Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-08-10
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'Ohl my fair side is accustomed to take
;are of itself very successfully"
Then may confess to a low-minded
hope that your uncle may ask me to din
uer?-though, by the way, am scarcely fit
to present myself"
"a hope 1 must nip IN the budl Wehave
dined:"
"Great powersl Well, I need not lose
this precious chance Of speaking to you.
suppose Ishau never see you except through
haze of Highland relations"
mo; it is not very likely"
"If you knew how anxious am to ask
you variety of questions, you would give
me some opportunity OF tete-G-tete.
you may ask as many as you like! l
have no secrets"
"Whatl does your uncle know you re-
fused Waring?"
'How did you know did?"
"Ohl know how desperately In love he
was, and it is currently reported that you
did, and that he went to the bad in conse-
quencer'
'Nonsenser' returned Mona, a grave,
hard expression replacing the smile which
had played round her lips. You and
/, Sir st. John Lisle, have seen enough of
the world we live in to know that women
seldom have sufficient influence to make
or mar any mans life"
II am not so surel fancy if any woman
ever had, you would be one of them"
considering the sort of women who are
most influential, do not think your opin-
ion flattering."
"Why, do you not think good women in
fuence us?'
Not often, fancy"
You have grown worldly wise since we
met, Mona"
docs an absence of nearly four years
make you more familiar with my name
than you used to be?' she asked. coldly.
Yes" he returned, looking down into
her eyes, because have thought CT you so
often, and called you Mona in my heart
since we parted"
Call me what you like In the inner reg
Ion you term heart but pray let your lips
conform to the usages 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
wilI not again offend"
ooh, / did not mean to rebuker' said
Mona, good-humoredly-"on to remind"
you have changed enOrmouslyp' re-
sumed Lisle. "You seem years older"
THANK you! That is arare 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 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
live here with these very excellent peoplep'
ION the contrary, feel quite at home.
l am fond of my uncle, because he is fond
of me, and find life quite endurable."
"DOyou always love those who love your"
Yes, always"
Except in poor Warnings case'"
THAT was the exception which proves
the rule. Probably l should have been
wiser had ! been conformed to your sound
advice, turning to HIM with frank, sweet
smile. but l cannot say I repent my re-
lection OF it."
81 fear" said Lisle, gravely, that you
no longer consider me a friend, as you
used?"
"On the contrary; am very pleased to
welcome such friend, after his long alb
senccW
"Thank YOU" and Lisle walked beside
her in silence for few minutes.
A few more unlmportant sentences
brought them to the house, where they
found Uncle Sandy enjoying forty winks,
while waiting till the darkness had deep
ened sufficiently to render the lamp neces-
sary. Mary was seated on the steps lead
ing to the garden, reading by the fast-fad-
ing light.
"Ehl what's wrang'" cried Uncle Sandy,
rousing up cOnfusedly.
'Sir st. John Lisle has come to see you.
uncle"
whats his wull7" in an irritated tone
81 am very sorry to disturb you; but
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."
mo, certainly not. May l leave you
couple of brace of grouse, Mr. Craigi They
are good plump birds"
81 am much obliged to you. They are
fine and digestible food. Where are theyS
''The gillie is just outside with my bag"
'MOna, ca Picnic to take themr'
"Then | will not trespass on you any
longer. Pray, young ladies'. do you not
feel disposed to put me on my way' The
moon is rising, and the walk back would
be charmingw
Mary looked at Mona, evidently ready to
return her good Offices if necessary, but
the other laughed, and said they could en-
joy the view from the window without the
trouble of walking. Lisle reproached both
for refusing his request, and bidding them
a gay goodnight, departed on his home
ward road.
"Aweel, l did ma want to hear he had
nae letter." murmured Uncle Sandy "Pd
rather have my bit doze than a the birdiesV'
and settled to his nap again.
"Ah!' whispered Mary Black, otis not
the letter that brought him here. l am
afraid but you are d hard-hearted lassie,
Monal He is a handsome, grand-looking
gentleman"
''He is not nearl as good-looking az
Kenneth" said Mona, laughing at Mary's
evident delightin the discovery she thought
she had made.
Meanwhile Isle walked rapidly down
hill In the direction of the hotel where he
and his friend put up, and thinking very
earnestly of the interview he had just had.
CHAPTER XE-EDGED TOOLS.
It was, on the whole, bright time at
Craigdarroch. Mona found Mary a very
pleasant cOmpanion-a quiet, kindly, sensi-
bic girl, whose hearty admiration and pro-
found faith was gratifying tribute to her
new friend. Uncle Sandy's uneasy pride
had perhaps never before been so satisfac-
torily fed, and. like all things thus satiated,
was lulled to sleep for the present. If at
any time the currents of his temper flowed
from the east. it was against Kenneth they
chafed; and Kenneth was more inflexible
than formerly. 1t was a great relief to
Mona to have partner in her readings
and writings and general care of Uncle
Sandy. Moreover, Mary had learned to
play chess with her father, the school
master, and allowed herself to be beaten
with much ENTHUSIASTICALLY winning to
keep up the illusion.
Amid this temporary tranquility and
comfort, Mona wrote often to her dear,
kind Deb. She made, however very slight
mention Of Lisle; but slight as it was. 1t
sufflCed to set Nine. Debrisay off
Your letter, as usual, reached me on
SATURDAY | can't tell You how look for
ward Co It; and it's IfSe YOU dear 10 be so
faithful in writing. Is it not queer turn
your meeting that nice, elegant Captain
Iisle away there in the wilds. | always
thought and always will think that he
was great admlrer of YOURS: and il he