Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-08-17

recognition from her? If she were cold,
II she shrunk from him, or repelled him,
he could understand it, and he would know
how to act: but this frank, charming kind
ness, this readiness to be with him! 1t was
an invisible, impossible fence which he
did not seem capable OF breaking down.
eff could but ascertain whether l have
a rival or no, he thought, 81 should know
what to do. suspect she is playing
part What is her object? To be Lady
Lisles That would be object enough TO
most women; but, though 1 have long
ceased TO believe in angels, Mona is some
thing different, or she never would have
chosen poverty in preference to Waring.
Well, PII try what cool friendship will
do, with a dash of flirting in other direc-
tons"
"There is the Lodge" he said, pointing
to long, low building, or collection Of
buildings, which lay in hollow beneath
them, the wild moOrland round it, and
some huge gray rocks behind. 1.-THE posi-
ton is not comparable to Craigdarroch,
and it must be cold and bleak enough in
winter. But / suppose no one stays here
in winter"
81 fancy my uncle will" said Mona,
land l cannot say | like the prospect,
But" as the sound of a rapidly approach
ing carriage made her turn, and she inter-
rupted herself to exclaim-" is Lady
Finistoun and her visitors!"
$50 glad have oyertaken your cried
Lady Finistoun, saluting with her whip.
Il wanted to be at home to receive you.
Let us pass, Sir ST. John"
Isle rev to one side, and whipping up
her ponies, Lady FinistOun dashed on at
rapid pace.
At the door were assembled Miss Nor
ton, BERTHE Everard, and Herr Won Oetzen,
one of the attaches to the German EmbaS-
sly. The rest of the party were still in the
forest, and Lord FinistOun had gone deer
stalking
Lady Finistoun had alighted, and stood
on the steps to welcome Mona, which she
did very cordially, kissing her more than
once, and presenting her to Mrs. Mentieth
as her dear cousin"
49," said Everard, advancing to shake
hands with her, you have been assigned
to LisIe's care, on rCric1lt tOuj0urs, eh?"
"Oh, my mission is to take care Of my
self" returned Mona, smiling. II did not
know you had arrived"
Game last night. Had l known that
Uncle Sandy's lair was between this and
Klrktoun, | should have paid you visit
en- route. Well, Mona, and have you re-
covered the Fitzallan episode? The poor
fellow has had a desperate affair since.
We have had to buy OFF the lady! How is
my uncle7 Are You the acknowledged
heiress of Craigdarroch?"
"Alas, mol There is a cousin in the way.
You must assist me to poison him"
with pleasure. We will arrange the
terms of the desperate deed after dinner"
Come, Mona, the dressing bell will ring
In a few minutes. You shall have a cup of
tea in your room"
The dinner was plcasant-even noisy, as
most OF the men were young and inclined
TO discuss their adventures eagerly. Mona
was taken In by an honest-looking naval
captain, who made himself very agreeable;
and Lisle fell to the lot of frisky widow.
with whom he fiirted Rayly. Everard and
Miss Morton quarreled audibly.
The young heir was paraded, and his
health drank; and after dinner Lady Fin
Istoun and her sister-in-law went up to
look at him in his cot. Then Mona was
reminded that she used to sing, and was
sent to the piano, where she was surround
ed by some of the gentlemen rs soon as
they came in from dinner. The ottdchs
complimented her on her rendering u Volk-
SLED, and talked to her for few moments
In German.
''Then Lisle, who had not been near her
since they had arrived, came close behind
her, and said, in a low tone
May ask you for TOsti's Goodbye,
Summer 1t is tho last song heard you
sing"
WAS it'" said Mona. GLOW well she
remembered that last happy evening at
the ChaseD 81 am afraid | can hardly
manage 1t without the music, but l will
try"
She succeeded in singing It sweetly and
correctly, but sho might have put more ex-
preston In It,
Thank YOU" said Isle, shortly.
Il don't think you sing as well as you
did. YOu used TO give that in a much
more melting style formerlyr cried Ever
ard.
Sorry have deteriorated," said Mona,
good-humoredly, rs she took up her gloves
and left the piano.
The German dttGche sat down unlimited,
and after rattling Off a brilliant moroccan,
gltded into an inspiring waltz.
After tapping her foot for minute or
two, Miss Morton boldly invited one of tho
younger men, bOyish North mbrian
squire, TO dance with her, and they were
soon gyrattns in the hall, the floor of which
was polished oak, the open door permit
ting the music to DO distinctly heard.
Lady Flmstoun followed with her brother
in-law, and Lisle, who had been talking
with his host, ceased to speak, after lis
teninG for \ few minutes, and crossing to
the door way where Mona was standing,
said
Shall we follow this wild examplef I
have scarcely danced since we waltzed to-
gether at the Chase. VIII you trust your
self with mes"
Yes" returned Mona, In low voice.
So Isle put his arm round her, holding
her to him more closely than was absolute
~ necessary, and they swung round in
time TO the music. Mona. however, soon
declared that it was so long since she had
danced, that she felt tired and giddy al
most Immediately, and disengaginG her
self from her partner, sat down beside
Mrs. Mentieth, Il plain, pleasant-man-
nered woman, with degree of military
decision in her tone. She had married
light dragon of moderate means, and had
never regretted 1t
l4isle stood by her for some time watch
ing for an opportunity to talk TO her I'M
heard by others, but none offered.
'if You can spare Sir. ST. John Lisle!''
cried Miss Morton, suddenly standing be-
fore Mona, Il have suffered enough at the
hands and feet OF an incompetent partner,
and want n few really good turns before
that delightful waltz stops"
MY dear Miss Morton, it is nearly four
years since | bounded on the light fantas-
tic toe" said Isle, coolly, land l am not,
Miss Craig will tell you equal TO conduct
you through the may dance. l am going
to have Il cigar in the garden" and he
strolled away
81 really think Captain-I mean Sir st.
John Lisle-can be frightfully rude! He
was always one of the most conceited and
heartlesS Of menI You remember that af-
fair OF Lady Marchmont; he really threw
her over scandalouslyr'
81 think Lady Marchmont was quite
capable OF taking care Of herself Iisle is
just an ordinary man Of the world-a little
above the average in intelligence" said
Mrs. Mentieth.
We'll, l would not have any young per-
son put much trust in him." she returned,
Significantly. You ought to have brought
over that handsome cousin Of yours, Miss
Craig. He might have taught US some
reel steps. want very much to learn the
Highland Fling"
81 never saw Kenneth dance" said Mona.
KENNETH What charming nameI He
has u