Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-06-22
MONA'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

S.fh. tlays and weeks flew past, and
Mona. with the blessed frcility of youth,
be .an to revive A simple life, plenty to
do. the society OF II kindly and amusing
rcmpaHiJn, are wholesome tOnics. Nine.
Dehr.suy was extremely amusing. she
mad been largely educated by observation.
She was at once skeptical and credulons;
her mind was utterly untrained-yet a GER
tain keen mother wit and larse"ess OF
heart made her Judgment, on the whole,
clear. She was still quick in temper,
though it had been much cha;ttncd, and
also extremely resentful of small Sights.
Things had settled down to a regular
routine. The depth OF the winter was
over, and Parliament had met, and Mona
had nearly as much to do as she could &C
complish without fatigue, though she was
quite willing to do more. Madame even
talked of making little excursion TO the
side at the dead season, if things con-
timed to prosper.
Mona was returning late one afternoon,
after one Of her busiest days. She was
weary, but more hopeful, though she was
thinking how this time last year she was
looking forward TO the mingled joy and
terror Of being presented. 1t was little
hard to be so suddenly dragged down, and
carried away from all the gayeties and
pleasures, the society and distinction, that
she had enjoyed Il few months ago, and to
which she felt she should never return.
Yet there was no bitterness in her regret;
she felt that she was singularly fortunate
in having found such n friend and such
home.
Her reflections were suddenly broken In
upon by Il familiar voice eXclaiming-"By
Jovet it is Mona! Mona Joscelynr' and
she found her further progress barred by
BERTHE Eyerard Sir Roberts only son, who
was studying law, having no military pro
cIivities, and thinking legal knowledge
would be useful in managing the family
estate which was by no means flourishing
under his fathers munificent rule.
''Berticl | never dreamed of meeting
y0u," as though the ban which had fallen
on her had been "banishment"-tha an
encounter between two inhabitants of the
same town had been thereby rendered i'm
possible.
Nor did !. thought you had emigrat-
cd, or been sent to penitentiary, or some
such thing. You see, when anyone drops
out of sight in London, it Is such "A drop in
the ocean. that he or she leaves no trace
tell me all about yourself. Evy has wept
gallons over you. She wanted to write,
and the Lord knows what, but my mother
strictly forbade her You are an awful
black sheep, you know lost mutton"
cor course am" said Mona, smiling.
She understood her cousins dry bluntness.
But you must acknowledge | have kept
out Of sight and not troubled you"
* anita Npyy | have met
you, am amazed to find You still exist.
How have you managed it, Mona,"
why trouble about details2 | exist,
md want uothiug-that Is enough. Now,
tell me some news. How is your dear
mother, She was always so goodH
She is exceedingly flourishng aud busy,
for Evelyn Is going TO be married very
good match-to Lord Finistoun. He is a
pleasant, casy-gOing fellow-rather an ass,
but that will suit Eyy. She hasn't much
brains herself"
"Ihc has sense enough not to think she
has all the brains Of the family, as you do,
BcrIc."
Yes, | do, and am no great things af-
ter all Your troubles have not taken the
sharp cdgr of your tongue, Miss Joscelyn,"
hc sntd, laughng.
"Thcrc Is no Miss Joscclyn now. have
resumed my poor fathers name. II is
more suited to my fortunes and fancy"
by Juyei And what is IT. Craig UNI
It. was queer notion of Mrs. Ncwburgh's
to suppress it. suppose you haven't heard
or seen anything of Waring2'
No; Of course not"
Nor anyone else either Can't think
what's become of him. Some one dtd say
lac was training colt for the Derby. |
dare say he is glad enough now that you
have broke with him. Can't understand
why IN IN marry must be an awful bore
II have no doubt he is obliged to me"
"And you are dcucedly sorry you gave
him the chance, cht'
''You would not believe me IL denied it -
'WrU. no, would not, though you are
a rum sort Of "A girl, Mona. always
liked you You say what you think, and
you held your own with that grandmother
of yours who was ~ big II tyrant rs | have
met! You are n fool, too, in many ways
ready To cut your own throat for an idea;
bat there's something taking about you
never thought 81 John I.iSlr would lose
his head rs he did on your account. had
II letter from him some tInr agn--psked
why lac had not seen your marriage AN
nouuccd-ilskcd 1t IN postscript always
n bad sgnof womauish weakness. Where
do you live, for Heavens sallr2 We must
he approaching the far west"
DO not come any furt her, Brrie- you
will die of fatigue"
NO, will not, but you will. il it's II few
miles further out; let me secure Il cab, be
fore we leave the haunts of civilization be
hind MS"
"a think ten minutes more will bring us
la la hItt IL.
amiablc candor, would rather YOU did not
come"
All, hut l will. | am determined, to
see your lair"
well. cannot prevent YOU. but | dc
not want you," rcjoincd Mona
In a few minutes they reached Mime
nehrisay's abode, and ON opening the door
that individual was discovered resting in
an arm chair, beside table set for tea
Her bonnet lay on the floor beside her. and
her thick and undeuiably di,urdrrcd black
hair was uncovered
This is BERTHE Evrrard," said Mona,
quietly; "Evclyn's brother"
Very pleased To see him, I'm sure. " said
madame. rising hravely to face the intru.
der, and not deigniuE Ia pick up her bon
net Your sister was one of my most
charming pupils"
"oh, indcrlr' returned Errr;trd 81
should not have thought it."
And You lind Your sweet cousin looking
WE'LL have done my best 10 take care of
her"
My cousin elrvatiug his eyebrows.
can You tell me the exact degree Monar
first, second, twcnty-ii:th.'
ooh! cousin removed To the vanishing
point Of relationship have not the faint
est wish to claim YOU, B2rlir."
Really, Mona. my dear, that Is not the
retort courteous"
III YOU knew Mr.. Evcrard better, dear
madame nchrlsly YOU would know that
h"GcspiseS courtesy in himself and others -
Il only hate Shams." said BERTHE frankly
Let me olTer You cup of tea" said
Nine Dehrisay, rather scaudalizaI
'Fhauk you; | shall he glad of it. after
our long, dusty walk. Really. It's not So
bad, now we have got here, " looking round
with visible examination. ut is a better
room than mine in the Temple Now. tell
me, how do you manage Ia rub alongs"
Madame Debrisay and have entered
into partnership; she takes the big pupils.
ana take the little ones"
by George! Does the sQualling and
strumminS pay for all thiSs' waving his
teaspoon cumpreheuSively round.
lit does; but then you must remember il
is all in the fourpencc three farthings style