Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-07-20
MONA'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

The following day, shortly before the
hour for table d'hOtG the stagnant waters
of life at Contrexeyille were stirred by the
arrival of my Lord Fizallan, his valet, his
friend-a young mainland his valet; pile
Of luggage, including gun-cases, fishing
rods, couple of dogs, aud endless imped-
iments of various kinds. Every waiter in
the place appeared absorbed in the hustle
created by this important arrival; and the
visitors, as they assembled for dinner,
talked Of nothing else. The great men
had signified their gracious intention Of
dining with the general public, and their
places were being buSily got ready, cham
payne bottles put into coolers, and extra
dainties for dessert being placed Gt their
end of the table.
IT'S just IA humeeIiating spectacle" said
Uncle Sandy, taking his seat and unfolding
his napkin, while his very nose seemed to
curl upwith contemptuous disapprobatiOn,
Ito sec such a like set out over twa laddies
that would be better earning their crust"
II fancy, from what / have heard, Lord
Fitzallan is by no means young"
"Why2 What do We ken about him."
Before she could reply, the door opened
and the new guests, conducted by the
manager Of the hotel. entered The first
was a tall, thin, very thin man, Of forty
five or fifty whose cOlOring was extremely
neutral. His hair was Of light hay-CUlOr,
his mustache shade or two darker; his
complexion pale drab; his eyes a faded
blue; a very long pointed nose; and a rather
rccedng chin, did aOt convey an idea Of
mental strength; nor did his sIoping Shout
dcrs, spdcry legs and long neck suggest
physical power. He was smiling blandly
at something the host was saying, and his
expression was kindly enough, but Mona
scarcely took in these details, so surprised
was She to see that his friend who followed
him was Berthe EVerard.
Tint gcHtIemun's keen eyes detected her
instantly, but with his usual immobiIity,
lie merely raised his eyebrows, smiled
family, and bowed rs if he had quite ex-
pectrd to meet his young kinswOman at
the tUbic dLOtC. Mona was vcXcd at her
self for eOloring as she felt she did when
She returned his bow, smiling at the same
time with irrcprcssible amusement. The
idea Of an encounter between Uncle Sandy
md BERTHE EgcrarI seemed infinitely
comic.
"Wha's that?" asked the former, indig
nantly
"lIc is sort Of cousin Of mine, or rather
at his mothers house. She was very kind
to me"
"Ay, till you began to earn your own
living, those are aye worthless folk Stop
the waiter, viii YEP | cannot eat this fish;
10 has seen Il deal Of tho world since it left
the waiter"
The offending fish removed, Uncle Sandy
''Elowered" rs he would have said him
self, MT tho newcomers, until it was re-
placed by Suimis of pigeons.
At length dinner WIS over Everard left
his scat, AS Mona and Uncle Sandy wcro
leaving the table, and intercepted them.
Mona presented her uncle, and Eycrard
introduced her to Lord FItZlIlam, who
bowed twice, once to the lady, once to the
grabbed looking little Scotsman.
"Ahl Miss Craig don't you think we
might coutrivo u cousiuship out of the
double relationship" he said, in Il soft
but weakly voice and with whut he intend
ed for Il fascinating shipper
81 um afraid not The only real relation
have is my uncle"
"Whut rude speech, Moual Do you
rcpudiatc mc| said Evcrard.
con, no! take you for what you are
worth"
Eycrard lifted his eyebrows
Glow is your friend and partner tho
music mistrcss2 1t was the funniest idea
yourrunuiugaway from my mother to her"
Run away? Did You really run away
What mn cntrrprisiug young lady" said
Lord FitaIlnn, a5 the quartet strulloI out
towards some seats under the trc.s.
'sDiuua hcartilhm, " cried Uncle Sandy
guol deal Disturbed "My niece is not
the sort q young Teddy to do sic an I'M
m"nncrIy imprudcncc, she Is just lassic
wi n proper sense Of independence"
Proper SENSE Of independence, repeat
cd Eyerard; II fancy you will think it i'm
proper when she runs away from UoHF'
"Ehi hut sh"'ll M do that Sho can
have a good home with me if she chooses,
us You know, my lord!'
'Who-me" exclaimed Lord Fttzallan
"Mv good sir, what do know about it?"
Then you ought, considering you have
rented my house for near on two ycarsi
Don't We mind Craiglarroch2"
"Craigdarrochl by ,IovcI Are you Craig
of Craigdarroch? Lad not the fantcst
idea should meet my landlord I'm this re
mote region. Ishould like to have third
season tai Crag,larroch 1t is n snug little
box, and as do not like large parties, it
just suits me"
'SmaN repeated Mr. Craig Indignantly.
.,rbnrc ,r, q =. I,,,-,, .1,i,,,r ,,,,,,,,, F,,
t,, itI,, mi .,.,,,,,
,,,.i,,,,,,,
I - - ''','' :, ''''''S
aVrG,t , rr,,,,,, ,,,,,i,,,, tl,t CT, ,,.,,
shnuId brIour fn ,.nur uncle NInno ;, s,iJ
Eyrrarl
"Nnd why shouldn't itp" asked Uncle
Sandy, testify. "Why shouldn't Noua's
uncle buy what he likes with the money he
worked So hard to makc?u
Il am sure have no objection. Only |
wish you would let Fitzallau have the
place for another year. | can only be with
him for ten DAYS this season. and the shoot
a. ~
mon. y said IrnCIn sandy soIcmnIv
''Ycs. Of course am. So arc vuu. 50 are
we alIo
al have oly,vs trinl IN do NV 1ut,-, 20
trrncI Irr,.I, S,pd,, st,rfI,l Nv tIjs ot
tack
a dare say. II Is much tho best plau. "A
does ono no harm if Won ruana,-, proprrlv
md Il p,ys in fin, cnd "
"N-ct. p, s,tl Mona ouirtIv al con ir,oo-
inc yoilr prrfornauce of dutv NOT bpinr
sprrially urafitahlr IN vorrr rrnnIovrr
oNyhat ri,,ht ha,, ,-,,r t,.s,,,tr1tg ., ,r,o5
I,,.,,,,,I , Iit,l,,,,,t,I,I ,It; ,,,,,,,Irt,,l.
tntl,irl- y,bot ,,,,. t,,,,,r,,, win ~, ,,I,,,1
youar mn old woman. rnnsiIcrin,- what II
is Mt present"