Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-08-24

Isle made no sign. Mona was not sorry.
His presence, without having distinctly
disturbing effect, awoke painful memories,
and obliged her constantly to think before
she spoke At length fairly bright morn
ing broke upon the deluged country, and
Mona undertook to drive into Kirktoun to
execute divers commissions.
Uncle Sandy Directing to be left alone,
Mona departed with only ''the boy'' in at
tendance.
Having finished her business, she turned
the horses head hOmeward, and had
alighted to walk up the steep road which
led from the loch to Craigdarroch, when a
sportsman, with dog and gun, suddenly
emerged from a small wood which filed a
sheltered hollow, and approached her.
She recognized Isle, and paused to speak
to him.
at is more than fortnight since l saw
your he exclaimed, in an aggrieved tone,
while his keen light eyes sparkled with the
Joy of seeing her, and his hard mouth re-
Taxed into pleasant smile.
81 suppose it is, returned Mona, smil-
ing.
at is delightful day for walking VIII
you not tell your servant to take the trap
home, and let me have the pleasure of es-
corting you by the short way to the house"
Mona thought for moment, and then
said-'I will"
Directing the boy to go on, she walked
on beside Isle, and they IL ed off almost
Immediately by path to the fit, that led
by sleeper and more direct line to the
house.
Isle opened the conversation by saying
"You are not bound here for the term of
your natural life, are you?" looking eager
" into her eyes. That unspeakable bore,
Miss Morton, mentioned some absurd re-
port of your uncle intending to marry you
to his wild Highlander Of a nephew. 1t
cannot be true"
"Why?'' asked Mona, demurely.
"Why? A creature like hdu'
"He is very good-Iooking, and most ami
able in disposition"
But one knows how an amiable dispo-
sition may fare at your hands," he returned
somewhat bitterly. Tell me, for Gods
sake, is it possible you can contemplate
such n sacrifice? Do you really think of
linking yourself with Il mere respectable
farmery'
pray remember, if you please, that
Kenneth MacalIster is my near kinsman;
he cannot be socially beneath me"
Il dare say you think me an ill-bred
brute, but you know how profoundly in
terested | have always been in you, and
once in n crisis in your fate, you permitted
me TO advise you"
II do not think you waited for permits
STOMP said Mona, with an arch smile.
81 think never made such mistake in
my lifel am always burning to implore
YOUR forgiveness for my idiotic suggestion. "
'What is there to forgiven" she returned
gently. con the contrary, l ought to be
grateful to you for breaking through the
principle of non-intervention, which, OF
course, would have prevented a man Of the
world doing anything so quixotic as to of
fer a way Of escape tOa damsel in distress
May tell you what my own state o.
mind was at that unhappy juncture?"
mo, no. There is no use in looking
backl Let us thank Heaven for the pres
emit"
Il do not" said Isle, gloomily. "But
do not be enigmatic. You are not goin2
| to marry this-this cousin of yours?"
ono, Sir St. john" returned Mona, as
Stunning an mir of sadness. 81 cannot, see
ing that he has rejected me-"
"WhatW cried Lislc; rejected you2"
Yes. hope you sympathiza with me
! In the shock have received But Kennel
| prefers not to marry me-"
''Thcn old Craig wanted to arrange
marriage?"
He did; but his purpose has been frus
tratedp' returned Mona, with tragic EN-
phasis.
| Lisle laughed.
81 understand. think" he said 'Tm
agine any man refusing gOm | did no
think you had so much quiet sarcasm"
81 am unaware of it, returned Mona.
''And you will not listen TO my explana
tfon?"
81 do not see what you have to explain
| and, were any explanation necessary, there
is no time: we are close to the house, anC
suppose you viii come in and sec Uncl,
Sandy?"
Most certainly. But, Miss Craig,
| must insist mean, | must implore YOU
to hear the explanation l wish to make"
Il really want nonel-porhaps l under
stand moro than you think"
Il fear you may understand in a WRONG
way"
"Well, here we are at the house, anC
| here comes Uncle Sandy and Mary. If
| I'm paroxysm Of hospitality, my uncle
asks you to supper, do not stay. l know
the mCnu and You would not like it."
Then Fastening to meet them, she ex
! claimed
81 have brought You each letter, bu
| there is none for me from Madame Deb
risay. fear something must be the mat
| ter with her"