Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-02

legged Highlander, who is not fit to dust
your shoes"
mo, no, Deb! he is very good fellow"
"Oh, good enough; but not for such as
you. So | suppose it is all overr'
''What is all over?" asked Mona
My hopes that your uncle would pro-
vide for you. Now you are no better. of
than you were before. Indeed you are
worse off, for you have to make up for all
the time you spent wandering about with
that old bear''
1.-THE usual fate OF legacy hunters" re-
turned Mona, smiling.
You are no legacy hunter, Mona I de-
clare that cantankerous uncle of yours can
have no more heart than f1int''
81 do not believe be is quite heartless,''
said Mona, thoughtfully; 81 believe he is
fond of me, and viii soon recall me.''
''When hope you will have more spirit
than to respondr' cried madame, indig-
nantly; she deserves to be left to hirelings
for the r>st of his days"
THAT would be cruel punishment for
an outbreak of temper-it was nothing
more. Come, dearest Deb, I am tired and
| depressed; l viii go to bed. Do you know
that it is very delightful the idea of break
fasting tete-d-tete with you tomorrow
rs it, my darling? All, it warns my
heart to hear you say sol If you belonged
to me now; if you were my own, own
child, oh, it would give me the strength or
a dozen women to work for you and fight
for you; not but I'd do it all the same, only
| I'd have a right to you then"
Until / married some selfish tyrant OF
a man, who would show his love by separ-
ati9g me from you," returned Mona, TAX
ing her hand in both hers with an affec-
tionate smile.
/ The next day was one of Nine. Debri-
says busiest, and it was exceedingly wet.
Mona sat indoors very contentedly, busy
| with book or needle, and Uncle Sandy
made no sign.
The following evening, Kenneth made
his appearance, with an exceedingly per-
| turbed aspect.
well, Mr.. Macalister, what news?" cried
| Nine. Debrisay, putting down the teapot
! to shake hands with him.
| ''Good-evening, Kenneth. You do not
look too happy" said Mona.
! "Happyr' he repeated; 81 am just miser
! able. I am thinking Uncle Sandy's gone
! clean daft. He was up in the city at our
| place, and saw Mr.. Sinclair-that is the
! principal partner Came in all the rain in
a cab from Moorgate Street. He told Mr..
! Sinclair that he was going to adopt me,
! and requested I might be allowed to leave,
| as he could not go to his place in the High
! lands without me. So I was called up, and
| old Sinclair made me speech about my
| good fortune, and my excellent conduct
| while in the service of the house q don't
| believe he knew my name rightly half an
(! hour before); and the two old fellows COM
| plimented each other. I fancy Mr.. Sin
clair thinks I am come in for ten thous-
/ and year at least. This morning all the
clerks were congratulating me, and l felt
| like thief"
"Why should you, Kenneth? I assure
| you should have been more miserable
| than you look if thought my uncle had
| quarreled with you about me. 1 have per-
! feet confidence in your loyalty"
| "And you may have that, Cousin Mona;
! but it's many long day before I can be of
any use to you.'
| Let me give you a cup Of tea, Mr.. Ken
/ neth," said madame, kindly. ''It is my
| opinion she continued, as she poured it
! out, "that neither one or other of you will
| ever see a sou Of your uncle's money. He
| will get all he can out of you, and then
! leave all he has to some church or institu-
ton, or something wicked of that kind"
mo, do not think that" returned
Mona, thoughtfully. 81 believe he is quite
earnest in his intention now but he might
| get angry again and change his mind"
"After all.' cried Nine. Debrisay, 81
/ don't believe he has much to leave behind
him. He talks big; but for all the cry
! suspect there is not much wool"
''There is no telling" said Kenneth.
| "But think he is rich. My poor mother
thought he was ferry rich"
eve shall never know till poor Uncle
/ Sandy has no further need of our services"
said Mona, smiling. $50 there is no use
! conjecturing."
"That is true. Eli, but ne is dreadfully
angered against Mona, +" returned Kenneth,
| addressing Nine. Debrisay when / said
| | would come over and see her, he broke
/ out against her, and forbade me to cross
your threshold. could not stand that. I
! Just told him that I was willing to obey
! him in many ways, but that neither of US
hal any right to quarrel with her. So af-
| ter some words-a good many words-he
! told me to do as liked, but was never to
name your name to him. He is awful
miserable-just fretting the flesh off his
bones. We are to start for Craigdarroch
on Monday"
Some more talk and friendly conjecture
made time pass quickly till Kenneth
to bid them goodnight.
Mona could hardly believe that Uncle
/ Sandy would leave town without seeing
her, and she kept good deal indoor until
| the Monday fixed for his departure; but
| the old man made no advance.
Nine. Debrisay insisted on her being a
| guest for at least a month, to which the
| fear of offending her kind hostess compelled
Mona to agree. Otherwise, the rest and
| conqenial companonship We're very de-
| ightfu4.
Uncle Sandy had been gone about a
week, and the last days of July were fast
| slipping away, when one warm sultry af-
ternoon, as Mona was out shopping for
madame, whose soul expanded at sale
time, smart footman overlook her, &C
costing her with the words, of you
please'm, Lady Finistoun would be glad
| to speak to you"
Lady FiEistounP" repeated Mona, look
ing round. where is She"
Her kdyship is in the carriage. close
! by"
Following the man, Mona was soon shak-
/ ing hands with her former ally.
ST was so afraid should miss you, dear,
| cried the young peerless, shaking hands
w&Rly with her. II was afraid you had
vanished from me altogether. BERTHE told
me about meeting you abroad with won
| derful old millionaire of an uncle. Come,
| let me drive you wherever you are going,
or, better still, let me take you to see baby.
Such dear, darling baby. You will be
enchanted with him. Do come in open
| the door William"