The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-11-20
M0NAl'S: CHOICE,
BY MRs ALEXANDER

not long been thus employed when THE
sound Of wheels upon the gravel attracted
their attention.
sit Gamma be Kenneth, yet" said Uncle
Sandy, glancing at the clock.
mo, he has hardly reached Kirktour
yet y returned Mona.
There Is u gentleman who wants tc
speak WI you,' satd the little help. coming
into the room in the neat cap Mona insisted
on her wearing.
"Aweel, put him in the museum" re,
Piled her master.
Eth, but he's just behind mc!' cried the
girl, stepping back. whereupon u gentle
man in shooting dress walked in, q listin.
guished-looking man, with a imbrowned
face, rather light eyes, and thick mustache
lyon will, / hope, excuse he was be
ginning in the clesr, naughty voice Mons
remembered SO well, when his eyes met
hers, and he stopped, growing suddenly
silent with surprise.
Mona laid aside her paper, and rising,
advanced quictly saying, US she did So
GLOW do you do, Captain Lisle?"
Miss Joscelyn! This is quite an uney
pected pleasure ne exclaimed, taking the
hand she offered, aud evidently more
moved than she was.
"Hoo's thiss Do you know Sir st. John
Lisley" cried Mr.. Craig.
~ used to know Captain Lislc," returned
Mona, smiling, and looked steadily athim
81 had the pleasure OF meeting Mis-.
Joscelyn in London some years ago"
THERE'S no Miss Joscelyn here" inter
rupted Uncle Sandy, impatiently. .Thi'
is my niece-my puir brothers daughter
Miss Craig"
ooh, indeedl forgive the mistake"
He paused, and for q few short second.
seemed less self-possessed than Mona could
have imagined possible.
" suppose" he resumed, in hts natura
tone and manner, "you nre spending thu
autumn in this beautiful spot. Really
Mr.. Craig, you have n superb yiew-tht
finest l have yetseen since came up here, y
and he advanced to tho window, his eyes
CHANGING quickly from the view he praised
to Mona's face. which he scanncl with /,
curious, questioning glance.
"It's wcel enough" said Uncle Sandy
5 swelling with pride in his possessions, ''ant
Pm glad You are pleased with it; and MOO
what's yer wull:"
"Oh-ah-I brought you a letter from
Mr.. Macfarlane's agent. You will Sc,
what he says about your rights of fishing
q how far they extend. 1t seem.
Gregor has let his fishing to Lord Finis
Ii, and l am now on my way to Strath
lie to see what we can do in the way O
utual accommodation. Have you seel
Lady Ffnistoun yeti You used 10 be great
chums. I remember, " addressing Mona.
II did not know she had arrived"
"They came last Saturday." said Ldsle,
handing the letter he had spoken Of to Mr..
Craig, who put or his glasses and proceed
ed to read it with great elaboration.
Does she know you nre in this part of
the worlds" continued Lisle, letting his
eyes rest on Mona, with the peculiar lin
gering gaze that used to disturb her-even
now it cost her an effort to meet them with
q smiling, unembarrassed look, but she
succeeded, as she answered.
mo; l rarely hold any communication
with her; when we meet, she Ia as nice and
sweet as ever"
Perennial charm and sweetness seem
to be the peculiarly Of Your race!' he re
turned, with n caressing smile.
Mona slightly raised her eyebrows, and
Observed
BERTHE Is not exactly fascinating"
"Bertle. no, Of course
.'l'm thinking there is II contradiction
somewhere" interrupted Mr.. Craig, look
ing up from the letter he had been read
ing. 81 will just look for the lettcrtI had
frae Balmuir himself. l have it some
where" and taking his stick he walked
away into his library.
what al extraordinary, delightful sur
prise to find you here!" exclaimed Lisle
rising and coming over to the window
where Mona sat, and leaning his shoulder
against the frame. II never was mort
amazed than when my eyes fell upon you
Is this old-gentlcman really your uncley
Really and truly my fathers elder
brother. You see, I have reverted to my
natural grade"
~ feel all at sea-" sud Lisle, slowly, hit
eyes still dwelling on her. "Do you know
l watched the papers for the announcement
of your marriage for months, then l wrot.
to BERTHE Everard, and heard from hin
that you had thrown over the poor devil
Ind been envying, and disappeared in tn.
deepest disgrace with everyone"
How very good Of you to take SO much
interest In a person you were not likely t.
| ~ ps3oAls oull 1ohu, 1OOAt1AA w III Ia
face with q half smile.
II always hoped to see you again."
Really" archly.
"You knew l did!' returned Lisle, quick
~.
II knew nothing about you, except tin
sou were IN amusing partner, and waltZet
remarkably well-almost as well as yor
thought you did"
r. /, r. !, EE.-H. EM-4.E. r.
Lislc did not answer Immediately: h,
pulled his mnstache. and looked thought
fully out Of the window.
"And did you discover your uncle sool
after you left the Chase"
Not for a considerable time"
And how did you manage,-I am dyin,
to hear your history. You will tell m,
everything, won't your We were Away
sworn allies"
"Ohl l have no story to tell. I haye beef
extremely fortunate, and I have no CLAIM
on anyonc's compassion
A scornful smile curved her haught,
mouth.
No. ! suspect you would very quickl.
throw 1t back in the face OF any idiot VIII,
presumed to offer it! But I shall see 80,
again, l hear your interesting relative ap
preaching. I must see you again."
As he spoke. Mr.. Craig came in, the let
ter he had gone to seek for in his hand.
II am right" he said. exultingly, as h,
tumbled into a chair rather than sat down
"Balmuir himself writes to me on the 25tl
of June, 1883, that he believes my right
extend as far as the cairn of Kilnethan
and here"-striking the letter Lisle ha.
brought with irritation-.'his factor say
1 Gamma feesh below the gray stane dixie q
the lower pool. Just read for yourself"
Isle took both letters, and read then
with an or OF profound interest.
There is a distinct contradictions h,
said, when, he had finished. Suppose
take both up to -Balmuir, and talk th,
matter over with him, and let you know
the result. lido not wish to give you MOI,
trouble than l can help" he added, court
eously.
YOU'RE varra polite. 1t would save M
. good bit o. trouble. I'm a puir frai
body, as you. see; and moo, we'll be havinj
dinner in a quarter Of an hour, stay an,
tax q bite"
THANK you," said Isle, frankly an,
graciously. ~ shall be most happy" h,
eyes seeking Mona's with q Laughing
glance.
"Just rim GOT. dearie." said her uncle
esAnd tell Jamie tn mt the hOraA In TN