Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-10-02

Il uOn I Know, anu l dOnt much care,
about his originality, but ! do care that he
shouldn't come between you and your un-
cle's natural affection. My impression IL
that he is a selfish legacy hunter"
I'm short. he is what you wish me to be.
oh, Deb, Debr'
CHAPTER xL.-GLIMPsEs OF THE PAST.
After this first visit Kenneth Macalister
came frequcatly on Sundays, and some
times OF n weekday evening. He would
appear between eight and nine o'clock,
having walked straight from the city after
business-just to stretch his limbs, he said,
after sitting cramped AT a desk all day long.
Mr.. Craig, though by no means cordial
In his welcome, on the whole encouraged
him to come, and seemed pleased that
Mona lent him books from her scantv store,
or played TO him, which gave hin great
delight. Indeed she grew quite fond of
the queer, half-deyeloped, irritable, i'm
questionable young man, who found such
evident pleasure In her society.
The winter wore on. IL was severe: but
Mona going constantly out kept free from
cold. Kenneth had been gradually adopted
by her, and was her companion on many
n Sunday. Indeed, Mrs. Puddiford and
her servant considered him to be Mss
Craig's young man" From this COM
partnership Kenneth learned much Of man
ners and even modes of thought-learned,
too, with the rapidity Of an imaginative,
impressionable nature. He admired and
looked up to his cousin with profound con-
viction. His society amused Mona, and
helped TO make her feel younger and more
cheerful. Her own spirits were exceed
] s,,lx- variable ..ntfAa, TT-.lx -
cutting remarks and utter want OF tact
would raise his nephew's wrath, and he
would pour out his wounded feelings with
much volubility to his cousin, who geners
ally reasoned with, and Gained him.
"He thinks because he has n lot Of money,
and | have a right TO expect he will re-
member his sisters son, that he can tram
ple me under his feet; but I will nave him
10 know that the Macalisters were gentle
men when the Craigs were lowland peas
ants"
Come, Kenneth, don't insult the Craigs:
they are my people, and You must not be
rude"
You are quite different; yen are a queen
so you seem 10 me. but you don't insult
a fellow! I'll not come near Uncle Sandy
s.ss. .ss s;sssossar -ys=ws wTffioaS swsaYS'
And, Kenneth, | always want you to come
with NE"
"Oh, I'll come. cousin Mona! No fear;
you sha'n't want your walk for me; but
sandy Craig is no gentleman, though he
is my mothers Observation-Disclosures,
mean"
Kenneth continued to speak. but his
words conveyed no sense TO Mona, for her
eyes had been attracted by a well-known
figure.
This conversation had taken place as
the cousins were walking. They had come
through Kensington Gardens, past the Al
bert Memorial, and, reaching the road,
turned west, intending to return by Palace
Gardens. just in the narrowest part of
the High Street, at the opposite side, two
men stood talking-one short, stout, bowed
legged, and bull-necked, with amazingly
tight trousers. a gaudy neck-tie, and a
most horsey and repellant aspect. He had
his back toward Mona as she came up.
The gentleman with whom he was in deep
conversation, and who faced her, was
Warning.
Warning was looking dull and s%ullen; his
clothes carelessly put on, and an indescrib-
able air Of ~self-neglect pervading his APP
ptttl dnIC. Nlpna was 81 StoiliCu thot ShS
almost unconsciously put her hand through
Macalister's arm, drawing near to him;
and he, somewhat surprised, bent his eyes
upon her with a smile. Waring, who was
talking eagerly, angrily glanced toward
them at that moment. Their glances met,
Mona blushed wildly. Waring grew
white, hesitated, raised his hand to his
hat; but Mona had passed before he could
lift it.
"Wha: was the natter" asked Kenneth.
al thought ] saw a gentleman l used TO
know, and III was afraid he might come
and speak to me-"
"You should not be afraid of anyone
when l am with you, Cousin Mona! l
would not let anyone trouble you"
"But there are some things you might
not be able to help. However, it is no
matter. No, Kenneth-do not look back"
They talked IN Z friendly fashion iii
they reached the house, when the servant in
formed them that Mr.. Craig had been ask
ing for them, and the rest of the Sabbath
was devoted to him.
Mona's sudden start end slight confusion
soon passed from young Macalister's mind.
But the encounter with Warning dwelt
long in Mona's. She was greatly affected
by seeing him look so changed for the
worse. Ought she to bear the blame Of
this in any way' No! However grieved
she might be, she could not suppose that
the loss Of herself had wrought such mis-
chief. IL was only his natural downward
tendencies that were swaying him. And
there was so much OF good in his nature,
it was an infinite pity that he was thus
dragged down. What a horror the man
was to whom b, had been speaking! Poor
Waringl She would have liked TO nave
demonstrated with and saved him; but
even had she the nance of doing so, she
would have put herself in a false position
by showing the kindly interest she felt.
A few days after this little adventure,
and much about the time Mrs. Newburgh
had died the previous year. Uncle Sandy
was seized by a very sharp attack of bron-
chitis. For a few days he was even In
danger.
On this occasion Nine. Debrisay distin-
guished herself. She was q capital nurse,
and had had large experience.
Both were unceasing In their care; but
Nine. Debrisay was Obliged to absent her
self nearly all day. whereas Mona gave mp
her pupils hat she might watch over the
sufferer.
Mr.. Craig seemed deeply touched by the
thoughtful care OF his nurses-especially
by Mime. Debrisay's; and the sort Of mis-
trust with which he regarded her melted
away.
The short Christmas holidays. therefore,
were anything but a cheerful period to
the partners; and though Uncle Sandy
was as fractions ~ an invalid weil could
be. his occasional bursts OF grateful recog.
milton obliterated the irritation OF his test
mess.
To Mona. the knowledge that he wa 20
Inc to make Kenneth his heir brought >