San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-02
M ONA'S CHOICE.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.

dinner, after which Mr.. Craig Slumbered
for a couple of hours, and Mona was free
if the weather did not permit of going ont;
a walk to the farm-yard or round the gar
den if it did; tea and the newspaper; more
work or music on MOna's part, more sleep
on Mr.. Craig's; little talk with Kenneth,
then supper and bed. Day afterday alike.
Mona did not think she could live through
another winter
At last the post brought excitement
surprise-an entirely new set of ideas-in
letter from Nine. Debrisay.
MY DEAREST MoNA:-I suppose You think
me one of the most worthless and migrate
full women in the world Well, just wait,
and you will excuse me. My dear, imagine
me writing behind big fan to hide my
bushes! About a week ago had come in
very tired from one of my first attempts to
do my usual days work, and was refresh
ing myself with a cup of tea, when in
walked my general. | sent for another
cup, and we sal down cOzily together.
"'You are looking very ill., he said, so
StaccatO that he made me jump.
"I dare say am said |. 1T is fatiguing
at first. In another week | shall be all the
better for my work. 1t would do me small
good TO sit here alone
That's true he returned, as if he felt
the truth in the bottom of his heart; that's
just what l think and we each drained a
gOblet-nO, mean cup, so deep was our
conviction! Still said he, as if out of his
thoughts, Il don't like to see you killing
Yourself
"'Indeed do not want to do anything
of the kind; life is still worth living for me-
THAT'S because you have a good hearth
he cried. fOrtissimo.
"'DOn't fiatter,' said |.
"l do mott never did, sad he. Now,
am rather lonely-sO are you; suppose
YOU come abroad with me and take care of
me? It's not much of an offer to a hand
some woman still in her prime said he,
very civilly.
my dear general, said l, what would
the world say
"'We'll gag the world, my dear Madame
Debrisay, if you have no objection to go
through little ceremony
Good gracious, general l cried, do
yOu want to marry me?
81 do said ne, very stOutly. Il haven't
much to offer you, but | can leave you
enough for independence. We have both
borne the burden of the day, so let us spend
peaceful evening together | am a gruff
sort of fellow but not bad at heart: and
I'll not grOwl more than can help. just
turn it over in your mind, and will come
tomorrow for an answer. If you say yes,
we might get things arranged, and start in
ten days or so for Nice"
We'll. dear, | have said Yes and
think have done we'll We are to be mar
ried at the registry office, as neither of us
are at the romantic age when we might
want to make religious festival of it.
Herr and Frau Nachtigall are to he my
witnesses, and an ancient veteran, an old
COmrade of General Flelden'S, is to be his.
think the dear Old fellow is quite fond of
me- He brings me presents every day; one
time pair of gloves lined with fur; then q
watch lit belonged to his wife, ] imagine,
but ii is gOOu and pretty, then warm
cloak. He is strong i'll wraps, and Is quite
cheerful about being married. Well, Mona,
I'll do my very best to make him happy
and comfortable. He is a good soul and
real gentleman. He sends his love to you,
and says he is quite ready aud willing to
adopt you at any time: so, dear, you
have not lost me-yOu have kept me and
gained another and a much more potent
friend. Write and tell me what you think
of all this. shall long to see you, and
Uncle Sandy must spare you to us when
We come back 10 Paris in the spring.
always your loving friend,
&c. DEBRISAY."
Mona read this important cOmmunica-
ton with sincerest pleasure. 81 will go
and write a letter of congratulation, and /
will send her poor grannies cat's-eye and
diamond bracelet for a wedding present;
it is the prettiest thing | have. | wonder
will my uncle think of giving her any
thing?" Here that gentleman'S stick was
heard tap-tapping as he approached after
an expedition to the pOultry-yard with
Kenneth
ooh, Uncle Sandy" she cried, as he
came in and threw himself into his partc-
ular chair, II have just had letter from
Madame Debrisay. She is going to be
married.
Married! Aweel, there's nae fule like
an old fule! I'll be bound she's goin' to
tax some lad that might be her sonr' he
exclaimed, with severe contempt.
You are wrong, uncle; she is going to
marry General Fielden-whO must be 1lf-
teen or twenty years older than she is-a
nice old gentleman, who wants someone
to take care of him and make his last days
comfortable; so they think it wiser and
more respectable to be married"
That sounds maiT reasonable. Has the
general ony sller? These soldier men scat.
ter mair than they gather. It's just mis-,
fOrtin' to the country to have the like o.
them to support
He is not rich, " returned Mona, leaving
her uncle's abstract observation unanswer-
ed but fairly well off-at least for all
they will want. | am very, very glrd of
this news for though dear Madame Deb
risay has worked so hard do not think
she has laid by anything, and the time will
come when she can work no more"
That's true, Mona; but it's no every
young lassie would think OF, an it mak's
me think o. yourself. I'll not forget you,
my dearie; and I'll no put it off ony mair.
I'll go doom to Glasga', the week after
next, and see Mr.. Cochran-that's my
man o. business-abOut putin a codicil to
my will. Ye see, hoped aud hoped you
and Kenneth would max it loot together.