Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-16

Here, Jessie, set chair for the Teddy by
me, and bring cups and plates. Where'u
the ither Teddy sit? Kenneth, maxi room
'twixt you and Mona"
''Thank you, Mr.. Craig" said Lady Fin
lstoun, in her soft, sweet tones; "a cup OF
tea will be most refreshing after our long
drive; for stupidity lost my way, and my
groom is a Londoner."
"There is a remarkable fine air here; it's
better than what you have over in Strath-
airlie," returned Uncle Sandy. "You see,
we are sheltered frae the north, an we get
MAR sun-forbye the porridge. I nave
/ lust insisted on her takin' porridge to her
| breakfast
"Porr1dge is exceedingly indigestib1e, and
bad for the complexion" said Miss Nor
/ ton, between the mouthsful of crea ID
! scenes.
you're wrangr' cried Uncle Sandy.
"Just look at the men and women that are
reared Oh porridgel There's no their equals
to be found on earthp'
'My dear sir, l don't imagine you have
seen much of earth beyond your native
| land"
You're wrang there again, mem. I've
| just come back from over years wander
ing VII my niece about the Continent Of
anu GUeI0 1lGG1S SAW LGGr0 IQdG
| I'd care to taxi awa'."
"Ah, see you are one of the large class
who think their geese swans"
Pm much obliged for your high opeen-
ion, mem; but I am no such fule-body.
have the maist intelligent men of all times
on my side"
''Miss Morton has an intellectual love of
argument" said Lady Finistoun, sooth-
ingly, "and is generally in opposition to
the foeman she considers most worthy of
her steel. But am anxious to see your
charming gardens, if there is time after
tea. Sir st. John Lisle tells me it is gem
of place"
"Weel, hope you will come as often as
you like to look at it," returned Uncle San
! dy.
"It is admirably situated "a family
place, I SUPPOSED" asked Miss Morton,
passing up her cup.
"Nawr' exclaimed Uncle Sandy; 81
bought it wi my ain Kard-earned money"
"Oh, you lucky mani Of all powers, the
one envy most is the power of making
money"
"You have quite enough, DEAR" said
Lady Finistoun. ''Now. my dear Mr..
Craig l want you to spare my cousin to
me for q few days. 1t is so long since we
were together, and as we have rather a
pleasant party, and the change
"She's no your COUSIN" said Uncle San
dy, hastily; "she has no kin except me.
| Her grandmother's kin fell from her when
she most needed them"
But she is indeed my cousin; and
through her l claim you, too, my dear Mr..
Craig, as kinsman, if you will permit the
claim"
cit would be hard to say ye nay" he re-
turned, smile pickering up his self-satis-
fed face. "Mona may please herself"
do you always wear the kilt?" said Miss
Morton, abruptly, to Kenneth.
MOSTLY, when Pm amang the heather"
tits very becoming" said she, with an
admiring glance. 81 do not wonder at
Highland gentleman wearing it; but you
are all very cOnceited."
81 am sorry you think So"
Don't you admit it?"
81 am not sure"
'Ahi that is the cautious Scot all over.
| Tell me, are you his nephew" nodding in
the direction of Uncle Sandy.
az am"
"And Miss Craig's brothers"
mo; my name is Kenneth Macalister"
"Ahl Highland to the backbone. Then
is this young lady your sister?''
Kenneth and Mary blushed simultane-
ously.
81 see. No, certainly not" returned
Miss Morton, with harsh laugh. "Now,
Mr.. Macalister, the room is rather warm;
haven't you a shrubbery or garden, or
something to show me? don't care to sit
here any longer"
Kenneth rose reluctantly.
''Oh, yes, l can take you for stroll"
81 am going to look at the grounds" said
the resolute spinster to her chaperon, with
Mr.. Macalister"
my niece will" began Uncle Sandy,
but Miss Morton promptly interrupted
him.
ooh, no, thank you; l don't want any
young ladies; Highlander is enough for
me-" and she walked off, followed some
what sheepishly by Kenneth.
''Milly Morton processes not to like wo-
| men," explained Lady Finistoun, laughing.
''Mair's the pity" said Uncle Sandy, dry
ly, ''for Pm thinking few men would like
herr'
81 assure you they do. She is very pop
ular, and has had endless offers-to be
sure she has a good fortune"
"Weel, weel! siller is nae everything to
a wife. Moo, if you'll taxi nae mair tea,
pll 80 round the grounds with you myself"
''Inank you," and Lady Finistoun sat
isfied her hosts heart with EXPLANATIONS
of admiration and Observation-Disclosures
fiattery.
''Well. my dear sir, I must tear myself
away. The shades of evening will be round
| US before we reach the Lodge. Now, where
| has Miss Morton wandered to with that
! good-l oking Highlander? 1t will be dark
| before we can 90 home"
81 think they went round by the big
| oak" said Mona. "I will go and look for
| them"
! When found, Miss Morton proposed-as
| it was only three miles to the Lodge by the
| short cut oyer the hill-to walk back under
| Kenneth's escort, a suggestion which evil
| IDENTIFY alarmed him.
This Lady Finistoun decidedly mega
! tived.
Don't talk such nonsense, my dear.
/ Mr.. Macalister would not get back till
| midnight, and you would be too late for
| dinner. Three miles over a hilltop are
equal to six on a fiat road. Come let Us be
! going"
"You are a little tyrant," said Miss Nor
| ton.
''Will you walk with me to the gate,
| Mona, while they are bringing round the
! phaetons l am sure Mr.. Macalister will
come so lar with Miss Morton"
''With pleasure" cried Mona.
Having bid cordial farewell to Uncle
Sandy, and a civil goodbye to Mary, Lady
| Finistoun slipped her arm through Mona's,
and they walked slowly down the approach.