Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-11-13

found regret with which Mona bid her
goodbye.
my only idea Of home IS with you, dear
Deb. You shall have "A letter every week,
and you must write regularly, too"
So madame stood smiling 10 the last, till
the last glimmer Of the red light at the
end Of the train Lad vanished, and then
went home, 10 have II on unrestrainedly
with her sorrow.
CHAPTER XVIII AMONG .HEArHFR.
Craigdarroch was II beautiful secluded
spot on the side OF n hill-the advanced
post OF a mountain range, which upheayed
It's lofty crests further inland. 1t looked
west upon the luch tan inlet Of the seal,
which lay directly beneath IL, and south
toward the mountains, which tended to
the east. TIL wild stretch OF rocky heath.
er-grown upland, called S~trathairlie deer
forest, lay to the north, and Immediately
at the other side OF the Hill, barely three
miles distant. was the s~hooting-lodge Of
Lord Einistoun.
The house was old, gray, and rambling,
having been much adj leI 10: and, thanks
10 the shelter OF the hill, blasted the orna-
meut of surrounding woods, not only Of
t~ir-trees, but beech and numerous oaks.
II had been the residence Of the old lairds
Of Strathairlie. They had passed away
long ago, and their lands had been divided
among different purchasers. The Lord
Finistoun Of that day had bought the deer
forest, and built n lodge. \ Glasgow nan
ufacturer bought the house, the home, and
two or three other farms, which formed
the estate OF Craigaarroch, for n Summer
residence. lie failed, and it was again
brought t. the hammer, when Sandy
Craig became the possessor, for q suia de-
cidedly below its real value, He also
bought a good deaf OF the furniture, estab-
fishing himself with much Clee. But il
was somewhat late in life to change his
habits. Farming proved a costly amuse.
ment. The want Of steady, regular EN-
ployment made him irritable, aud a cheese
pairing spirit ~ regarded the consumption
Of coal, coupled with the dampness OF mid.
winter on the western coast. induced raeu-
matism SO Sandy Craig thought himself
in q very bad way, and betook himself TO
London for superior medical advice, with
the results we have seen,
The place seemed TO him after his lonz
absence at once more beautiful md more
intolerable han il used to be. lie lOngel
to show it to Mona. H longed 70 hear
her EXPLANATIONS Of delight az It's beauty.
and 10 display so distinguished looking a
creature rs his niece and adopted daughter
for pride WAS a very ruling passion in the
heart Of Sandy Craig.
Still, il cost him a severe mental struggle
10 yield so much 10 his strong desire for
Mona's company, as TO write the letter
above quoted. Once done, he was fever
ishly eager 20 reap the fruits Of his sur
| render, and reckoned the days till Mona
raade her appearance.
After a ~fatiguing journey, for the night
was warm, Mona found herself at Glas-
-ow in the gray OF the morning. Early as
was. Kenneth. "in the Ga-bo Of old Gaul."
aited her on the platform. He looked
martial and magnificent, that Mona did
\ ;s,:S. (: S S==s,S - -
tune when among the hills, aud that tn.
only difference he had made was 10 put oil
his best goto-meeting kilt and plaid in he
honor.
Not altogether in mn honor, Kenneth
she said, when having collected her lug
gage. they had time to exchange a few
words.
well may be not he returned, viii
a happy smile. Now. II we leave b. thu
o%ne-twenty train for kirktoun, well &c
10 Craigdarroch by six o'clock. Ny unc!'
agreed not 10 expect you before, 50 you cal
come away 10 Mrs. Robcrtson's, where yor
can rest and rave breakfast. She is a terl
old friend of Mrs. Black, and Mary is jus,
waiting 70 welcome you. She Is wearyine
10 know you, though she viii be halt
frightened at SO grand a young lady as you
are"
Grand! Why, Kenneth, you are chat
hng me!'
He only laughed, and, calling acab, they
drove away through dull streets. as yet
scarcely sstir, Ia the modest mansion Of a
Free Kirk minister, who was already in
his study, and came forth to welcome the
stranger lassie with kindly warmth: then
his wife appeared, as neat and well ap-
pointed in her cotton mornirg-dress as il
she had made an afternoon toilet; and
lastly; Mary, biushing. with downcast eyes
and "a sweet smile Pickering on her lips.
The first thing Mona noticed was the
golden-red tinge in her soft, abundant hair.
"If mine Is half as pretty, I am content"
she thought rs she offered her hand, and
said kindly
II am very pleased TO ineet you"
The words-the o n in which they were
said-made Mary look up, and then the
smile shone out in her honest. hight blue
eyes; these, and a red-lipped mouth rarely
quite closed over very white teeth. re-
deemed her face from ~plainness. Here ~
plexion. though clear and good, was much
freckled, and the cheek bones were some
what high; still Mary Black was undoubt-
eddy q bonnie lassie." and pleasant to
look at, as Kenneth evidently thought, as
his face bcamed wnen iris eyes fei, upon
her.
You'll be awful tired after so many
hours in the train; here, Mary, take Miss
Craig to the spare room. You'll may be
like.to wash your hands and brush YOU
hair a bit before you eat your breakfast
Thank you. feel / need ablution sore
ly."
II am so very pleased to see YOU" said
Mona, when she an1 Mary had entered the
sacred precincts of the spare room.
And so am | to meet you; Kenneth told
me what a good friend you have been 10
him; but you IRE not a bit like what l ex-
peeled to see."
what Is expected"
II will leave you now; ring when you
are ready. and I will show you the way TO
the breakfast-room."
AZ the table were gathered the misister's
younger BARNS; a big-boned lad Of four
teen; a slight, thoughtful boy Of nine or
ten-both silently intent on finishing their
morning meal, to be of in good time for
school-and a chubby girl Of six. evidently
the pet of the family.
The long, devout grace, the bowls of
porridge and cups OF milk, the voices, the
dialect, all seemed TO Mona like a chapter
out of a Scotch novel. yet 1t took her fancy.
The host appeared to be acquainted with
Mr.. Craig, and spoke of him with a touch
of dry humor here and there which showed
he was fully alive to the peculiarities OF
his character. Mr.. Robsrtson--a pleasant,
well-read man, quite abreast OF the mod
ern thought movement-seemed pleasedt to
converse with his young English guest.
As o as he had bestowed the final bless
Ing. the minister babe Mona farewell as he
was going OUT
Then Mary assisted Mrs Robertson to
clear away the breakfast things, and the