Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-06
MONH'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

her. and the atmosphere of cheerfulness
she created was infinitely beneficial to the
sufferer a few days saw a decided i'm
proyement. Soon Mona was released from
the fatigue Of regular night watching, and
Nine. Debrisay was about to take more
nourishment; while the doctor announced
that we were 'doing very well indeed"
In few days, Mona had the pleasure of
assisting her friend from her bed to an
easy-chair by the fire, when the ''girl" put
in her head to say there was a gentleman
in the drawing-rOom, and would Miss Craig
speak 20 him.
81 will come directly" said Mona.
Mona soon followed her into the front
room, where cheerful fire was burning,
though otherwise it looked too accurately
neat to have an inhabited air. and there On
the hearth-rug stood LisIe.
The sudden surprise brought quick,
bright blush to Mona's cheek, and she stood
still an instant, the long, straight folds of
her morning-gown sweeping from her
graceful shoulders to the ground, giving
her additional height and dignity.
1T hope I am not taking liberty in call
inc SO early?" said Lisle, coming forward
to clasp the hand she held out, with the
exclamation
81 had no idea it was you'll fancied you
were still in Scotland
'ePray who did you expect then?" asked
Lisle, sharply, as he still held her hand,
and looked with eager inquiry into her
eyes.
General Fielden-a friend of Madame
Debrisay's," withdrawing her hama from
his clasp. 'Have you any message from
nv uncle? Is all well at Craigdarroch?"
'I do not think Mr.. Craig knew that I
was coming to London he returned. ut
was rather a sudden idea OF mine. Are
you not going to ask me to sit DOWN."
ooh, yes! of counsel Pray, sit down, Sir
st. John. am so startled at seeing you,
that I forget my manners" she said, laugh
ing. ''How did you know where I WASP"
''Weli, you see, speak the language,
and 1 asked your killed kinsman. You do
not suppose was going to lose sight Of
you?''
Something in his tone-his eyes-madc
Mona uneasy She did not want to come
to any explanation with him. She did not
want to quarrel with him. Yet she told
herself thai he could not have been so &c
centric as to have fallen in love with her
over again. Had he really cared for her,
he would never have tried to hand borrower
to another.
II have been too busy, and too anxious
about my friend Madame Debrisay, to
think of anything else," said Mona, coldly,
rs she drew low chair to the fire; and
Lisle seated himself at the table.
"Yes | understand, you have been do
ing the Sister of Mercy business and you
look like it. Those bewildering eyes of
yours look weary, and your cheek is pale.
You want air and light. Can you not get
off duty for an hour or two, and drive with
me to Harrow or Richmond? 1t is a fine
brisk day, and it would be heavenly to
have you all to myself for even a short
spell"
you are-very good, Sir st. john" re-
turned Mona, calmly, ''but it is impossible
could leave my patient yet"
Later, then, l may be able to persuade
you"
''You viii not stay long in town at this
unreasonable season." she said. "And L
do not know when Madame Debrisay will
be well enough to spare me-"
"Oh, l shall be in town some time yet.
You should not have left your uncle's side
all unguarded, Miss Craig. Your friend,
Miss Black, seems a very insinuating young
person, and it strikes me that Mr.. Kenneth
Macalister is considerably attracted to her
bonny blue een.''
''Why do you think SOP"
Don't you know that sort of electric
atmosphere encompasses man and woman
who are in love, which reveals itself in
lightning flashes of intelligence? No man
who has loved, and still loves, can breathe
it without compromising much that is
unspoken."
''That is quite a new idea to me-"
''No doubt it isl You are too cold to feel
these subtle influences. You used not to
be so cold, Mona-I mean Miss Craigi You
used to yibrate eXquisitely to the touch of
feeling Or"
Il have no doubt was q silly, impress
sionable girl, like most debutdlteS."
mol there were not many debutGnteS
like you, at least in my estimation, as no
doubt you know
''As to Kenneth and Miss Black" said
Mona, turning 4 deaf ear to this compli-
ment, 81 think they are attached to each
other, and it is my favorite scheme that
they should marry, and comfort the last
days of my uncle"
Not q bad idea only they would cutyou
outp'
"Oh, should take my chance of that
at least it would give me freedom"
"Freedom Ali And what would you
do with ity''
"a tremendous question: When the
time came you should see."
"Mona-" began Lisle, in a tone the APP
pealing tenderness of which made Mona's
heart beat vehemently; when Mrs. Puddi-
ford, short and puffy, in her morning print
dress and apron, opened the door and ask
ed
would you see General Fielder, Miss,
He says he will not keep you many min
utes."
"Pray show him in" said Mona, with
alacrity
Whereupon the warli6e-looking veteran
described by Madame Debrisay, entered,
erect and austere in aspect, and making q
fine old-fashioned bow to the young lady,
said in quick, staccato style
Miss Craig, presumed"
Mona rose and bent her head, smiling
graciously as she did so.
''Took the liberty of asking to see you.
Thought you would let me know how
Madame Debrisay really is. It's always
Better, better, BETTER with servants, till
they startle you with-'Please, sir, he Cor
she) died this morningr"
Il happy to say, my dear friend,
Madame Debrisay, is much BETTER" said
Mona, looking kindly into his eyes. ''She
is sitting up for the first time this morn.
ing. In few days hope she will be able
to see you. She greatly enjoyed the de
lightful grapes you sent her."
Ibid she? Glad of i'll There's another
basket out in the hall"
A short pause ensued, whlchwas broken
by Isle saying in his pleasantest, frankesi