Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26


for mew exclaimed Mona, much amused
why, uncle, you would not care to see
me enrolled among the aristocrats fol
whom you have so much contemplated
then there is Kenneth What is to become
of him?''
'Aweel, you see, Gamma turn things up
side doom, whatever my convictions may
be; so while these ridiculous distinctions
continue, it's no so bad to have a share o.
them. AS to Kenneth" he waved his
hand, ''you say yourself he does ma carr
for We. We could find him another wife;
and as my lord doesna want ony portion
VII you, could give a" to Kenneth
Il am sure you and Lord FitzaIlan are
very good in arranging for my future; but
do you know that Lord FitzaIIan is in the
habit Of proposing for every woman he
meets, whether in q ballroom or behind q
counter?-that he is a haif-witted drunk
ard, only kept within decent bounds by
the watchfuI care OF his famiIy?-that he
has not farthing he can call his own, and
his father viii not continue his allowance
If he marries? Do you know all this?"
'Nawp exclaimed Uncle Sandy, "and ]
will not believe it. He told me he was
ready to make handsome settlements; to
u.
to have couple o. rooms always ready for
me at Fitzallan Towers, for he was sure
Lord Lynebridge that's the earl his
father, would enjoy a crack wiz me, as he
is an advanced Liberal, - and the old mans
voice grew unsteady with eagerness.
Mona was greatly distressed that her
uncle should be so possessed with this I'M
possible scheme, and disappointed to find
him Gu foifbTacC To hi Ov--,, y,,-i,,
They talked long and earnestly. At
length Mr.. Craig began to see that his
splendid air-castle was baseIess; his good
humor vanished, and with it Mona's pow
ers of pleasing. He complained of head
ache and rheumatism, pain in the heart,
oppressed breathing, faintness, and many
other painful symptoms. He insisted on
sending for M. lie Directeur and the doc
tor, and dined in his own room.
Mona did not appear in public either,
and Everard confscated a charming bou-
quet Of roses Lord Fitzallan was dispatch
ing to her, and bestowed it in his own
name on the delighted Miss Clapton.
In the course Of the evening a curious,
Wildly-Written and iL-speIledl letter reached
Mona from his lordshlp's pen, in which he
professed the most ardent admiration for
y
eral charms, and declaimed against the
cruel plots Of heartless relatives against
his liberty I happiness.
This Mona tore up, and leftunansWered.
She took an opportunity, however, of in
forming BERTHE Everard of the occurrence.
Finally, the evening before she and Mr..
craig left Contrexeyille, Lord Fitzallan, in
the absence of his valet and his cousin, got
L I rOfI
of some wild antics. which conyinced-but
by no means consoled-Uncle Sandy.
CHAPTER xvI.-THE sERPENT's TOOTH.
On the whole, Alexander Craig's retreat
from Contrexeville was sudden, and barely
in good order. He was not a little crest
fallen by the complete collapse of the bril-
liant hopes which had dawned upon him
for a moment. The excellent effect of the
treatment and waters, however, had re-
stored his elasticity, so that his sulIenness
and irritable depression did not last very
long.
BY the time they reached Strasbourg and
were comfortably settled in good hotel,
he began to talk of making plans; maps
and guide-baoks were brought out, and
the old man frightened up when he found
Msna was highly pleased at the idea of
seeing Switzerland.
She was a very efficient assistant, look
ing up the railway fares counting the cost,
and calculating the difference between for
eign and English money.
And SO uncle and niece set out on a pill
grimage, visiting by very slow degrees the
most interesting places in Switzerland and
on the Rhine
In this tour we will not attempt to fol-
low; are not these places, their histories
and attractions, written in the books Of
Murray and of Baedeker?
For the winter they rested at Dresden,
where Uncle Sandy was both comfortable
and happy in the society Of a Presbyterian
minister OF soanj views, who taught Mr..
Craig chess. a great resource, if sometimes
a little irksome to Mona.
So autumn, winter, and spring passed By,
and midsummer was close at hand.
To Mime. Debrisay the loss Of her dear
companion was a real bereavement
Mona's letters were her greatest comfort,
and, need it be said with what welcome
joy she received q letter from Mona an
nouncing that she and her uncle would be
in London on the tWenty-second.
1t was fine, glowing evening when, in
her prettiest cap, she awaited the arrival
of the travellers, having assisted to lay the
table and make the place look neat and
pretty. OF course those watched for were
late, or seemed to be; but at last a cab,
laden with luggage, drew up to the gate,
and the next moment Mona was in her
friends arms
''Me darlin' child! Ihaye been that lone
ly without you! And you are looking right
WELL but terribly sunburned"
a hearty kiss, and then she went to
greet Mr.. Craig, who descended from the
cab with more alertness than she had ever
seen him show before
Delighted to see you looking quite a
new man, my dear Mr.. Craig!'' she cried,
a genuine look Of pleasure dancing in her,
bright, dark eyes, as she shook hands with
him heartily. ''Welcome back, after all
these long months!"
Thank We, thank yep he returned,
pleased with the warmth Of her greeting.
Pm not sorry to be back again. I hope
you are weel?'
eyes, quite well! l am an evergreen.
Mr.. Macaister has been good enough to
come to cheer me up occasionally. Very
kind Of him to trouble about an old wo-
man. Glad to see you. Go inside, Mr.
Craig, your nephew and will settle with
the cabman."
ma, ma! III just pay him myself"
This done, Nine. Debrisay and Mona had
a few precious moments to themselves,
and then the party sat down to high tea,
with the sense of enjoyment arising from
the mixture of familiarity and complete
change.