The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-10-09

as ight rs he does; and l like the young
n though ! don't like to see him come
between his uncle aad yourself" .
lido not fancy Kenneth has a debt or q
money difficulty in the world; but he does
seem to have something On his mind"
The following Sunday was fine and crisp.
though still, and Kenneth came immedi-
ately after the early dinner, and asked
Mona to take n walk with him, She read
lily complied, and they were O on their
way to their %favorits recreation ground,
kensington Gardens.
Kenneth was unusually silent. He nm.
swered Mona's remarks as briefly as posi-.
BILE, seeming embarrassed and preoccupied,
AT length, having skirted the round pond,
they slackened their pace as they got uu.
der the shelter Of the trees, and walked
down the wide glade toward the Serpen.
tine.
what is the matter, Kenneth," she
asked. II fancy you nave something on
your mind. think you might tell ME.
You know l take an interest in you, and
sympathize with you"
"Ah! that's just what my uncle says.
He wants me to marry you, and l cannot,
Mona. cannot, indeed! have pledged
my troth to another young lady. and could
not break my word"
Mona stopped shortin utter amazement,
and looked straight at her companion.
How very unkind OF your she exclaim.
ed. ~ did not think you would reject me"
"Eh? That's what my uncle says. He
believes you are very fond OF me, but I
cannot see it; and, oh! Mona, he swears he
will leave all his money away from both
of us If we don't marry; and l will never
call any woman wife but my sweet Mary
little Mary Bluck-the school-master's
daughter"
A kindly, amused smile slowly dimpled
rornd Monn's mouth.
Did you tell him SOP"
"Well, | daren't. you see. I have had
hopes that he (Uncle Sandy would help
me- mean us-for l think he meant me
to be his heir before he met you"
believe me, Kenneth, l will not inter
fcre with you. Now, I'll help you to the
best OF my ability; but tirst-please to pro
pose to me in due form"
You understand lam pledged to Mary
do not mention her ut present."
well, then; will you marry me Mona,'
mo, Kenneth. l feel honored by your
offer, but I decidedlydecline. There, now,
the blame Of di .bedicnce rests with me.
You can tell Uncle Sandy that I refused
YOU"
You are a clever dell, Mona, and kind;
but this is not varra honest"
No, 1t is not; but my uncle ought not to
be SO foolish us to turn matchmaker
Now he will attack me, and l can take
care of myself. You can keep quiet, and
Inv orS1 nv -yyh@r 7 L-,os ts..f, .R--z
you-thcn propose to marry your ain true
love- and my uncle will yield. 1 teel with
and for you, and l will do my best to heir
you. We will manage Uncle Sandy. Now,
for the rest OF our walk, you shall tell me
oil about Mary from the very first"
"Then must begin at the beginning OF
my life, for Mary is just bound up with it. "
Go on" said Mona, looking up In his
face, with a sunny smile, and Kenneth
went on" considerably. He felt a new
creature when he was thus enabled to un.
bosom himself. Thoughts uttered seemed
no much stronger than they do while lurk'
ing in the shadowy recesses of the heart.
BY the time they reached Westbourne
Villas, he had talked himself into a con
viction that his wedding was not so far of
after all. But at the garden gate, terrible
1CNAiCy etoSpSd hill uliu lOOhel HltIl Ill lIlS
face. Within those walls Uncle Sandy
awaited him.
H will be awful angry, Mona," wills
pered Kenneth. pausing before he rang thu
bell.
II dare say he will"-Qt was not neces.
sary to name the object of their dread)-
but yon must throw all the blame on me-
remember, Kenneth, it is quite true. II
f1nrn xx,uo M Nav, u, tl,> oa,a .a,Ij ..I
marry you"
There will be somebody else them" h.
said, with innocent conceit.
Never mind about that, Kenneth
Think % II you like; but do not be too pos.
five with Uncle Sandy. If lie chooses to
hope n little, let him"
When they went in, Mona retired to take
off her cloak and hat, and Kenneth. with
slow, reluctant steps, went up to face I'm
Gle Sandy.
ooh, Deb!" cried Mona, throwing her
self into a chair beside that good lady
who, on the door being opened, hastily hit
the stocking she had been darning under
the table. "Oh, Deb, support me! I hav,
been cruelty and heartlessly rejected BY
Kennel Mncalistcr."
why! Grand DleM What do 70,
IucAuF hSkcu N4Iue. 1JeDElSuys impatient
IL. while she hunted vigorously for he
needle. sab! here 1t Isl Now don't tall
riddles and conundrums."
Whereupon Mona repeated the substance
Of her conversation with Kenneth.
"Why, what has come to that cantank
erous cripple, your uncle, that he shoult
think Of such n marriage for you! Tim
long-legged Highlander isn't At to wip,
your shoes-a creature that has only ex
changed his native wilds for O den O
thieves in the city. Why he Isn't fit to 81
in the same room with you. You know
have always stood up for your uncle, eve,
when there was no denying he is a nay
gur''-Crish for mean miser)-"ButI wasl
my hands OF him now"
"Yon are too indignant" began Mona
but madame did not heed her.
CHAPTER x1I1.-DIPLoMACY.
Kenneth Macalister lost no time in Civ.
ing Mona the result OF his dreaded inter.
view with Uncle Sandy.
He was not, Kenneth said, so vexed al
might have been expected. He told his
nephew not to be ~down-hcarted; that his
offer was. perhaps, unexpected like, and
he could % suppose a lassie-a very su'
perior young ~lady-would jump at the first