The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-10-20

and have been stronger ever since.
was even getting over the painful longing
for you And now we have met, and am
worse than ever! And you, You seem
sweeter than ever! l feel as il could not
leave your
He pushed the chair from him, and came
to stand beside her, his eyes full of love
and sorrow, his plain face beautiiied by the
spirit that animated him.
The fire of heaven seemed to Mona to
have descended on her heart, and filled 1t
with Joy unspeakable. She let her hands
drop, and, quivering from head to foot, she
almost whispered
"Then do not leave me-"
"Ah, Monaw said Waring, drawing close
TO her, "do not tempt me to renewal of
sufreringl am too desperately in earnest
to be played with; and dare not hope that
you, who rejected me when | could have
given you life of ease, would share my
wild, uncouth home with me now. Sweet
est, how dare l hopeW
He drew her gently into his arms.
'Take me with you," said Mona, raising
her eyes to his, and letting him read in
them moro than words could say.
"My darling! 1t is more than I can be-
lievel Mona, in our short engagement !
do not believe You ever gave me kiss. If
you will give yourself to me now, put your
arms round my neck and kiss me OF your
own free will"
There was an instant's hesitation, and
then her arms stole gently to his neck, and
her lips were pressed to the brown check
he bent to them but for Il second, before
his lips were on hers, clinging to them soft
'lv. passionately, as IL he drew his souls
life from that sweet mouth.
mo, not yet! / cannot let you 20 yeti
Tell me, when did you learn to love mef"
az canno. tell, Leslie. / have never
been indifferent to you since-since / re-
fused to marry you; and when | saw you,
soon began to think should like TO atone
to you"
"Then it is only pity. perhaps?"
81 do not know what it is," said Mona,
with sigh, as she rested her head against
his shoulder; 81 only know that you must
not leave me-"
"And all this time of delicious tortureW
cried Waring, when I ruled myself with
n rod of iron lest l should show you the
love that was burning my heart out, you
imposed upon me with iciness OF mere
friendship. No man could have dreamed
that there was any warmth under such an
exterior"
"How did you come to speak to me at
lastf" asked Mona, with smile.
lit was an inspiration" said Waring. Il
do not know how many kisses you owe me
for the miserable moments 1 haSe had
here"
mo more now, dear Leslie" she said,
in low voice, her cheek growing pale.
her frame trembling, rs he drew her to
him.
"Not onef" he whispered, and he releas-
ed her, while his heart beat with the glori-
Gus consciousness that she loved as pas
sionately as he did himself. II am afraid,
Mona" he resumed, after delicious sill
ence, "that your uncle will not like to let
you come into the wilds with me. But the
place is not really bad; it has been cleared
| for a considerable time, end"
| "Poor Uncle Sandy" she interrupted.
az think he would be willing to give you
the best he had; and / am by no means
sure he considers me that"
| "Needs must. He will miss you dread.
fully"
'Then VIII be the opportunity to suggest
Mary as my successor"
Exactly. Shall ] ask Kenneth to join
me in making double demandi You are
the ruling spirit here"
"That would be too much. But, pray
speak to my uncle to-day. He deserves II
be told at once"
Dinner was got through somehow
Both Kenneth and Mary instinctlvely fel
that something or other had taken place
the former had shrewd idea what.
About q couple of hours after the famil.
meal, n knock was heard ut the door o
Mona's room, where she had intrenchet
herself till the awful explanation with he
uncle had been accomplished.
"Your uncle wants to speak to you
Mona,n said Waring
"Oh, Leslie! How Is her"
1.-THE glass Is at fair weather. Com
along"
Uncle Sandy was looking pale, and wa
sitting unusually upright In his arm-chai
in the library when Mona, with down-cas
|, eyes, and the air Of culprit, came In
closely followed by Waring.
"Aweel," he said, in solemn and some
what tremulous tone, ~ have been hearin
what the grandson o. my auld master ha
to shy. Moo, Mona, my bairn, are yo
willing TO TAX this mon to be your wedde
husbandi"
"I am, uncle" she said, softly and clear
ly.
.If ye are, name has right to withstar
you. would be weel content IL We ha
not to gae sac far AVA; and I'll feel you
loss sair, but ye maun follow the husban
you've chosen"
Dear uncle" said Mona, the tears hang
ing on her long lashes, sit win grieve mi
too, to leave you; you have been fathe
to me, and thank you"
She knelt beside him and kissed his thi
hand.
r "An' father I'll be TO ye, my lambi
Mrs. Leslie, my niece, shall have te
thoosan' pounds to her tocher; and it
glad I'll be that some of my hard earnin
|, go TO the son of the hoose by which ear
ed It. But I'll be lonely mon when y
leave me-"
you need not be, unless you choos
I You can have niece to read to you an
write for you, and take care OF you. Thin
Of 1t, uncle, dear! Make Kenneth as happ
as-as am"
q "Yes, uncle-for you must let me ca
( 10 4