Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-20
CHAPTER XXv.-A DISCOVERY.

CHAPTER XXV.-A DISCOVERY.
Uncle Sandy had rarely appeared to such
advantage as he did on this occasion. Les
lie Warning was associated with perhaps
the only weIl-spring of romance that had
ever dubbed up for him in the somewhat
arid plan of'his life.
To him there were but two really great
men il modern society, they were Meceach-
ern & Leslie-the creators of the house
with which he was so proud TO $500. -----.
connected. To have the grandson of one
of these potentates under his roof, treating
him with kindly respect, and making him
self pleasantly at home, was treat to I'm
Gle Sandy's loyal, if rather tough heart.
Warnings character and bearing too was
calculated to gain upon such o nature as
his hosts Society of the higher order had
left its stamp upon his simple, unaffected
manners, and the ready courage with
which he turned from a life of mere pleas
ure to one of hard work, when he had still
enough left to idle on, delighted the sturdy
old imam of the people" Warlng was, to
his idea, sort of glorified incs,- nation of
middle-class merit, the result of plebeian
energy, which even conquered and appro-
priated the graces Of good-breeding.
This satisfaction was reflected on all
around him.
The monthly settlement of housekeeping
accounts-a crucial test which even Mona
dreaded-was accomplished without sin
gle growI. Poor Kenneth's arithmetical
errors were passed over with slight ex-
preston CT contempt, in the term "blun-
derin' gowk," and the contradictions of
Robbie Sanders, the gardener, were over
looked.
To Mona, this was al unaccOuntably de-
lightful break in the monotony of her eX-
istence To be good friends with Warning,
to see that he was better and a stronger
man than formerly, these were sources of
purest pleasure.
Then he was so very reasonable. He
worried her with no expressive looks or
words which insinuated lover-like feeling.
He liked her to read to him, or to write
for him; but he was nearly as well pleased
with the services of Miss Black, nearly
not quite; and when III a talkative mood,
he used to describe the wild beauty of his
Californian home quite eloquently. He
really had more in him than she at one
time could have believed. He had grown
quite good-looking too (Mona was keenly
alive to her exterior advantages, and she
often thought, as he lay back on the sofa
cushions, what an honest strong face he
had, and how much the thoughtful sub
expression of sadness it had developed,
beautified and ennobled it.
Then the temporary weakness of his
strong frame appealed to the tenderness Of
her most womanly heart; there was IN
doubtedly a friendly sympathy between
them. Her voice never sounded so sweet,
so expressive, as when she read or sung to
him. But they were rarely alone togeth-
er. Mary Black was not behindhand in
delicate attentions, and, as Kenneth OBJ
served, both young ladies We'd with each
other who should spoil the invalid most.
To Mary, however, most of his talk and
good-humOred chaf was directed. He
praised her songs loudly, and said but little
about MOna's, except now and then an i'm
ploring exclamation Of "Do go on" ''An-
other, please, another"
Uncle Sandy, however good-humored,
did not admit Of any neglect, and always
demanded an hour or more of Mona's time
after their early dinner, while she read to
him the better part of the famous Scots
man, and some portion of the Times week
ly edition, which reached them every Sat
urday. Sometimes Waring slept on the
drawing-room sofa during this exercise
sometimes he came to listen, while Mary
and Kenneth disappeared; but occasional
~ the former took her work and sat with
the ill mon" The murmur of theiI voices
while thus engaged, with occasional bursts
Of merriment, came through the door of
communication to Mona one afternoon, as
she toiled through a heavy leader on "mu-
nicipal' government, and presently Mary
put in her head.
"Mr. Waring says it's so fine and bright,
he would like little turn, and am going
with him. she said. I'VE will be down
the drive"
"Dinna let him do too muchr' cried I'm
Gle Sandy. eve Will come along and meet
you"
Waring was now permitted to take ex-
ercise, and was rapidly recovering.
What shall l read next?" asked Mona
"There is an article on the Soudan-"
''Naw," said her uncle-one of his most
negative news" which always seemed to
Mona as if / could stop torrent-and he
sat in thought for n-4hute; then he reused
himself
"I'm thinking" he said, ''that Mr.. Les
lie is growing overload of Mary Black.
They are aye at havers VII ane anither,
and l am no varra pleased. She's no match
for Leslie's grandson; and yet the 1assie
is guild lassie. l wadna see her vexed.
He is weel-spoken lad forbye-the sort to
win ony woman's love. Ell. Monas"
IT do not think Mary cares much about
him, uncle. Tastes differ widely, you
know. AS to her being no match for him,
you must remember that Mr.. Warning has
not much in the way of home to Offer
His"
"Hoot, tootl" he interrupted. "It Will
hA fair homo enough Young Leslie Il