Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04

Of"
"Weel, dinna ken what's come to We a.;
there's Mona VII white face, and YOU VII
a lang ane, and Kenneth's like a bag o,
bones. Mary is the best O. We. 1t is com
fort TO look at cheerful, healthfu' coun-
tenance," said Uncle Sandy, who had
been extremely fractions for the last ten
days.
What compliment Mary! Ifeel quite
ashamed of myself" cried Mona.
Let me know when you are ready to
start" said Waring to Kenneth, and soon
| after the two young men started to see
what assistance they could afford to the
shipwrecked fishermen, Uncle Sandy call
ing out injunctions to Kenneth as he went
not to commit him 'to mend a. the broken
boats in the parish"
And wha'u drive me into the toun?''
asked Mr. Craig. 81 must gang to the
bank, forbye the minister's and Jimmy
Tullochs''
Mary will go with you, uncle. 1 have
rather headache. and I dare say Ken
meth and Mr.. Waring will be back to
| luncheon"
81 hope so. I am no weel content VII
Mr.. Leslie. I hope you have nae been fash
ing him WI your idle clavers He needs
rest and kind treatment"
Il think we have been very good and
prudent, Ell, Mary'"
"Aweel, let Us have the denner at one
o'clock punctually''
81 will see to it, uncle"
The dinner hour came, but brought neith-
er Kenneth nor Waring, and Uncle Sandy
having been comforted with a good many
''draps O. whisky" and wrapped up with
care, started under Miss Blacks escort, for
the diminutive town of Kirktoun.
1t was a relief to Mona to be alone, but
it oppressed her to be within doors. She
| got her hat, and threw plaid round her
shoulders, intending to commune with her
own heart in the fresh, sweet air
81 must put away this deplorable weak
ness. Where is my pride, that I cannot
resist this overwhelming tenderness for a
man who does not care about me?"
IF the gentlemen return and ask for me,
JESSIE" she said to the housemaid, who
was doing some extra busting in the hall,
81 shall be by the wood at the big oak-tree
seat"
'Here's ane coming, men," said the
girl, and Lisle came up the steps as she
spoke.
Going to walk" said the man cheer
fully; may come, too?"
''Win you not have some luncheon first?"
fsNo, thank you; [ had luncheon early
with Finistoun, who dropped me near this
on his way to Balmuir. It is quite spring
like after the storm last night. Itkept you
awake suspect. Your eyes-those load
stone eyes Of yours-droop."
Il did not sleep much certainly. Then,
will
go to my favorite point of view, and look at
the sea; it will be very fine to-day"
''By all means!''
They walked on in silence for some little
way, and then Lisle exclaimed
Il never was so amazed in my life as
when saw Waring with you! 1t seemed
as if he was to be your fatel What pos
sessed him to come here to SINCE his wings
again, poor devi1?'
your compassion is wasted" said Mona,
a slight smile curling her naughty mouth
Mr.. Warning is much improved, and seems
quite fre-proof."
"f he is, why he deserves to be called,
In your uncle's parlance, "a varra remark
able person"
pray leave my uncle alone" said Mona,
smiling in spite of herself.
every well. Where is everyone. Are
you all alone?''
Eyes, just at present. Kenneth and Mr..
Waring have gone to the fisher village, my
uncle and Mary to the town"
tThen the fates are at last propitiousI"
cried Lisle. II have been singularly un-
lucky as regards yourself of late. Now
pray sit down." (they had reached the rus
tic bench) land hear me. You have slip
ped from my grasp over and over again;
you must hear me to-day"
Mona cast a troubled look around, and
then suddenly took courage, resolving to
make an end of the matter.
YES" she said, nervously, and some
what louder than usual, II will hear you,
Sir. ST. john
She sat down, and be placed himself be-
side her.
"Of course you know what I am going
to say. You know-you must know-that
l loved you from the first hour we met, and
that although in justice to you made the
unselfish effort to recommend your marry
ing Waring. when poor Mrs. Newburgh
met with such losses, I do not suppose you
can form an idea of what it cost me to
make such 81 sacrifcer'
81 am sorry to have caused you pain"
said Mona, in a low, clear tone. 81 am
sure your advice was disinterested'
cit was indeed. l confess I was surplis-
ed at the worldly tact with which you
adopted my suggestion"
81 was carefully brought up in good
school," said Mona, demurely.
mo school on earth could have given
you the indescribable charm nature has
bestowedP' cried Isle, passionately 81
never loved any woman as I love you'll
Mona, do hear me! Cast away this cold
sweetness, that Is enough to madden any
man. Give me your love, give me right
to itp' He seized and kissed her hand,
which she withdrew 'sThere was time
when your hand trembled in mine, and-''
my nerves are much steadier now" she
said, calmly. eft is treachery to let you
say more, when 1 have nothing to give in
return, and it pains me infinitely to pain
you, but cannot be your wife"
'"Then there is some Internal mystery at
the bottom of it. First you throw Waring
over in the most unaccountable manner:
now you reject mel You prefer the awful
seclusion of this wild place, the society of
these uneducated plowmen, to the world my
wife could commando Mona, you cannot
be Indifferent to such passionate love as
mine, unless you love someone else"
"That does not follow" she returned,
uneasily, and very anxious to get rid Of
him.
ITO be continued)
No Time Like the Present.
Newark Call.
precociou5 Irving ton youpgster has
beer bribed by promises of yelocipede