Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-07-13
MONA'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER
CHATTER yII1.-pIPLoMAcY.

perior young lady-would jump at the first
word-that he (kenneth) must persevere'
and come often to the h0use-perseVerance
could accomplish much. Uncle Sandy had
set his pertinacious mind on the marriage
All, however, might go well, If only no
breath of the project reached Mary's ears.
81 am exceedingly glad may go and see
YOU often " concluded Kenneth. For this
great stony wilderness Of a town has
seemed good deal more home-like since
/ knew you"
Meanwhile the usual round of London
life ran its course. Parliament assembled.
New players and old favorites enchanted
the public Fresh scandals, and novelties
Of toilets, enlivened the pages Of society
papers. Another batch of little girls were
promoted from the nursery to the school
room, and both Nine Debrisay and Mona's
hands were full.
May set in with unusual warmth, dry
east winds prevailing, and Uncle Sandy
grew discontented with his food. restless
at night, feverish by day, dissatisfied with
his liver, and suspicious of his digestive
organs.
II am no sac sure that Sir Andrew Col
man gives me that attention he ought, sid
cring a the guineas he has had from mel
Mr. Maclean" (this was his minister) "ad-
Viscs me to try that man in Saville Row,
Doctor Carmichael; they say he is wonder
full for liver and digestion; and ! am regu-
lar out Of Sorts
''Well, | would, Mr. Craig" said Nine
Dcbrisay, to whom Uncle Sandy cOntided
his doubts and intention; you have not
been looking Mt all well-not n bit like
yourself Of late. ! have felt rather uneasy
about you. Perhaps new doctor may
observe something that has escaped the
other May be change Of air might do you
good"
Haven't had n total change coming
here? And last year felt new man!
How il II puir frail body like me Ogo wan
dcT1ng about by my ain SELF Why, the
cure wad be worse than the sickness"
still. my dear sir, it is well worth while
to face some difficulties rather than nOtrc-
cover your precious health"
II know it-i know it, " he growled, i'm
patiently; "and am just thinking what's
best to be done. I'll get Mona to write
and ask for an appointment, when she
comes in"
81 am sure, Mr. Craig, my poor pen is
quite at your service"
"Oh, thank zee, thanked Tll just wait
till my niece comes in"
visit TO u new doctor, and at length ok
pressed wish that Nine. Debrisay should
accompany him to the doctors house,
though be did not wish her to be present
at the interview.
"Why did you not say So at once" she
cried. Il should hive offered to 90 with
you, but seeing You are particular man,
| did not like to intrude"
"intrudel Why no of course, you would
not did think of taking my nephew,
but il is not easy for him to get away from
business"
DO not think of it, my dear sir. am,
you know, quite au experienced nurse, and
when Doctor Carmichael makes IN APP
pointment, will arrange To go with YOU.
You ARE not really 1T to go alone
You are varra good shall be much
indebted to you
For the remainder Of the day Uncle
Sandy was amnblc enough; but. rs il not
uncommon, when the immediate SENSE of
obligation wears oil, the pultcnrSs il en-
gondcrs also disappears, and next day he
was rs qurruIous ns ever.
The dny that Uncle Sandy went to CON
suit the well known Dir. Carmichael, Mona
was rather late and went up 10 his sitting
room before she took of her hat.
She found him at his evening meal-n
chop and some dry toast while Nine.
DchriSny was busy over II cup of cocoa,
which she was making with the help of u
kettle aud spirit lump
Well uncle, whit did the doctor say2"
Not much lie evidently thinks | am
in a bad way. lie went 80 far as to say
that medicine could do me varra little
good. lie just altered my diet bit am
not Ia touch ten or coffee, only wee drap
whisky in cold water; and he has ordered
me 10 a foreign place never heard tell Of
before. That's the worst. If I'm to dee,
ut me have one of my ain tu close my eyes.
out Of London will not go, unless you
come with me, Mona"
My dear uncle, this il very serious
Where are You to go.'
TO Il queer, out of-the way water drink
INK toun cad Con ter-X-vllc, away in
France Madame there seems to know
about it, rs she does about most things"
Yes, dear" cried madame, brskly, rs
she bIew out the lamp. aud carried the cup
Ia the invalid. "The waters are admirable
for gout, and rheumatism, and liver, and
INDIGESTION; and all sorts of things. 1t Is
II Well known water in France. Monsieur
l.r Due de Mnnccau and Madame La Mar
unlSr de Surrsrucs both derived the great
est benefit from the cure"
And whereabouts is it,
"oh, on the German side; in the Depart
mcnt of tho NoSScs, not very far from
Nancy"
"Itsan awfu' lang journey" groaued
In"l" Sandy, and will cost a mine ~ sill
Ter"
Not more than journey to any other
hNlth resort my dear Mr. Craig. We
Will ascertain the rail fares. Nou are not
going away all in minute We have
t'mc enough To- look about us
Aud will You come with me dcarics"
asked tHclr Sandy. looking wistfully at
Mona. II cun'ld 20 without YOU"
III can 20 will. uncle; but must hear
IL little more"
ITS just awfu' to he alone in this wicked
world; and neither chick nor child TO fight
for You. You ought to think on that,
Mona, and get mo IA little mar toast, like
a good lasSir my appetite is varra iudif-
fcrcut"
He has just devourcd rackrulr' wills
prrcd Mime Drhrisay, zone round more is
rs much As he ought to have"
Mona waited down stairs till the toast
was ready, considering what answer she
should make To her uncIe's request, though
she well knew that she would end by ac-
compauyiuG him. How could she refuse
the poor old man. who seemed IA look to
her Tor help and comfort Vet how much
plcaSanter it would he to stay and work,
and he free with Mime. Dcbrsay
When she carried back the toast, and
Uncle Sandy had finished IT, he said he
could have little sleep if he were left
quiet
The next day Uncle Sandy had hriskci
up again lie begged Mona to come To him
rs soou rs she returned from her work,
which happened to terminate earlier ON
that day than ON any other
She guessed what that invitation meant,
and only hoped that no allusion to Ken
meth would add to her difficulties Yet
she felt extremely reluctant 10 give up the
increasing Independence Of her present
poSitiou-to he the nurse and companion
IL 50 uncertain person us her uncle.
However, the old man snroly needed her
help, and she would not refuse it.
As soon as she had changed her dress,
for the day was wet and stormy she went
up stairs, and found her uncle seated near
the fire. the table drawn up beside his
chair and ON it map Il guide-book n
continental Bradshaw" and several
scraps of ruled paper covered with figures.
Come AVA come awa'r' he cried, his
brow clearing; I'm wearyiu' TO talk to