Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-07
CHAPTER III.-TES.

dress. Amt my new cards pretty"
CHAPTER III.-YEs.
Sleep partially restored Mrs Newburgh;
but next morning her granddaughter OBJ
served that she was restless and watchful
especially Of herself. The doctor for
babe her leaving her bed, as the weather
was extremely cold, and chill might be
fatal.
When Mrs Newburgh's toilet de lit was
made, and her pillows properly arranged,
Mona took her work and sat down beside
her-feeIing quite sure that her grand
mother was making up her mind to speak.
This change in the somewhat abrupt dom
ineering old woman touched her-it was
such a confession of utter defeat.
you will be glad to see Sir Robert,
grannie," she began. "He will give US
some good advice"
mot half so good as Mr.. Oakley cam"
returned grannie, querulously. ''He is a
mere country gentleman, and nothing can
save me from total ruin. What troubles
me is that letter of Mr.. Warnings. thought
to be answered. think 1 could manage
TO write, il you bring me the large blot
ting-bOoK."
lGS, Ol COURSE, IL W NC duSNCIGu,
returned Mona, very gravely.
But how?" asked Mrs. Newburgh. eff
you refuse to see him, all is over. If you
consent, it implies acceptance"
Not quite, grannie. l have been think
ing all night long what I ought to do
what | can do. 1t seems impossible to de-
eide. believe l could make up my mind
better if l had some conversation with Mr.
Waring, | am SO Indifferent, that 1 do
not think his presence would even confuse
me-"
LET him plead his own cause,' said
Mrs NeWhurgh, stretching out her hand
for pen and paper He will induce You
to take different view, I am sure" With
difficulty she traced a few lines, eXcusing
their brevity on the score of illness, and
asking him to call on the following day,
when Miss JOsceIyn would receive him.
"You must address it, dear. He does not
know your hand"
1T is of no consequence" said Mona, re-
moving the writing materials; and taking
out an envelope, she sat down to direct it.
1T is not natural, Mona, to be so cold
and Indifferent. Yet | have not detected
any liking on your part for any other man,
except, indeed"
mo, mop interrupted Mona, quickly.
81 have no preference for anyone, rest as
sured dear grannie."
Then, Mona, you will love young War
ing when he is your husband?"
"Oh yes, l dare say shall. Now, gran
ME, am going to read you the paper, try
and listen-it may rest your brain a little. :"
"I will, Mona, I will, because you have
given me little hope"
The rest OF the dull, drear November day
Mona moved slowly perhaps. but firmly,
rs if keenly alive to the work she had to
do. Late in the afternoon a card was
brought her. Captain St. John Isle,
til Hussars." She thought an instant,
penciled line on it, so sorryl can not
leave Mrs. Newburgh," and send it back
to him.
Captain Lisle was not the only visitor TO
Green street that day. Late in the after
noon, Sir Robert Everard was announced.
II cannot see him." murmured Mrs.
Newburgh. "You must so, Mona-ex-
plain how incapable feel
Sir Robert was thorough country gen
tleman. He seemed to bring an atmos-
phere of the woods and fields with him in
TO the chill, dull dining-room which had
sized man, plump and rosy, with pepper
and-salt covered mutton-chop whiskers,
looking always as if he had came fresh
from bath. His shirt front was the
snowiest, his clothes the glossiest, his
voice had mellow ring in it, which atoned
for the loud, authoritative key in which he
usually spoke.
'Wellr' he exclaimed, taking Mona's
in Of 4 4,
other, chow is the poor grannie? / pro-
test never was more cut up than when
found how desperate she had been swim
died! She would stick to the ship IL spite
of all that Oakley or could say. The few
solvent shareholders backed out some
time ago, and the rest are mostly men of
straw, so they'll not leave Mrs. Newburgh
a rap"
Poor dear grannie is very, very miSera-
BILE, Sir Robert. 1t is curious that so clev.
er woman should have believed in what
many of her friends and advisers doubted "
'She was always obstinate, my dear,
devilish obstinatel However, | have bit
OF good news. 4 friend of mine wants to
buy the house. He Will give a decent sum
TOO; and | want your grandmother to con
Vey the money to me for you, or some legal
jugglery Of that kind. Go, ask her if she
will be able TO see me and Oakley to-mor-
row, that we may settle about it. 1t will
be something between you and want"
Il will go and tell her" said Mona, hast
ening away. ''WiIl it be enough to save
me from the necessity of marrying any
one?" she thought.
In moment she returned and said
MY grandmother will be glad to see
YOU tomorrow at twelve
''All right; just sit down and write a line
to Oakley, asking him TO meet me here
We will have consultation, then We'll
see what Is best to be done; we must secure
whatever money Mrs. Newburgh gets fol
the house from the claws of the hquida
tors Lady Mary wants her-both Of yoI
to come down to the Chase"
THANK yer so much; but am afraid i
will be some time before grandmother car
be moved" returned Mona, who shrunl
from the idea of visiting the Chase again.
you would be all the better for bein:
turned out to grass yourself, my dear" n
resumed, kindly. Its hard lines for
young thing like you to be plunged int
such trouble. Why, you are not as old a
Evelyn"
Sir Robert Everard talked on in hi
kindly, easy way while Mona wrote tn
note to Oakley.
Mr.. Oakley obeyed the summons. Mrs
Newburgh, revived by her new hopes, wa