Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-21
MONA'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

MY dear; you do look bad! Conc. get
into the cab. viii find your things"
Il have only this small portmanteau and
bonnet-box for the present"
That's right. I am sure you are not fit
to be out in such weather: get in, dear"
II must post this letter first, y sail Mona,
her lips quiyering.
very well. Give it to me. Oh, yes;
quite right" Glancing at the address.
You must keep him Informed of your
whereabouts. It's hard times for him,
poor fellow, all this delay" The long
drive to Westbourne Villas passed almost
in silence on MOna's side. To Nine. Deb
risay silence was abLorrent and she poured
out much information respecting the
changes she had made in her dwelling
the additional pupils promised her next
month II am glad l have the rest of this
one comparatively free. / can give little
time to you my dear child. And here we
are, thank Godl You VIII be the better
Of a cup of tea
Mona was, indeed, thankful to have, SO
Tar, accomplished her purpose as to be I'M
der the roof of her only sympathetic friend;
but her heart tainted within her at the
thought of the confession she had to make
II Nine. Debrisay refused to harbor her,
what was she to do? Meantime that busy
woman fitted.to and fro. She stirred the
already glowing fire, made the kettle boil
up, infused the tea, and cut brown bread
and butter with immense energy.
''There now" said madame, placing a
small table with cup &C tea and plate of
bread and butter beside her young guest,
''taIe that, and get warmed. Then you
say your say, for | can see your heart is
full It's like a ghost you are-an uneasy
ghost, dear, that has It contriyed to de-
liver its message"
II have no doubt Of it, . returned Mona,
with a faint smile. ''YOu describe what I
feel myself to be exactly"
Nine Debrisay looked ut her with kind
compassiOnating eyes, and stirred her own
tea Iectively-remaining silent for an
unusual length Of time.
"Now," she said, when the rejection was
ffnishcd-"now, come, open your heart to
me, dear, for know you are in trouble"
~ am, indeed" returned Mona, in 4
voice that faltered and shook in way far
more touching than the most violent burst
of tears II have determined to break off
my engagementr'
'And you within day Of being his wife,
il your dear sainted grandmother hadn't
been swept away in a minutel No, IWCn't
listen TO you. It's mad and bad, and not
like yourself at all! Who'd have Thought
you'd be 50 cruel and false? 1 must say it,
dear! Indeed, | knew there was misfor-
tune coming, since l had your note. Ali
my poor Waring! you deserved better at
her handsr'
Il knew you would be angry" said Mona
sadly, "but | cannot help it. [ cannot
marry him, or any one. Life is too hardp'
''Ah! then do you think you'll make it
softer by keeping single? l know better.
Life is cruel to q single woman that's poor,
and pretty, and delicately reared, as you
are. How do you mean to live? What
can you do to earn a crust?n
mot much, certainly; but 1 have the
will, and / am persevering; and don't
speak so cruelty, Deb, for l feel heart
broken"
"God forgive mer' said madame, solemn
~. ''He knows / would share my last loaf
with you, and will, too; but / am angry
with you, my darling. You are flying in
the face of Providence, and driving an ex-
cellent young man to an early grave"
Il 10 not think that, Deb. Nay, 1 sup
pose III il month or two he will be in love
with someone else. l do not think he is
the sort of man who will destroy himself
for an ideal,'
Tel me the truth, Mona, my dear child.
Are Won in love with anothcr-some poor
creatur. yoa cua'J ;narry2'
No. III truth am not There is not q
man on tie face OF tho earth at this mo-
ment I would willingly marry"
- believe You, for I never knew you
speak falsely YETI but there il something
under it all | cunt make out Now, listen
to me- If you ever cared for your dear,
good, generous grandmother don't be in a
hurry; just say your prayers and think
Believe me, it's awfuliy hard to pick up a
living, especially when you haven't any
one to take you by the hand. Take a day
or two to think what you're doing"
81 have done it, Deb,' stretching out her
hand and laying it on her friends plump
arm ''You posted the letter to him your
self, just now"
'.Ah! that was base of you-base, to take
my hand to deal the blow. I'll never fox
give you, neverlf'
Eyes, you will-you must" rising and
kneeling beside her, while she clasped her
arms round her waist. Il have no one In
the world to turn to but you, Deb, and !
cannot marry this mani cannot, indeed?'
Don't be too sure of that. Now tell me,
have you told Lady Mary"
Not yet l thought would wait till |
had his answer"
That's right. He'll come and speak his
answer himself, or 1 am much mistaken,
and-well, we'll wait and see what it will
be-"
He will not hold me to my word?"
81 am not so sure Any way, I'll talk nc
more to you about him this day. You are
Just tired and done for. Well leave the
matter to Heaven; and you must rest. Dc
you remember what you said in your un-
lucky letter?''
Eyes told him 1 was driven by my
audmother's position to accept him; that
| was heartily ashamed of having misleC
him; that felt it was only just to tell hin
that | did not and could not, love him a:
wife ought to love; that deeply deploreC
the pain | gave him. and humbly begged
his forgiveness; that thanked him for hi:
goodness, and prayed that he would for
get me, and soon be happy with some ont
more worthy than myself"
''Ah! know-the usual sort of thing
It would serve you right if he never re
piled. All! Mona, Mona! this is the big
gest mistake ever you made. Still, Tllno
turn my back on you, my poor child AM
may be-may be your luck won't leave yo1
yet"
CHAPTER YI.-THE TUG OF WAR.
The change from the luxurious eleganc
of the Chase to Nine. Debrisay's Londo
lodgings, was about as great as can b
imagined.
Yet the house was not mean. TIL
widow woman who owned it had a Gel