side is accustomed to take
care of itself very successfully"
'Then may 1 confess to a low-minded
hope that your uncle may ask me to din
ner?-though, by the way, am scarcely fit
to present myself"
"A hope must nip in the bud! We have
dined."
"Great powersl Well, need not lose
this precious chance of speaking to you.
suppose shall never see you except through
haze of Highland relations"
mo; it is not very likely"
IF you knew how anxious I am to ask
you variety Of questions, you would give
me some opportunity of a tete-a-tete.
You may ask as many as you ikel
have no secrets.'
''Whatl does your uncle know you re-
fused Warings"
"How did you know did?"
"Ohi I know how desperately in love he
was. and it is currently reported that you
did, and that he went to the bad in conse-
quencep'
"Nonsenser' returned Mona, a grave,
hard expression replacing the smile which
had played round her lips. "You and
s-C TIL r ,c1a -
the world we live in to know that women
seldom have sufficient influence to make
or mar any mans life.'
81 am not so surel Ifancy if any woman
ever had, you would be one of them"
considering the sort of women who are
most influential, I do not think your opin-
ion fattering."
"Why, do you not think good women in
fuence us?"
mot often, I fancy"
"You have grown worldly wise since we
met, Mona"
Does an absence of nearly four years
make you more familiar with my name
than you used to be?" she asked, coldly.
EYES," he returned, looking down into
her eyes. because have thought of you so
often, and called you Mona in my heart
since we parted.'
Call me what you like in the inner reg
len you term heart, but pray let your lips
conform to the useges of this mundane So
ciety in which we live and move and have
our being" she said, carelessly.
81 accept your rebuke," he said, "and
will not again offend"
ooh, did not mean to rebuke!" said
Mona, good-humoredly-"o to remind"
"You have changed enormouslyp' re-
sumed Lisle. 'YUu seem years older"
"Thank you! That is a rare compliment"
81 will not be chaffed into retracting it,
meant that you seemed more mature;
and | find, as always do, that the fruit is
more heavenly sweet than even the bios
SOM"
yet I imagine that anticipation is al
ways better than fruition,' said Mona,
quite unmoved by the implied compliment.
They walked a few steps in silence, then
Isle exclaimed
'What Punishment it must be for you to
whats his wull?" in an irritated tone.
81 am very sorry to disturb you; but I
did not like to pass your house without
calling to say that have had no answer
as yet to my letter, so we will keep well
this side of the supposed boundary. and
get into no trouble, till the matter is de-
cided"
''Weel, it Gamma be helpit.n
mo, certainly not. May leave you q
couple of brace of grouse, Mr.. Craig? They
are good plump birds"
81 am much obliged to you. They are
fine and digestible food. Where are they?'
live here with these very excellent people!'
''On the contrary, feel quite at home.
/ am fond of my uncle, because he is fond