The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-09-22

TepDse III NliuuSE, aS IL tue
fervesence of youth had entirely evaporat-
ed, and left slightly weary but kindly
quietude behind.
He ate his dinner as IL he liked it, and
did not say much; once he looked round
the pretty, comfortable room admiringly,
and exclaimed
"You cannot think, Mr.. Craig. how de-
lightful all this seems to me. The bright
silver and glass, the flowers, the look of
refinement-these things want woman's
touch.'
81 suppose you have 10 young leddies oot
yonderf"
"No; my partner, like myself, is bach
elor. Indeed, it has hitherto been too
rough for ladies; but we are improving
rapidly. We had nearly finished log
house when left; quite an architectural
mansion" added Waring, laughing.
His laugh w9s still frank and pleasant.
81 hope your partner is an honest man."
quoth Mr. Craig.
"Ihope so too Indeed, / believe he is
he comes of n respectable English family,
and has been accustomed to the life of a
rancho since his early boyhood. He is
frst-rate judge Of cattle and horses; and il
he had not much money capital TO put into
the venture, he contributes what is quite
as valuable-knowledge and practice"
"Eh. I'm &c that sure. There's as much
danger as profit sometimes in the knowl-
edge of penniless men"
"Oh, Watson is not penniless; and he is
really n very good fellow"
"That is fortunate" said Mona, forcing
herself to join in the conversation. 81 sup
pose you have no other companion"
None. a chance traveller asks for hos
pitality now and then, but lie never stays
long"
at must be a lonely life though should
not dislike it," said Kenneth.
81 certainly do not There's freedom and
plenty of work, and when night comes one
is too tired for anything but good nights
rest"
"And daur say you are mair peaceful
and content to be AVA frae yon pow-sow-
die o. conceited fules and grinning cheats
they ca the great world, )" said Uncle Sandy,
viciously.
"Oh, human nature is pretty much tho
same in the wilderness or in the world of
social life," said Waring, good-humorcdly.
at would be but poor philosophy to cry
out against the world have left because
/ played the fool there; Oh my head be it
il I threw away my fortune There are as
many good fellows-or as few good fellows
in one state of life rs another"
II believe that" said Kenneth. 81
should like well TO see your place. Mr..
Waring."
why don't you come out for bit. It
is sort of life you would like. think"
'Eh, but he has his work cut oot for him
herer' cried Uncle Sandy He'll find IL
best to bide VII me. Moo, tell me how
mony head o. cattle have ye forbye horses"
And the three men plunged into talk,
from which Mona collected that Waring
had invested almost all the capital left him
after much wild extravaganza and fool
ish speculation-in ranch near the fam
Gus redwoods on the Pacific coast, and
that, rs yet, he had realized very little,
though his hopes were high, and he had
evidently thrown himself fenergetically into
the undertaking.
She kept silence gladly. Warnings
presence-his steady composure, his quiet
submission to the inevitable-touched her
deeply. She longed to cry out
''Have you forgiven me' Can / atone
for the pain ! infiictedf"
But most probably he had nearly forgot
ten that he once loved her, and hoped to
pass his life with her. She painted TO be
alone, to disentangle her thoughts-to
master the disturbance of her mind.
AS they seemed SO absorbed in conyersa-
ton, Mona thought she might slip away
unobserved; but her uncle noticed her
movement
''Bide bit, my lassiel' he cried. "We
have sat here lang enough; We'll n come
VII We to the drawing-room. You shall
sing Us sang, and then I'll gang AVA to
my bed. My niece sings fine, Mr.. War
ing" he added, as he took Mona's arm.
FL know that, Mr.. Craig" returned War
ing, opening the door for them to pass
through; II remember her songs we'll"
Mona felt that she blushed crimson,
while she said, In a low tone, to her uncle
81 have scarcely any voice to-night-do
not ask me TO sing"
'Hoot, toot, my dearie you'll please us
weel."
Mona stood moment irresolute after
Uncle Sandy had tumbled into the depths
of his chair. Waring came to her side. and
looking kindly, and perhaps little sadly,
into her eyes, said
Don't refuse, Miss Craig You don't
voice Is to an exile like myself, especially
as in few days shall go back to the wilds
again."
"Then / will do my best" returned
Mona, simply, and she went TO the piano.
The song she choose was a pretty, quaint
German ditty she had learned while abroad
for she did not wish To revive painful re-
collections by singing anything that might
be familiar to Waring. He moved away,
and sat in deepest thought while he listen
ed.
"Aweel, that's not ane o. my favorites.
am not much of musician-my oppor-
tunities have been scant-but / have an
guide ear" said Uncle Sandy.
s'Give us a Scotch sang my dearier'
IF am not presuming too far" said
Waring, coming over To lean on the piano,
"Might ask for an old favorite-'R Robin
Adairy"
"Ay, that win do" from Uncle Sandy.
"I need not have been so careful TO spare
his feelings" thought Mona. II am max
Ing fool of myself. 1t is an age since /
attempted it," she said aloud: but viii
10 Q