Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-06-15
MONA CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER

she reached st. Pancras. and found Nine.
Debrisay waiting for her.
.sNIy dear; You do look badl Come. get
into the cab | viii find your things"
81 have only this small portmanteau and
bonnet-box for the present"
That's right am sure you are not fit
to be out in such weather: get in, dear"
81 must post this letter first" said Mona,
her lips quiyering.
Very well Give it to me. Oh, yes;
quite right" CHANGING 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 Westbournc Villas passed almost
in silence on Mona's side. To Nine. Deb
risay silence was abhorrent, and she poured
out much information respecting the
changes she had made in her dwelling
the additional pupils promised her next
month Il am glad have the rest Of this
one comparatively free. / can give a little
time to you, my dear child. And here we
are, thank God! You will be the better
OF "A cup Of tea"
Mona was, indeed, thankful to have, 50
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 10 make.
If Nine Debrisay refused to harbgr her,
what was she to do2 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,
"Thcrc now" said madame, placing
small table with "A cup Of tea and plate Of
bread ana butter beside her young guest,
"take that, and get warmed. Then you
say your say for can see your heart is
full. It's like "a ghost you arc-an uneasy
Ghost dear that hasn't contryed TO de
liver it's message
If have no doubt Of it, - returned Mona,
with faint smile. You describe what
feel myself to be exactly"
Nine Dcbrisay looked at her with kind
compassionating eyes, and stirred her own
tea rcncctiycly remaining silent for an
unusual length Of time.
Now" she said, when the rejection was
finished nov, come open your heart to
me- dear for | know You are in trouble"
81 am, indeed" returned Mona, in a
voice that fallrrcd and shook in a way far
more touching than the most violent burst
Of tears II have determined to break off
my engagements
And you within a day Of being his wife,
if your dear saintcd grandmother hadn't
been swept away in minute, No, won't
listen to you. It's mad, and bad, and not
like yourself mt all, Who'd have thought
you'd be so cruel and false must say it,
dcarl Indeed, knew there was mSfOr-
tune coming, since had your note, All!
my poor Waringl you deserved better ut
her haHd4""
II knew you would be angry. said Mona
EndIy "but I cannot help il. ] cannot
marry him or any one. Life Is too hardN
'Ah! then do you think yuu'll max" it
softer by keeping SINGLE | know better
Life is cruel to n single woman that's poor
aud pretty, aud dclicatcly reared, its you
are. How do you mean TO livc2 What
can you do TO earn a crust"
Not much, certainly: but ! have the
WILL mud | am pcrsevcring; and don't
speak 50 crucly, Deb, for feel heart
broken"
"Gnd forgive mrr said madame, solemn
" Gle knows would share my last loaf
with you, aud will, too; but | am angry
with You, my darling You are flying in
the face Of Providence, and driving an cX
crllcnt young man to an early grave
] do not think that, Deb. Nay, | sup
pose in u month or two he will lac in love
with someone else do not think he is
for au idcaIw
Tell me the truth. Mona, my dear child.
Arr, you in love with anothcr-some poor
creature you can't marry"
'No; in truth am not. There is not "a
Inau on the face Of the earth at this mo-
mrut would willingly marry"
81 believe YOU FOR | never knew you
sprak falsely yet; but there is something
under il all ! can't make out Now, listen
TO me. II you ever cared for your dear
good generous grandmother, don't b, in n
hurry just say your prayers and think
Believe me, it's awfully hard To pick mp u
living, especially when you haven't any
one To take you 10y the hand. Take a day
or two to think what you're doing"
IL have done it, Deb" stretching out her
hand, and laying it on her friends plump
nrm. You posted the letter to him your
self just now"
"Nh! that was base of you base, to take
my hind 10 deal the blow. I'll never for
give YOU. ucvcrl'
Yes. you will YOU must" rising and
llurcjug beside her while she clasped her
arms round her waist. II have no one in
the world To turn To but you, Deb, and
cannot marry this mani cannot, iudccd"
Don't he too sure Of that Now tell me,
have You told Lady Mary"
Not yet thought | would wait till !
had his answer"
That's right. Hen como and speal, his
answer himself, or am much mistaken,
and we'll wc'll wait and see what it will
he "
lie will not hold me to my word2"
Il am not SO sure. Any way, I'll talk no
more 10 you about him this day You are
lust tired and done for Wen leave the
matter to Heaven; aud You must rest. Do
you remember what you said i'll your un-
lucky lcttcr?'
YES. told him | was driven by my
grandmothcr's position to accept him; that
was heartily ashamed of having mislrd
him; that felt it was only just to tell him
that did not. and could not, love him rs
wife ought to love; that Idccply dcplorcd
the pain gave him, and humbly begged
his forgiveness; that thanked him for his
Eoodnrss. and prayed that he would for
get me, and soon he happy with some one
more worthy than myself"
"Ah, know the usual sort of thing
II wuuld serve You right if he never re
piled Nh Mona Moual this is the biz
grsl mistake ever You made. sin, IN not
turn my back ON You, my poor CHILD, and
may he may he your luck won't leave YOU
vet
CHAPTER VI. ruE tue orwAn
The change from the luNurlou, rlc ,aurc
81 the Chase to Mime. u 'hrlSay's London
lodgings, was about rs great rs can be
imagined.
Vet the house was not mean The
"wiIoN woman" who owned it had Ger
E ~