Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-09-21
MONH'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER

goodbye forever with tolerable composure.
Forever! All! it is hard, cruel fate"
She was not of the sentimental, weeping
order of young ladies. She sat, very white
and still, and thought it all out, and re-
solved on her own line of conduct. She
would be kind, pleasant friend while
they were together-and afterl Then, In
deed, would come anguish and despair-a
brief parting, probably to meet no more on
earthl
Slowly she gathered herself together, and
collected her ideas. Then she wrote long
gossiping letter 10 Mrs. Fielding, telling
all the events Of their little world. This
accomplished, she gazed critically in the
glass, smoothed her hair, and looked for
her hat, hoping to efTace any sign Of emo
tion before meeting any Of the party.
1t so happened that Waring asked for
one or two particular songs that evening.
Mona sung them easily and sweetly.
''You have not had any bad newsf' no
asked, coming over to stand by the piano.
mo. What made you think so'"
"Ah, that cannot tell You look 50
pale, there was something-I do not know
what-in your voice that made me fancy
you wcre-not so bright as usual"
"Wiy, Mr.. Waring, are you growing
fanciful' You will be writing poetry next"
Perhaps / may! Do you and Miss Black
never sing duets'"
"Oh. yes! We have one or two. Would
you like US to sing togother'"
Eyes; very much"
"Comc, Mary, and try oh, Were Thou
in the Cauld Blast do not think we can
do much in this way"
when this was over Mary was called to
play chess with her host, Kenneth stole
away to enjoy private smoke, and Mona
and Warning were cffcctually tctc-G-tctc
"You are wonderfully better Mr.. War
ing" said, Mona, who for once was doing
nothing, and sat ensconced in a deep arm
chair which was well in the shadowy re-
cess Of the window, away from the lamp,
near which the chess-players were seated.
Warning, somewhat weary after his walk,
lounged on tho sofa, from which, being
still more in darkness, lie could see her
profile against the moonlighted window.
'Yes"-suddenly ms If his thoughts
that is exactly what have been saying
to myself. In short, feel ns if / were
staying here on false pretenscs. | ought
to DO on the move"
- am sure my uncle does not think sop
''Nol lie has been wonderful kind,
though l have been troublesome enough
to tire you all outl"
Owe are not quite tired out yet"
"Oh, You and Miss Black are brace of
angels; and, in short, | must stay till my
arm is as strong ms ever which Donaldson
promises It shall be- A right arm is i'm
portant everywhere, but particularly in
my new abode Do like the idea of re-
turningi Oh, ! sha'n't be sorry to be mt
work again; but the mere going will be
awfully hard. | mean shall be very sorry
10 say goodbye to You all"
They were both silent for few moments
after this. Then Mona asked in a low,
dreamy sort OF voice
what Is the chief work on q ranche?"
"There Is so much that is chief, | hardly
know which comes first There are cattle
and sheep to be looked after; and fields
1--WE have wheat flelds) to be plowcd, and
sown. and reapcd; and horses to break,
etc, etc"
lyon have plenty TO do tlCnp
'Oh, plenty; and then, lots OF sport
such heaps Of deer, and birds. and bears"
"Bearsi That must DO rather fearful.
Do they ever come near your housc7"
Eyes. they come after the hogs Part of
our stock-a large part tools big drove
OF hogs"
Your partner is not exactly n gentle
mani"
well. one would hardly invite him to
South kcnsngton aesthetic evening party;
but he Ia II very good fellow, II gentleman
ms regards keeping his word, and first
rate shot"
Another pause Mona leaned her head
against the back of her chair, and gazed
nj
hered in silver radiance on the opposite
hill side.
when was Isle hcre2" asked Waring,
with startling abruptncss.
ooh, let mo sccl In the autumn-in Sep
tcmber aud October"
81 suppose he IS the same cool hand rs
ever"
II see very littlo change in him, except
that he looks a good deal older"
And he has the family estate now1
dare say he will make good landlord. lie
understands his own interest"
81 have no doubt he does"
II dare say he will be in town when l go
there, but shall not try TO SEQ him. l
have done with that world
at IA II pleasant world when one Is In It,
yet do not regret it either"
"You' Oh, you will flourish In 1t, Ihaye
no doubt"
81 imagine am rs much cut Off from it
as You can be"
No, mol Women like you must always
he Mt premium-in an ornamental, pleas
urc-secklnR society; someone will persuade
you To enter the ranks once more"
Mona laughed-a low, hooking laugh
but did not reply
How is that capital woman. Madame
Debrisny-I mean Mrs. Fioldenf l always
liked her"
''She is very well, | believe, and must be
Mt Blarritz by this time. Yes; she is the
kindost, truest soull How good she was
to me, l can never forget"
And shall never forget her either.
And Lsle-have you not seen him sincef"
Not since the autumn, or early winter.
lie called once or twice when l WAS with
Madame DehrIssy when she was so ILL.,"
oh indeedr'
Another pause. Then Warning proceed
ed TO inquire for BERTHE Everard and many
OF their former mutual acquaintauces,
most OF whom were lost to sight, and were
by no means dear to Monas memory.
Il suppose ought to clear out OF this in
about fortnight" said Warning rs il to
himself
DO not think OF travelling until you feel
sure OF your strength" returned Mons,
earnestly. 1T would be dreadful to be
laid M in such place rs you describe your
~ me to be.
'Homel 1t certainly is not ones idea OF
home"
But rs the place improves under your
hand, You will grow fond OF it."
Il suppose So" rather dcjectedly. "Ot
course, do not intend to end my days
there"
''Oh, mol OF course not. When Won mako
afortune, You will come back to England"
"A fortuueI II | can screw competence
ont OF it, shall be lucky"
Competence is enough for anyone" said
Mons
'feSi know you do not care for money"
returned Warning, quickly.
Then they both blushed, and there was
silence OF some minutes.
II suppose Isle will be up here agaiu'"
resumed Warning, rather abruptly.
"Perhapsl do not think It likely. I
believe my uncle is already in treaty with
someone else for the shooting, 50 there will
be nothing to come for"
Nothing to come forr' repeated War
ing, ~ If to himself; and Mona suddenly
thought-"Does he imagine that l am the
attraction to ST. John Lislc, snd does his
friendliness incline him to rejoice at the
prospect Of good marriage for mes"
She rose and went into the next room