Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-02
hONH'o CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

Troubled? Yes, l should think so. In
deed, am not one bit more forward than
when we parted, and I doubt if I shall get
away this summer. Then Mr.. Black is in
worse health than ever: we fear we will
have to leave the school; and here is nv
uncle hurrying me to marry you-or, rath-
er, to ask you again"
''WeIl, ask me again, Kenneth said
Mona, sweetly, land I'll give you the same
answer"
''Eh, it will be hard to put him off now,"
groaned Kenneth; she is bent upon it what
ever''
Still, you cannot marry me against my
will"
mo; but Uncle Sandy says you refused
grand nobleman for my sake, Mona?"
No; for my own sake. He was a poor,
half-witted creature Kenneth, we must
put stop to thisl You must tell Uncle
Sandy that you have asked me again, and
that have refused you; tell him you do
not care to have anything to do with girl
who is so averse to accept you. If my IN
Gle calls me to account. I will settle the
matter very quickly"
1t was late when they reached home, and
found that Uncle Sandy had retired to bed
with bad headache, and, according to
Nine. Debrisay, bad fit of sulks, as he
had lost the game-and to be beaten, es-
pecially by woman, was intolerable.
Your uncle desired me to say that he
wished to see you late or early tomorrow
evening, Mr.. Kenneth, Us she concluded, $50
try and come as early as you CAM
Every WE'LL" said Kenneth, looking as if
he did not like it.
"Do you think tomorrow viii be the
crucial test, KENNETH" asked Mona, an
swering the look.
81 feel as if it would be-"
''Then do not fear. You will get through,
and it is better to have it out"
All the next day Uncle Sandy was silent
touchy, dissatisfied. He felt out of sorts,
and was quite sure the veal he had eaten
the previous day had not been sufficiently
cooked. How was it that he could eat veal
abroad, and not at home? ETC., etc.
These symptoms BODIED i'll for the even
ing's interview
When tea-time approached. Mona OBJ
served
''As you want to speak particularly to
Kenneth Macalister this evening, shall I
go out of the way to Nine. Debrisay?"
"NawI' said Uncle Sandy, emphatically
'IIl likely want you, so you had best be at
hand in your own ROOM"
Every well" returned Mona.
Kenneth presented himself in tolerably
good time-yet not before Uncle Sandy had
begun to fidget and fret because he had not
come sooner.
The private conference between uncle
and nephew had not lasted long, before
message was dispatched to Mona, who was
trying to read in her own room.
''Mr. Craig says would you please to
come down, miss?"
So Mona descended. Uncle Sandy was
grasping the arms Of his chair, and speak
ing in an angry tone. Kenneth was stand
ing on the hearth-rug, with flashing eyes
and heightened color.
'Such willfu' contumaciousness, )" were
the words which Kissed from Uncle Sandy's
lips as his niece entered the room.
Come here, Mona! Is it true what Ken
neth's been telling me-that you have
again refused to be his wife?"
cit tsp
''And has he sought you with the respect
and perseverance that he should
show?"
Eyes, uncle. have no fault whatever
to find with him"
'"Then why are you sac obstinate? Why
will you reject what's f or your ain good
and happiness, and refuse to agree to what
/ have planned for your"
'I am sorry to disappoint you, uncle, but
it is impossible 1 can let anyone choose a
husband for me-"
"And | must declare I Gamma wish to
marry young Teddy who has refused me
three times! 1t would be very unwise to
take reluctant wife. May be some other
young Teddy
Kenneth got so far, when Mr.. Craig in
terrupted him bitterly
SAY, ay, my ladl there's as good fish in
the sea as ever was caught; and l see it's
no YOUR fault. l don't know what's the
matter VII you, Mona? If you have an
other lad in your e'e, it'll be some ne'er-do
weel, I am afeard. If it's yon sneering
deevil Everard, he wad ma walk across the
street for you. You'll be sorry for your
contradictiousness one day"
''My dear uncle" laughing, 81 never
supposed BERTHE Everard cared for mortal
but himself. l assure you 1 have no lad OF
any description in my minds eye"
'Aweeln' cried Uncle Sandy, greatly en-
ragged, sit is varra ungrateful and unbe-
coming to max laughing-stock OF your
uncle, wha has spent a kist O. siller on you!
To think that you'll refuse a fine good
young man, and never give thought to
your puir uncles comfort all for mere sell
fishness, and an ill-placed fancy. You,
Kenreth just give notice to your employ
ers, and come AVA WI me to Craigdarroch.
And you, Mona, | am done wiz you; you
may 90 to your chum. | renounce you;
a1J16 ri
mothers fine aristocratic friends, and
look down on folks that are better than
yourself"
"But, uncle, cannot" began Kenneth.
do not contradict him." whispered
Mona, passing close by, as she approached
her uncle. Goodbye, then," she said,
kindly, Il will never offer to return, butif
you want me, and ask me, l will come to
youi"
She tried to take his hand, but he pushed
hers away, and turned his face from her
like naughty child
Mona looked at him kindly, and a little
sadly, and tken left the room, forbidding
Kenneth, by gesture, to follow her.
CHAPTER XVu.-AT VARIANCE.
A change had indeed come DER the spirit
OF her dream. Mona scarcely expected
such energetic action on her uncle's part.
That he would be angry she expected, but
| she did not think he would take such
strong measures. However, there was
nothing for it but submission to the decree
| of Punishment pronounced against ner; she
therefore packed up her belongings, told
the landlady she was going away for a
short time, and retreated to Nine. Debri-
say.
! The lady was not at home. She had
| gone to pass the evening with German