Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-06

TlSay, WHICH, UnueF any circumstances, she
would have refused, and since she had
given no sign, neither had Isle And even
Nine. Debrisay had not written fer fort
night. Mona had. suggested few weeks
in Edinburgh to help them over the depth
of the winter, but somehow Uncle Sandy
did s'not see it!''
There was nothing for it but to endure
the inevitable routine.
Breakfast at nine, and q consultation
with the cook; a spell Of reading to her IN
Gle; an escape to needle-work or music;
dinner, after which Mr. Craig slumbered
for a couple of hours, and Mona was free,
if the weather did not permit Of going out;
walk to the farm-yard or round the gar
den if it did; tea and the newspaper; more
work or music on Mona's part, more sleep
on Mr.. Craig's; little talk with Kenneth,
then supper and bed. Day after day alike
Mona did not think she could live through
another winter.
At last the post brought excitement
surpPise-an entirely new set of ideas-in
letter from Nine Debrisay
Ny DEAREST MoNA:-I suppose you think
me one Of the most worthless and migrate
full women in the world! Well, just wait,
and you Will excuse me. My dear, imagine
me writing behind big fan to hide my
bushes! -A-0out q week ago / had come in
very tired l. ON one of my first attempts to
do my usual days work, and was refresh
ing myself with cup Of tea, when in
walked my general. l sent for another
cup, and we sat down cozily together.
You are looking very ILL., he said, SO
staccato that he made me jump.
4 dare say am said !. TT is fatiguing
at first. In another week [ shall be all the
better for my work It would dome small
GOOD TO sit here alone
"'That's true,' he returned, as if he felt
the truth in the bottom Of his heart; that's
just what think and we each drained q
goblet-no, [ mean cup. so deep was our
convictionl Still said he, as if out of his
thoughts, 4 don't like to see you killing
YOURSELF
Indeed 1 do not want to do anything
Of the kind; life is still worth living for me-
"'That's because you have q good hearth
he cried fortiSSimO.
"'Don't fiatter,' said l.
az do mott never did, SAID he. Now,
[ am rather lOnely-SO are you; suppose
you come abroad with me and take care of
me? It's not much Of an offer to a hand
some woman still in her prince said he,
very civilly.
"'My dear general, said l. what would
the world say?'
"'We'n gag the world, my dear Madame
Debrisay, if you have no objection to go
through a little ceremony
"'Good gracious, generalp I cried, do
you want to marry me?'
81 do,' said he, very stOutly. 4 haven't
much to offer you, but l can leave you
enough for independence. We have both
Dorne the burden of the day, SO let us spend
peaceful evening together. | am q gruff
sort of fellow, but not bad at hart; and
I'll not growl more than [ can help. Just
turn it over in your mind, and | will come
tomorrow for an answer. If you say yes,
we might get things arranged, and start in
ten days or so for Nice"
'Well, dear, ! have said Yes and I
think have done well. We ito be mar
ried at the registry office, as neither of us
are at the romantic age when we might
want to make a religious festival of it.
Herr and Frau Nachtigall are 10 be my
witnesses, and an ancient veteran, an old
comrade of General Fielden's, is to be his.
think the dear old fellow is quite fond OF
me. He brings me presents every day; one
time pair OF gloves lined with fur; then
watch lit belonged to his wife, | imagine,
but it is GOOD and pretty, then a warm
cloak. He is strong in wraps, and is quite
cheerful about being married. Well, Mona,
I'll do my very best to make him happy
and comfortable. He is good soul and
real gentleman. He sends his love TO you.
and saws he is quite ready and willing TIC
adopt you ut any time; SO, dear, you
have not lost me-you have kept me and
gained another and a much more potent
friend. Write and tell me what you think
Of all this. I shall long TO see you, and
Uncle Sandy must spare you TO Us when
we come back to Paris in the spring.
always your loving friend,
&c. DEBRIsAY."
Mona read this important communism
ton with sincerest pleasure. 81 will go
and write letter Of congratulation, and /
will send her poor grannie's cat's-eye and
diamond bracelet for a wedding present;
it is the prettiest thing have. I wonder
will my uncle think Of giving her any
thing?" Here that gentleman's stick was
heard tap-tapping as he approached after
an expedition to the poultry-yard with
Kenneth.
ooh, Uncle SandyP she cried, as he
came in and threw himself into his partic-
ular chair, II have just had a letter from
Madame Debrisay. She is going to be
married.
Married! Aweel, there's nae fuYe like
an old fulel I'll be bound she's goin' to
tax some lad that might be her sonP' he
exclaimed, with severe contempt.
''You are wrong, uncle; she is going to
marry General Fielden-who must be fif-
teen or twenty years older than she is-a
nice old gentleman, who wants someone
to take care of him and make his last days
comfortable; so they think it wiser and
more respectable 10 De married
THAT sounds mair reasonable. Has the
general ony siller? These Soldier men scat
ter mair than they gather. It's just mis-
fortin' to the country to have the like o.
them to support"
''He is not rich," returned Mona leaving
her uncle's abstract observation unanswer-
| ed, ''but fairly well of-at least for all
they will want. 1 am very, very glad Of
| this news; for though dear Madame Deb
risay has worked so hard, do not think
| she has laid by anything, and the time will
come when she can work no more.
| That's true, Mona; but it's no every
| young lasSie would think o't an it maks
me think o. yourself I'll not forget you,
my dearie; and I'll no put it off ony MAR.
| I'll go doom to Glasga', the week after
next, and see Mr.. Cochran-that's my
man o. business-about putin codicil to
my will. Ye see, 1 hoped and hoped you
| and Kenneth would max it cot together
wished We bath to profit by my bits O.
property-but that's a. over"
Dear uncle, you must think of Kenneth
! first; then, if you like to remember me,
| shall be very grateful"
"I'll not forget vel But you mauna an
/ ger me; We do sometimes You are Draw
lassie-that 1 am not denyin'-but ye think
too much o. yoursel'-you think nae mon
good enough for We. There's yon baronet
Sir St. John Lisle-he'd ask you to-mor-
row If you'd let him! lam auld and cauld,
but Pm no sac dottled that l Gamma read
what's in mons een-and he's a gram
gentleman. I'd like the folk to see Sandy
Craig's niece her leddyship.'"
But, uncle, thought you despised and
| diSapDroved of titleS?''