Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-12-04

N=H
IF / could but ascertain whether | hay
a rival or no." he thought, ii should know
what To DO. suspect she is playing
part. What is her object? To be Lad.
Isle? That would BE- obj5ct enough t,
most women; but, though | have lon:
| ceased To believe in angels, Mona Is some
thing different, or she never would have
chosen poverty in preference TO Waring
Well. I'll try what cool friendship viii
do, with a dash OF flirting in other direc
t.oas.'
There is the Lodge" he said, pointing
70 a long, low building, or collection o:
buildings, which lay in hollow beneath
them, the wild moorland round it, and
some huge gray rocks behind. The posi-
tiDn is not comparable to Craiclarroch.
and it must be cold and bleak enough in
winter. But suppose no T. stays here
81 winter"
IL fancy my uncle will said Mona.
'and | cannot say | like the prospect,
Bat" as the sound OF a rapidly approach
iug carriage made her turn, and she inter-
rupted herself to exclaim-"Here Is Lady
fIni.toun and her visitors"
- glad | have overtaken yod'' cried
Lady Finistoun, saluting with her whip.
IL wanted to bs at home TO receive you.
Let Us pass. Sr 81. John"
Lisle lrew n one sile, and whipping up
her ponies, Lady Finistoun dashed on Mt a
rapid pace.
At the door were assembled Miss Nor
ton. BERTHE Everard, and Herr Won OetzeII,
one OF the attaches TO the German Embas-
sy. The rest OF the party were still in the
f-.,gt all I @yI Esp,-.n,,, HoI ,,,.a laar
stalking.
Lady Finistoun had aliShted, and stood
on the steps 10 welcome Mona, which she
did very cordially, kissing her more than
once, and presenting her to Mrs. Mentieth
as her dear cousin"
So" said Everarl,~ advancing to shake
hands with her, you have been assigned
to Lisie's care. on rerieht t0lJoGrs, chr"
On, my mission is 10 take care of my
SELF returned Mona, smiling. II did not
know you had arrived"
Came last night. Had 7 known that
Uncle Sandy's lair was between this and
K.-ktonn, I should have paid YOU a visit
en- route. Well, Mona, and lave you re-
covered the Fitzallan episode, The poor
fellow has had a desperate affair since.
We have had to buy off the lady! How is
my uncle, Are You the acknowledged
heiress of Craigdarrocht"
Alas, moi There is a cousin in Tie way.
You must assist me to poison him"
with pleasure. We will arrange the
terms OF the desperate deed after dinner"
"Come, Mona, the dressing-bell will rirg
in a few minutes. You shall nave a cup OF
tea i'm your room"
The dinner was pleasant--even noisy, as
most of the inen were young and inclined
to discuss their adventures eagerly. Mona
was taken in by an honest-looSiag naval
captain. who made himself very agreeable;
and Lisle fell to the lot OF a frisky widow.
with whom he fiirted gayly. Everard and
Miss Morton quarrel.a audibiy.
The young heir was paraded, and his
health drank; and after dinner Lady Fin
istoun aud her sister-in-law went mp TO
look ut him In his cot. Then Mona was
reminded that she used TO sing, and was
sent to the piano, where she was surround.
ed by some of the gentlemen as soon as
they came in from dinner. The attdche
complimented her on her renderinga vol9-
SLED, md talked to her for a few moments
In German.
'-rhen Lislc. who had not been near her
since they had arrived, came close behind
her, and said, in n low tone
May l ask you for Tosti's Goodbye,
Summer 1t is the last song | heard you
sing.n
WAS itf" said Mona. Glow well she
remembered that last happy evening at
the ChaseD ~ am afraid l a hardly
manage II without the music, but l will
try"
She succeeded In singing It sweetly and
correctly, but she might have put more ex-
preston In II.
thank you." said Lisle, shortly.
II don't think you sing as well as you
did, You used to give that In q much
mors melting style formerly" cried Ever
ard.
Sorry I have deteriorsted." said Mona,
good~humorsdly, q she took up her gloves