Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04
MONH'S CHOICE,
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

uepeuueu9 ou CACle Oauuy, ana were he
out Of favor, and dismissed, both would be
in very hopeless condition"
Il see that. trust old Craig won't turn
rusty, it would be very cruel. How can
anyone be in the house with them and not
see the state of affairs? They seem to me
made for each other. But you have done
the best you could in getting your uncle
TO keep quiet He will get used to the
idean
Then, Mr.. Waring, the help you can
give mel mean us-is to talk in a natur-
al, easy way to Uncle Sandy about Ken
neth's engagement, as if you considered it
a settled thing, from your own observa-
tion.''
"Well. 1 doI' said Waring.
My uncle, can see, has very high
opinion of you-you b; We a sort Of myster-
ious influence upon him-so you must give
Kenneth and Mary all the help you can"
'My having any influence on SO shrewd
man as Mr.. Craig must seem consider
able mystery to you," he said, laughing.
II feel much fattered, and will do the best
/ can for the cause"
Both were silent for few moments, then
Waring asked, little abruptly
"Where is madame-I mean Mrs. Field
en-now?"
an Paris-where they intend to make
some stay"
Il was in hopes they might be in London.
should like TO see Mrs. Fielden again.
think she is capital woman"
''She is, indeedl-a true, loving friend
And when do you think of leaving7" asked
Mona, steadying her voice by an effort.
"Oh, about this day week. 1 must &C
then. And my arm is nearly as good as
new. BY the time get to the end of my
journey, shall be quite fit for work"
"And-and how do you like the idea of
going back to the woods?" this in low
tone.
like It'll There is no use in thinking
about liking what must be. I lave cut
myself adrift from every other kind of life,
so must and will make it answer; but it
it's an awful wrench to 60 can't deny
thati Still" He broke off. and meeting
her eyes, exclaimed-"If you look so sorry
for me, L shall make fool of myself.
That Is" flushing sympathetically as he
saw her color rise, 81 shall whine and be-
moan my hard fate, in fashion that will
not increase any CLEANS Of respectyou may
have for me-"
rs she afraid I am forgetting the bitter
lesson she once gave me?" thought he.
"Does he imagine 1 am fishing for an
avowal of the affection which has died
out?' thought she.
Il assure you do not suspect you of any
such weakness. dare say you will find
your new home and life pleasant enough. f."
"Oh, very likely Indeed, given certain
conditions, can imagine enjoying life on
the ranch very much-though we are
twenty-five miles from the nearest city,
as it is called-and it is merely big vii
lage, minus the rusticity of village, and
plus the gas, the gliding the looking
glasses, the gambling, the cheating, the
orgies Of big modern town.
What an awful placer" said Mona.
You must be glad to have twenty-five
miles between your home and it?"
Between my place of abode and it," he
returned. well, vest though there are
inconvenience. Yet you would be sur
prised If you knew how many good fellows
kindly, brave, generous-are scattered
about among the general rowdy popula-
ton, like nuggets in dirt. Are you GO
ing"
eyes, you have sat here long enough.
The sun is beginning to 90 down.
you forget that broken arm does not
constitute an invalid. I am as strong as a
horse now.'
Perhaps so. Then the country is very
fine about these dreadful 'cities?''
Superb The redwoods on the edge of
which l am located are the finest stretch
of forests you can imagine. am afraid to
tell you the dimensions Of the trees-you
would think L was romancing; then the
beauty and luXuriance of the under growth,
such feed for hogs-not very interesting
stock, | acknowledge, but very profitable
while in the more open spaces, and where
it has been cleared, such a soil for wheat.
Then, of course, we have number of en-
ployes-hunters, herdsmen, k ers of
various kinds, and some Cinnamon for
servants. The climate is perfection, the
sunsets and sunrisings marvelously love
ly"
What ia wonderful countryi You ought
TO be happy there"
"Ther are one or two things wanting
still one cannot have everything. You
see, my friend and partner Watson Is a
queer fellow. sharp and clever in his way.
He got hold of this ranch by a lucky chance.
An old hunter had got it for a song some
years ago. He did good deal in clearing
and improving, till he come to the end of
his cash, and got sick of being settled. So
Wells bought it as it stood cheap enough,
then he found he hadn't penny left.
Just about that time l wandered into San
Francisco and met him, so we entered into
partnership. hope to buy him out by and
by"
II think" said Mona, "were 1 man, l
should rather like the life: but il must be
lonely"
''Oh, it would be terrible for woman,
am afraid" said Warning, with a sigh. II
must take out some solid reading with me,
to provide for the winter evenings"
How long shall you be in London?"
'.About a week"
'It will be full, as it is near Easter.
Shall you not look up some of your old
friends? The contrast would amuSe you. y
mo, have done with all thatl There
are some relations of my fathers on whom
must call-but really do not care to see
anyone else"
This conversation had lasted while they
made the tour of a stony, heathery piece
OF land outside the low, moss-grown wall
which inclosed the lawn and bit of pleas
ure ground, and came out upon the road
leading to Kirktoun.
as they paused to look at the sunset, and
just rs Warning had uttered the last words,
q gentleman on foot came round turn OF
the road. Warnings brow contracted; he
glanced swiftly at his companion, and ex
claimed
by Jove! it is LisleI'
In another moment Lisle was lifting his
hat and shaking hands with Mona.
"Waringi' he exclaimed, in tone Of
extreme surprise. "Waring! by all that's
astonishino Where-how what has