The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-09-08

~ bAILC tAtS - 1SSpSSAiS
by her. She is ay interrupting an moider-
ing aulder and wiser folk than herself.
She has wandered to and fro, and seen n
walth of places; but it has no improved her
intelligence, for when as said an dune,
she is just haverin' taupy"
"Eh. Mr.. Craig, but you are cruel 10
speak so of Teddy that Kenneth is so
pleased with, and who is so taken up with
him." said Mary, with pretty, saucy
smile
81 wish to hear nae mair aboot her" said
Uncle Sandy, drawing an armchair near
the fire, and tumbling into it, while his
stick, catching under the iire-irons, up
heaved them with huge clang. 'If you
stay here, just bide still. for want n little
sleep to max up for what that stormy wo-
man broke in upon, and If ye canea, just
gang in the other room"
The young people readily took the hint,
and in the drawing-room held high council.
The topic under discussion was Mary's
return home. She thought she had been
away long enough. But Mona strongly
urged her remaining.
lyon are rapidly becoming prime fav-
orite with my uncle, and you must rivet
your chains before we venture to broach
the question of your marriage. Let me
write to your mother begging an extension
Of leave"
This advice prevailed, Mary adding TO
her consent with soft sigh
81 am just too happy here"
The fine weather which had prevailed
for some weeks nav broke up, and octo-
ber presented itself in gloomy guise, with
wild winds and driving rain, which per-
mitted but little outdoor exercise to the
girls.
Uncle Sandy himself was little com
planning and cranky; but, on the whole,
music and reading, the state of the stocks,
and bookkeeping, with kenneth's help,
kept them tolerably amused during this
period Of imprisonment.
Lisle made no sign. Mona was not sorry.
His presence, without having distinctly
disturbing effect, awokc painful memories,
and obliged her constantly to think before
she spoke. Atlength fairly bright morn
ing broke upon the dcluged country, and
Mona undertook to drive into Kirktoun to
execute divers commissions.
Uncle Sandy objecting to be left alone,
Mona departed with only "the boy' in ut
tendance
Having finished her business, she turned
the horses head homeward, and had
alighted to walk up the steep road which
led from the loch to Craigdarroch, when a
sportsman, with dog and gun, suddenly
emerged from q small wood which filed q
sheltered hollow, and approached her.
She recognized Lisls, and paused TO speak
to him
"It lis moro than n fortnight since / saw
youp he exclaimed, In an aggrieved tone,
while his keen light eyes sparkled with the
joy Of seeing her. and his hard mouth re-
laxed into pleasant smile.
81 suppose 1t is," returned Mona, sml-
ing.
at is delightful day for walking VIII
you not tell your servant to take the trap
home, and let me have tho pleasure of es-
corting you by the short way to the house"
Mona thought for moment, and then
said-"I will"
Directing the boy to go N, she walked
on beside Lisle, and theyt d OF almost
Immediately by path to tn TT, that led
by a sleeper and more direct line to the
house.
Lisle opened the conversation by saying
you are not bound here for the term of
your natural life, are your" looking eager
ly into her eyes. THAT unspeakable bore,
Miss Morton, mentioned some absurd re-
port of your uncle intending to marry you
TO his wild Highlander Of a nephew. 1t
cannot be true!'
"Why'" asked Mona, demurely.
"Why? A creature like thdt!'
''He is very goodIooking, and most ami
able In disposition"
"But one knows how an amiable dispo-
sition may fare tyour hands" he returned
somewhat bitterly Tell me, for Gods
sake, is it possible you can contemplate
such q sacrifice' Do you really think of
linking yourself with mere respectable
farmers"
pray remember, If you please, that
Kenneth Macallster is my near kinsman;
he cannot be socially beneath me-"
''I dare say you think me an ill-bred
brute, but you know how profoundly in
terested have always been in you, and
once in crisis in your fate, you permitted
me TO advise you"
II do not think you waited for permis-
sion!" said Mona, with an arch smile.
II think / never made such n mistake in
my lifel / am always burning To implore
your forgiveness for my idiotic suggestion"
"What is there to forgiven" she returned
gently ION the contrary, / ought to be
grateful to you for breaking through the
principle of non-intervention, which, OF
course, would have prevented man of the
world doing anything so quixotic as TO of
fer way of escape to damsel in distress" "
May / tell you what my own state OF
mind was at that unhappy juncture"
mo, no! There is no use In looking
backi Let us thank Heaven for the pres
ent"
''I do not" said Lisle, gloomiiy. "But
do not be enigmatic. You are not going
to marry this-this cousin OF yours;"
"No, Sir St. Johnp' returned Mona, as
suming an air of sadness. II cannot, see
ing that he has rejected me-"
"WhatW cried Lisle; rejected yoa'"
"Yes. I hope you sympathize with me
in the shock l have receiyedf But Kenneth
prefers not to marry me-"
''Then old Craig wanted 10 arrange a
marriage"
He did; but his purpose has been frus-
tratedr returned Mona, with tragic en-