Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-09


goodbye.
INV only idea Of home is with you, dear
Deb. You shall have letter every week,
and Won must write regularly, too"
So madame stood smiling to the last, till
The last glimmer of the red light at the
end of the train had vanished, and then
went home. to have it out unrestrainedly
with her sorrow.
CHAPTER XvuL-AMoNG THE HEATHER.
Craigdarroch was beautiful secluded
spot on the side Of a hiIl-the advanced
post of a mountain range, which Upheaved
its lofty crests further inland. 1t looked
west upon the loch Ian inlet OF the sea-,
which lay directly beneath it, and south
toward the mountains, which tended to
the east. The wild stretch of rocky heath
er-grown upland, called Strathairlie deer
forest, lay to the north, and Immediately
at the other side of the hill, barely three
miles distant, was the shOOting-lodge of
Lord Finistoun.
The house was old, gray, and rambling,
having been much added to; and, thanks
TO the shelter of the hill, boosted the Orna-
ment of surrounding woods, not only of
fir-trees, but beech and numerous oaks.
1t had been the residence of the old lairds
of Strathairlie. They had passed away
long ago, and their lands had been divided
among different purchasers. The Lord
Finistoun Of that day had bought the deer
forest, and built lodge. 4 Glasgow man
ufacturer bought the house, the home, and
two or three other farms, which formed
the estate of CraigdarrOch, for summer
residence. He failed, and it was again
brought to the hammer, when Sandy
Craig became the pOsseSsOr, for a sum de-
cidedly below its real value, He also
bought q good deal of the furniture, estab-
fishing himself with much glee. But it
was somewhat late in life to change his
habits. Farming proved a costly amuse-
ment The want of steady, regular en-
ployment made him irritable, and a cheese
pairing spirit as regarded the consumption
of coal, coupled with the dampness of mid
winter on the western coast, induced rheu-
matism. So Sandy Craig thought himself
in very bad way, and betook himself to
London for superior medical advice, with
the results we have seen.
The place seemed to him after his long
absence at once more beautiful and more
intolerable than it used to be- He lOnged
to show it to Mona. He longed to hear
her EXPLANATIONS OF delight at it's beauty
and to display so distinguished looking a
creature rs his niece and adopted daughter
for pride was q very ruling passion in the
heart Of Sandy Craig.
Still, it cost him a severe mental struggle
to yield SO much to his strong desire for
Mona's company as to write the letter
above quoted. Once done, he was fever
ishly eager to reap the fruits of his sur
render and reckoned the days till Mona
made her appearance.
After fatiguing journey, for the night
was warm, Mona found herself at Glas-
gov in the gray of the morning. Early as
it was, Kenneth, lin the garb of old Gaul, s"
awaited her on the platform. He looked
80 martial and magnificent, that Mona did
nos recognize him 1T first. When she did
she was disposed to laugh at what she
considered his fancy dress" He assured
her, however, that it was his habitual cos
tune when among the hills, and that the
only difference he had made was to put on
his best go-to-meeting kilt and plaid in her
honor.
mot altogether in my honor, Kenneth, :"
she said, when having collected her lug
gage, they had time to exchange few
words.
''Well, may be not" he returned, with
happy smile. Now, if we leave by the
one-twenty train for Kirktoun, We'll get
to Craigdarroch by six o'clock. My uncle
agreed not to expect you BEFORE so you can
come away to Mrs. Robertson's, where you
can rest and have breakfast. She is ferry
old friend of Mrs. Black, and Mary is just
waiting to welcome you. She is wearying
to know you, though she will be half
frightened at so grand young lady as you
are"
"Grandl Why, Kenneth, you are chat
fng mer'
He only laughed, and, calling cab, they
drove away through dull streets, as yet
scarcely astir, to the modest mansion of a
Free Kirk minister, who was already in
his study, and came forth to welcome the
stranger lassie with kindly warmth; then
> his wife appeared, as neat and well APP
pointed in her cotton morning-dress as if
she had made an afternoon toilet; and
lastly; Mary, blushing, with downcast eyes
and sweet smile Hickering on her lips.
The first thing Mona noticed was the
golden-red tinge in her soft, abundant hair
''If mine is half as pretty, l am content, u
she thought as she offered her hand, and
said kindly
Il am very pleased to meet you"
said-made Mary look up, and then the
smile shone out in her honest, hght blue
eyes; these, and a red-lipped mouth rarely
quite closed over very white teeth, re-
deemed her face from plainness- Her com
plexion, though clear and good, was much
freckled, and the cheek bones were some
what high; still Mary Black was undoubt
edly a ''bonnie lassie,n and pleasant tc
look at nc Klamath evide0tlv rhouoht as
his face beamed when his eyes fell upon
her.
You'll be awful tired after so man,
hours in the train; here, Mary, take Mis-
Craig to the spare room. You'll may b,
like TO wash your hands and brush you
hair bit before you eat your breakfast"
"Thank you. feel l need ablution sore
~"
II am so very pleased to see you," saiC
Mona, when she and Mary had entered the
sacred precincts of the spare room.
''And so am to meet you; Kenneth TOLD
him; but you are not bit like what I ex
pected TO see."
a. suppose not; people never are like
what is expected"
81 will leave you now; ring when yor
are ready, and will how you the way t.
the breakfast-room"
At the table were gathered the misister'
younger BARNS; a big-boned lad of four
teen; slight, thoughtful boy of nine O
ten-both silently intent on finishing thei
school-and a chubby girl of six, evidentl,
the pet Of the family.
The long, devout grace, the bowls Of
ND nF he