Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-11-20
M0NA'S CHOICE
By MRS ALEXANDER.

was awfH bad the day" hobDIcd Oh Win
the accompanying knock knock Of his sup
ports on the floor, TO worry the gardener.
The delight OF Kenneth when he heard
Of the success which had attained Mona's
sudden inspiration suggesting the invita-
ton to Mary Black, cannot be easily de
scribed. His dark eyes were agiow with
pleasure from the time he heard OF II. His
gratitude 10 his benefactress was unbound
ed. He was interchangeable In his efforts 70
ablige everyone. At length the happy day
arrived when he was 10 60 into klrktoui
TO meet the expected visitor, who was u
reach that station at half past one. Mons
had made all due preparation for the guest,
and sat down ~ read the Times 10 Uncle
Sandy IN the drawing-room. They had
not long been thus employed when the
sound Of wheels upon the gravel attracted
their attention.
at Gamma BE- Kenneth, yet said UneIf
Sandy, CHANGING ut the clock.
No, he has hardly reached kirktoun
yet" returned Mona.
There Is n gentleman who wants 10
speak wi ynu,' said tie little help, coming
into the room In the neat cap Mona insisted
on her wearing.
'Aweel. put him la the museum" re
piled her master.
'Eh, but he's just behind mc.' cried the
girl. stepping back, w~hereup0I q gentle
mar in shooting dress walked in, a distin-
guished looking man. with az imbrowned
face, rather light eyes, a;td thick mustache.
lyon will. 1 hope, exeas@--r ha was be.
! ginning in the clear, naughty voice Mona
remembered so well, when his eyes met
hers, and he stopped, growing suddenly
silent with surprise.
Moaa laid aside her paper. aud rising,
advanced quietly, saying. "a, she did >
"HIow do yoH do, Captain Li-le;'
Miss Joscelyn! THIS /, quite au uney-
pecied pleasure he exclaimed, taking The
hand she offered, and evidently more
moved than she was.
"Hoo's this' d. yon know sir ~. John
Lisle." cried Mr. Craig.
IL used 20 know Captain Llsic, returned
Mona, smiling, and locked steadily al him.
II had the pleasure Of meeting M.-s
Joscelyn in London some year, ago
There's no Mis-, Joscclyn here utter
rupted Uncle sandy, !mpatienlly. This
is my niece-my pu!r brothers d~augh'e.
Miss Craig
"Ob, indeed forgive tho mistake"
He paused. and FOR a few short seconds
seemed less self. possessed than Mona could
have imagined possible.
81 suppose, he resumed. in MS natural
o n and manner, you are spending 'ae
autumn IN this beautiful spot. Really.
Mr. Craig yon have "a superb view-tae
finest ! nave vet seen Siuccl came upEerr '
and he advanced - the window. his ewes
glaucing quickly from the view he pra. sod
20 Mona face, which he scs9uri with 4
curious, questioning glance
ITS veci enough. said l'uc,e SANDY.
swelling with pride in his possessions. 'au.i
Pm glad you are pleased with II and MOO.
what yer wul!'
"Oh-ah-I brought you % letter 'r,5a
Mr.. Mactarlane agent. Nou viii SO
what he says about your rights o. lsh.a.
Il how far they extend. II seems
Gregor has let his fishing 10 Lord Fins.
n, and | am now on Iny way 20 Strait,
lie 10 see what we can DO H. tho way Of
utual accommodation. Have yon seen
Lady Finistoun YET You used 10 be grelt
chnms, l remember, - addressing Mona.
II did not know she had arrived.
They came last saturday, said lA,,r,
handing the letter he had spoken of 10 Mr..
Craig, who pat oE bis glasses and proceed
Ell 70 read IL with great elaboration.
me ~s as y.,,y-. -
yes 81. o. Nh 10 !. s a. ss.a~ss
! now IL cost her an effort TO meet them wit
a smiling, unembarrassed look, but SD
succeeded. as she answered.
No.; ! rarely hold any communicate
nth bar. urbap MN rnaaf Che il ne nice an
sweet as ever"
Perennial charm and sweetness seen
to be the popularity OF your race" he re
turned, with n caressing smile.
Mona slightly raised her eyebrows, ant
Observed
BERTHE il not exactly fascinating"
Berthe, no., of course
''I'm thinking there is a contradiction
somewhere" interrupted Mr.. Craig, look
ing up from the letter he had been read
ing. 81 will just look for the letter ! hat
frae Balmuir himself. | have it some
where" aud taking his stick he walket
away into his library.
What an extraordinary, deli9htful sur
prise TO find you heren' exclaimed Isle
rising and coming over TO the window
where Mona sat. and leaning his shoulder
against the frame. II never was more
amazed than when my eyes fell upon you
Is this old-gentleman really your uncle,'
Really and truly my fathers elder
brother. You see, ] have reverted to my
natural grade"
II feel all at sea-" said Lisie, slowly, his
eyes still dwelling on her. DO you know
l watched the papers for the announcement
of your marriage for months, then l wrote
to BERTHE Everard, and heard from him
that you had thrown over the poor devil
had been envying, and disappeared in the
deepest disgrace with everyone
How very good Of you to take SO much
interest in a person yos were not likely &c
see again!'' said Mona, looking up in his
face with q half smile.
Il always hoped to see you again"
Really" archly,
"You knew ! did," returned Isle, quick.
ly.
II knew nCtEing about you, except that
you were an amusing partner, aud waltzed
remarkably ~well-almost as well as you
thought you did"
Lisle did not answer Immediately; he
pulled his mnstache, and looked thought
fully out Of the window.
"And did you discover your uncle soon
after you left the Chase:"
NC: for a considerable time"
And how did you manage.-I am dying
20 haa~ your nista-v Won viii I'll "he
everything, won't you; We were always
sworn allies"
"Oh! / have no story TO tell. ! have been
extremely fortunate, and | have no claim
on anyone's compassion
A scornful smile curved her naughty
month.
mo. / suspect you would very quickly
throw IL back In the face of any idiot who
presumed to offer il. But l shall see you
again. l hear your interesting relative APP
preaching. l must sec 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 he
tumbled into a chair rather than sat down.
''Balmuir himself writes to me on the 25th
OF June, 1888, that he believes my rights
extend as far as the cairn of Kilnethan;
and DEMONSTRATING the letter Isle had
brought with irr~itation-'his factor says
/ Gamma feesh below the gray stane dixie at
the lower pool. Just read for yourself"
~sl s~ "a .~.l 49,,