The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-08-18

Deb. You snail nave u lcbttI S'Nil "SN"s
and you must write regularly, toe"
So madame stood smiling to the last, Till
the last glimmer OF the red light at the
end OF the train had vanished, and then
went home, to have it out unrestrainedly
with her sorrow.
CHAPTER xyTTI-AMoSG THE HEATHER.
Craiclarroch was beautiful secluded
spot on the side OF a hill-the advanced
post Of n mountain range, which upheaved
its lofty crssts further inland. 1t looked
west upon the loch ian inlet OF the seal,
which lay directly beneath it, and south
toward the mountains, which tended 10
the east. The wild stretch of rocky heath
er-grown upland, called Strathairiie deer
forest lay To the north, and Immediately
nj the other side OF the hill, barely three
miles distant. was the shooting-lodge OF
Lord Finistoun-
The house was old, gray. and rambling,
having been much added to; and, thanks
TO the shelter of the hill, boosted the orna-
ment Of surrounding woods, not only or
fir-trees, but beech and numerous oaks.
II had been the residence Of the old lairds
of Strathairlie. They had passed away
long ago. and their land. had been divided
among different purchasers. The Lord
Finistoun of that day had bought the deer
forest, and built lodge. Glasgow man
ufacturer bought the house, the home, and
two or three other farms, which formed
the estate OF Craigdarroch, for summer
residence. He failed, and 1t was again
brought to the hammer, whom Sandy
Craig became the posSessor, for sum de-
cidedly below its real value. He also
bought a good deal of the furniture, estab-
fishing himself with much glee. But IL
was somewhat late In life to change his
habits. Farming proved costly amuse-
ment. The want of steady. regular EN-
ployment made him irritable, and cheese
pairing spirit as regarded the consumption
of coal, coupled with the dampness OF mid
winter on the western coast, induced rheu-
matism. So Sandy Craig thought himself
in a very bad way, and betook himself TO
London for superior medical advice, with
the results we have seen.
The place seemed to him after his long
absence at once more beautiful and more
intolerable than it used to be. He longed
to show il to Mona. He longed to hear
her cxclamations of delight at its beauty,
and to display so distinguished looking q
creature as his niece and adopted daughter
for pride was a very ruling passion in the
heart of Sandy Craig
Still it cost him severe mental struggle
to yield so much 10 his strong desire for
Mona's company, US TO write the letter
above quoted. Once done he was fever
ishly eager to reap the fruits OF his sur
render, and reckoned the days till Mons
made her appearance.
After fatiguing journey, for the nigh
was warm, Mona found herself at Glas
Cow in the gray of the morning. Early a
it was, Kenneth. 'in the garb of old Gaul,
awaited her on the platform. He looke'
so martial and magnificent that Mona dit
not rcco IuiZc him ut first. When she dlt
she was disposed 10 laugh ut what sh
considered his fancy dress" He assured
her, however, that it was his habitual cos
tune when among the hills, and that tht
only difference he had made was TO put or
his best go-to-meeting kilt and plaid in hel
honor.
Mot altogether in my honor, Kenneth,
she said, when having collected her lug
gage, they had time TO exchange few
words.
"Well, NAV be not" he returned, witt
happy smile. Now, IL we leave by tn
one-twenty train for Kirktoun, Wen &c
to Craigdarroch by six o'clock. My uncl
agreed not TO expect you before, so you ca
can rest and have breakfast. She is a fer
old friend of Mrs Black, and Mary is JUS
waiting TO welcome you. She is wearyin
to know you, though she will be hal
frightened at so grand a young lady as yo
are"
'Grandl Why, Kenneth, you are cha
fng mel"
He only laughed, and, calling cab, the
drove away through dull streets, as ye
scarcely asttr, to the modest mansion OF
Free Kirk minister, who was already /
his study, and came forth to welcome th
stranger lassie with kindly warmth; the
his wife appeared, as neat and well al
pointed in her cotton morning-dress as
she had made an afternoon toilet; an
lastly; Mary, blushing, with downcast eye
and sweet smile Pickering on her lip
The first thing Mona noticed was ii
golden-red tinge in her soft. abundant hal
''If mine is half as pretty, am content,
she thought as she offered her hand, an
said kindly
81 am very pleased to meet you"
The words-the tone in which they weI
said-made Mary look up, and then ii
smile shone out In her honest light blu
eyes; these, and red-lipped mouth rarel
quite closed over very white teeth, RI
deemed her lace from plalnneSS~ her con
plexion, though clear and good, was muc
freckled, and tho cheek bones were som
what high; still Mary Black was undoub
edly bonnie lassie," and pleasant
look at, as Kenneth evidently thought, ,
his face besmed when his eyes fell upo
her
you'll be awful tired after 30 mar
hours in the train; here, Mary, take Mi
Craig To the spare room. You'll may
like to wash your hands and brush yol
hair Il bit before you eat your breakfastf
''Thank you. feel l need ablution sor
ly."
al am SO very pleased to see you," sa
Mona, when she and Mary had entered u
sacred precincts of Tho spare room.
"And so am | to meet you; Kenneth to
me what good friend you have been
him; but you are not a bit like what / e
pected to see."
a. suppose not; people never are Ii
what is expected"
81 will leave you now; ring when Y