Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-12
ot addressing anyone in particular

1
her bread. That's not the right spirit
''But, uncle" said Mona, who was look
| ing for the city article in the Times. Eve
Ign was always fond of me-. She is not
responsible for what her people did,
''Ehl They are all birds of the same
feather. I'd have nowt TO do VII Them
Lady Finistoun sought me, uncle It
would have been ungracious to reject her
advances"
"Oh gang yer ain gate The young al
ways know better than the old and exper-
fenced"
Mona did not reply, and there was q
pause. She found the article she had been
looking for, and had just begun TO read
when Uncle Sandy stopped her, exclaim-
ing
'Bide a bit. want to speak to you"
she laid down the newspaper, little
| alarmed at the ominous beginning
Tell me truth, ;" he resumed. '|How are
| you paid for your singing Iessons?"
oh, mine are merely preparatory les
sons, so I Go not get much"
! ''Ay, but how much?'
Three shillings a lesson, or thirty for
twelve"
Hum! hal wellp'-pulling out his purse
| there are three soYereigns for you.
Madame told me you put of some pupils
that ye might give your time to me, and l
can nae forget it. doubt if anyone ever
did SO much for me before. Now [ don't
want you to suffer loss through me.
There, take the gowd; ye're welcome. Be
fore that is gone, yen may be find other
| pupils"
| But, Uncle Sandy, 1 would rather not!
| Indeed, would rather nOtI [ am sure I
| shall soon fin1 other pupils, and-and /
have little money of my own-more than
a hundred and twenty pounds. was quite
ready to give up the lessons that 1 might
be with you. You were not fit to be left
| alone will not take the money"
Nor will l take it back
You must, indeed" she persisted.
"Hoot toot! A young creature like you
needn't hesitate to take it from her nearest
of kin. Here, pit it in yer pocket"
LET US make bargain, uncler' she
cried, gayIy. II do not want the money
now, but when do, I'll ask for it."
''Ay, bat I misdoubt me if you will: YOU
| have too much pride Not but that | like
your Independent spirit-that comes from
| the Craigs. I'll just pit up the money in a
bit paper, and it will be ready whenever
| you want it.
''Thank you, uncle. I will ask for it If
[ want it; but hope shall not Shall I
read now?"
''Ay, and dinna 80 too fast"
But the lecture did not seem to give sat
isfactiOn till she came to the Price Cur
| REM" when some OF the quotations seemed
TO arouse a keen and pleasurabla interest
in her nearer.
'Ay," lie rA@tfe~ed. Spanish four
cents, forty-ei,..t ana Il quarter. ex-divi.
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 Sawbath."
He said he was going to church with
his friend, young Macleod, and was to sup
with him after"
Hes always AVA when he is wanted.
Write him a note; nay, a half-penny card
will do as well. Tell him-stay, Fll 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
S0rder.''
Just so, uncle When in Rome, do as
Rome does''
'Ay; when will q note reach him?'
Il dare say at ten tomorrow morning."
THAT will do fine. Give me my book
and the ink. [ Gamma afford to lose time !"
With many q muttered, inarticulate
self-addressed comment and a more dis
tinct complaint Of his dim eyes, his IN
steady hand, his general debility and rapid
decline, he managed to fill two sides of
note-paper, which he put in an envelope
and carefully fastened it up, requesting
Mona to address it to her cousin. Then he
sat silently watching her.
yell send it safe and sure to the post?"
Certainly; will go myself. The ser
want is out and so is Madame Debrisay-
/ The post-pillar is within hundred yards. :"
LAY, do-that's a kind Iassie; and you'll
come back to me? / am yarra weary the
night! Eli, but am worn VII poor health
MAR than VII years"
Mona returned Immediately, but was re-
| ceived with silenc The old man seemed
wrapped in thought from which he only
reused himself to go to bed.
The next evening, and the next, Ken
meth was closeted with his uncle. After
these interviews, he stayed but avery short
| time with Nine. Debrisay and Mona-nor
| did they seem to exercise an enlivening 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.
''And no WONDER" added the kindly
| Irish woman "rm sure I'd rather gointo
a den of raging lions, than face your uncle
! if wanted money from him. l am sorry
to say it, but it's wicked to grab money
as tight as he does; and I like the young
man, though don't like to see him come
between his uncle and yourself"
81 do not fancy Kenneth has debt or a
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, and they were soon on their
way to their favorite recreation ground,
| KensinGton Gardens.
| Kenneth was unusually Silent He an
| swered Mona'S +" marks as briefly as posi-
BILE, seeming embarrassed and preOccuDied
| At leneth, having skirted the round pond,
| they slackened 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. Il fancy you have something on
your mind. think you might tell me.
You know take an interest in you, and
sympathize with you"
"Ah! that's just what my uncle says.
He wants me to marry you, and cannot,
| Mona. l cannot, indeedl I have pledged
my troth to another young lady, and could
not break my word.'
Mona stopped short in utter amazement
and looked straight at her companion.
How very unl1ind of your she eXclaim