Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-08-31
MONH'o CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.


Mona's common-sense and careful observ-
ance of the doctors directions soon taught
her, and the atmosphere of cheerfulness
she created was infinitely beneficial to the
sufferer A few days saw a decided i'm
provement. 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 grip put
in her head to say there was 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-rng stood Isle.
The sudden surprise brought a 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.
~ hope am not taking liberty In call
ing so early?" said Isle, coming forward
to clasp the hand she held out, with the
exclamation
~ had no idea it was you! fancfed you
were still in Scotland"
pray. who did you expect them" asked
Lsle, 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
my uncle2 Is all well at Craigdarroch7"
II do not think Mr. Craig knew that |
was coming to London" he returned. ut
was rather sudden idea Of mine. Are
Won not going to ask mo to sit down"
ooh, yes! Of course! Pray, sit down, Sir
St. John. am so startled at seeing you,
that forget my manners" she said, laugh
ing Hoy did you know where l was?"
"Wcll, you see, I speak the language,
and asked your killed kinsman. You do
not suppose was going to lose sight OF
your
Something in his tone-his eyes-madc
Mona uneasy. She did not want to como
to any explanation with him. She did not
want TO quarrel with him. Yet che told
herself that 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 her over
to another
II have been too busy, and too anxious
about my friend Madame Debrisay, to
think Of anything else" said Mona, coldly,
as she drew n low chair to the fire; and
Lisle seated himself Mt the table.
'Ycsl ! understand, you have been do
ing the Sister Of Mercy business, and you
look Ike 1t. Those bewidoring 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? IL is n fine
brisk day, and 1t would be heavenly to
have you all TO myself for even short
spell"
You are very good, Sir st. john" re-
turned Mona, calmly, "but it IS impossible
! could leave my patient yet"
Later, then, | may be able to persuade
you"
You will not stay long in town at this
unreasonable season." she said. "And
do not know when Madame Dcbrfsay will
be well enough to spare me-"
"Oh, shall bo in town some time yet
You should not have left your unclo's side
all unguardcd, Miss Craig. Your friend,
Miss Black, seems a very insnuating young
person, ana it strikes me that Mr.. Kenneth
Macalistcr Is considerably attracted to her
bonny blue cen"
'Why do you think SOP"
Don't you know that u sort OF electric
atmosphere encompasses man and woman
who are in love, which reveals itself. in
lightning flashes of intelligence? No man
who hus loved, and still loves, can breathe
1t without Comprchcnding much that is
unspokcn."
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 mean Miss Craigl You
used to yibrate eXqustcly to the touch of
feeling or"
Il have no doubt was n silly, impress
slonablo girl, like most dcbutuutcs."
mol there were not many dcbWGntcs
like you, mt least in my estimation, as no
doubt you know"
AS to Kenneth and Miss Black" said
Mona, turning n deaf ear to this compli-
meut, II think they arc attached to each
other, and il Is my favoritc scheme that
they should marry, and comfort the last
days Of my uncle"
Not a bad idea, only they would cutyou
outp'
"Ohl should take my chance of that
ut least il would give me freedom"
Precedent Ali And what would you
do with it?'
"A tremendous question: When the
time came YOU should see"
Mona began Lsle In a tone the ap-
pcalIng tenderness of which made Mona's
heart beat vchcmently; when Mrs Puddl-
ford, short and puffy, in her morning print
dress and apron, opened the door and ask
ed
Would you see General Ficldcn, MIss'
Tie says he will not keep you many min
utcs'
Pray show him in" said Mona, with
alacrity.
Whercupon the warlilleloolling veteran
described 10y Madame Debrisay, entered,
erect and austere in aspect, and making a
fine old-fashioncd bow 10 the young lady,
said TN quick, StaCCato style
Miss Craig, presumc?H
Mona rose and bent her head. smiling
graCiously rs she did SO.
''srool the liberty of asking to see YOU.
Thought you would let me know how
Madame Dabrisay really is It's always
Better, better. better with servants, till
they staruo you with-Please, slr, he (or
shcl died this morningr"
II happy to say, my dear friend,
Madame Dehrisay, Is much better" said
Mona, looking kindly into his eyes. "Shc
Is sitting up for the first time this morn
ing. In n few days l hope she will be able
TO see You. She greatly enjoyed the de-
lightful grapes you sent her"
Did she2 Glad of i'll There's another
basket out in the hall"
A short pause ensucd. which was broken
by liSle saying in his pleasantest, frankest
manner
Il think | had the pleasure of meeting
General Ficldeu-at narrowly Chase
somo years ago, though probably you do
not remember me-
IL know your face, but l cannot fit II
with q name" returned the general, look
ing sharply at him.
My name is Lisle. was then captain
in the til Hussars. and have been since
OH Sir Arthur Wriothesly's staff"
"Ah, yes; | remcmber You won the
military steeple-chasc ut Bundleporo last
year. Waller. OF your regiment. was tell
Ing me about it, etc, and the general
seemed settling himself to enjoy military
and sporting gossip.
They viii stay all the afternoon"
thought Mona, Il cannot stay here to lis
ten"
"As you seem to know each other" she
said, Il will so and see if my patient wants
anything"