Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-08-14

to decide IL ! am 10 pass my whole life with
you or not. | must say what sounds I'M
kind, that | do not love you, that il this
great misfortune had not befallen Mrs.
Newburgh, I should probably have refused
you-so ! DO not deserve your love"
But cannot help giving tito you'll And
IL you do make up your mind to take me,
you might just let me forget that you were
driven to it."
Yes: arm very ungracious. There Is
another circumstance | ought to mentions;
you may not like to know that my name is
not Joscelyn. My grandmother always
called me by my second baptismal Nance; !
ain really Mona Craig. Ny father was of
very humble origin, | believe; and Mrs.
Newburgh never forgave my mother for
marrying him; but / dearly loved him as a
little child, though ! have forgotten what
he was like"
Il don't care what your name is, as long
% you viii take mine. / am no great
thing as regards family myself. | have
heard something Of Mrs. Newburgh's within
before
"Is it possiblep"
II don't fancy that anything is a secret"
said Waring. Perhaps it is not fair 10
press you for an answer to-day. But you
see time flies, and / long to be able to tell
Sir Robert Eyerard that ! have a right TO
discuss with him what is best to be done.
Don't you fancy that ! would hold back
because you refused me. Whether Won
say yes or no, | would ask nothing better
that to be of use to you; but not being a
relation, it would be awkward for
1t would be impossible" interrupted
Mona, in a low tone; then pressing her
clasped hands together tightly, she said
with some solemnity-"Since you believe 1
could make you happy"
You will be my wife9" interrupted War
ing eagerly in his turn.
IL will, Mr.. Waring, and try TO be o good
one" She grew very pale as she spoke.
You are n great deal too good for me:
and as you do not care for any other fell
low. perhaps you may end by caring for
me-
There was an awkward pause, then War
ing walked over TO the w~riting-table and
took up a paper-knife with which he played
n%ervously.
There are one or two things | should
like to tell you, II you do not mind'"
What can he be going to confess'"
thought Mona. She, however. only bent
her head in silence.
II have not been as steady "a | ought 10
be-" resumed Waring, looking down and
growing red. You see, my brother and
myself were brought up by an old bachelor
guardian. We had no women in the house
and that made US rather rough. Then /
have lost a good bit at cards and races.
I'm a little too fond of play, but-now that
you are so very good as to promise me
your hand, / have an object to live for, and
l will never touch a card again, and never
lay anything beyond a pony N a race, and,
Inc I'll try to be-not unworthy OF you |
will indeed! Now, nave | your permission
to go and tell Sir Robert Eyerardt He is a
good fellow, and we'll settle something
about Mrs. Newburgn. She ought to get
out of town away from a~nnoyances."
THANK you" returned Mona, touched
by his eagerness to serve her. Il am most
grateful to you, Mr.. Waring.'
Couldn't you manage to call ms Les
lie'" he said. entrea;ingly. If you knew
how long to hear my name from your
lips! and 70 call you Mona. It's not a hap
py enough name for you, but | love il all
the same. can't call You Mona, if sou
say Mr.. Waring."
'it seems 50 strange murmured Mona
well, never mind to-day; but may e
to Sir Robert"
you may" said Mona, with white lips
Thank you.'' cried Waring. his eye
lighting up, his whole face radiant, and 5,
far carried away with joy that he took anC
kissed her hand. letting it drop directly
~ suppose ! ought TO go away now" h
a-gI ~ 49, v -LA-1l NJ e .
IL Is almost impossible TO believe that yol
have really promised 10 marry ne. that
MAJ stay aud talk % you, and will 10
have 10 give up my place 70 anyonel Ths
fellow Isle always csne and turned u
out when we were al Harrowby Chase
but he isn't half bad Do you know. it "a
he that advised me TO try my chance wit
yous"
did Jon want advising So. Mcaa, =
an unsteady voice.
NO. not advising, only kearten'ng W
Tell me-would you like 10 travel on ia
Continent haven't been much abroas
myself OF course ! always 90 90 Paris 70
the Grand Prix, and 10 the Baden Races
but You"
Everything must depend on NY grand
mothers condition. interrupted Mona
And, Mr.. Waring-if you do not think j
very rude-I think / must 20 10 her now.
You are looking very white be SAID
tenderly. 50 | will leave you; but | hops
you are not unhappy, and il there is any
thing you would wish me TO do, you VII
say so,'
Poor Mona longe1 TO cry.
Il only wish you 10 20 away she said
pressing her hand TO her heart. II am
good deal shaken and upset; tomorrow
''Oh. YES. may come tomorrow! And
Mona Il may call you Mona, mayn't H.,
when YOU are talking To Mrs. Newbur2h
Just say 70 her from me that IL would IN
so much better ii we-if. that Is, If the
marriage was 10 take place s%oon-quits
sooni should be so much better able u
be of use. You'll not think me a bore fol-
insisting on this, but it would really be
better, putting my feelings quite out Of the
question"
II shall be guided by what you and Sii
Robert and grannie think best faltered
Mona. II am afraid | must go now"
"when may I come tomorrow" asked
Waring, lingering.
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