Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-08-07
CHAPTER III.-YES,

CHAPTER m.-YEs
Sleep partially restored Mrs. Newburgh;
but X morning her granddaughter OBJ
served hat she was restless and watchful
especially of herself. The doctor for
babe her leaving her bed, as the weather
was extremely cold, and q chill might be
fatal.
When Mrs. Newburgh's toilet de lit was
made, and her pillows properly arranged,
Mona took her work and sat down beside
her-feeling quite sure that her grand
mother was making up her mind TO speak.
This change in the somewhat abrupt dom
ineering old woman touched her-it was
such a confession of utter defeat.
you will be glad TO see Sir Robert,
grannie," she began. HE will give us
some good advice"
mot half so good rs Mr.. Oakley CAM
returned g%rannie, querulously. "He is a
mere country gentleman, and nothing can
save me from total ruin. What troubles
me is that letter of Mr.. Warnings. thought
to be answered. think ! could manage
to write, if you bring me the large blot
ting-book."
Eyes, of course, fought to be answered."
returned Mona, very gravely.
"But howi" asked Mrs. Newburgh. al
you refuse to see him, all is over. If you
consent, it implies acceptance"
Not quite, grannie. have been think
ing all night long what / ought to do
what I can do. 1t seems impossible to de-
eide. believe | could make up my mind
better if | had some conversation with Mr..
Warning. / am SO indifferent, that l do
not think his presence would even confuse
me-"
"Let him plead his own ~cause,' said
Mrs. Newburgh, stretching out her hand
for pen and paper. "He will induce you
to take a different view, ! am sure" With
difficulty she traced a few lines, ~excusing
their brevity on the score Of illness, and
asking him to call on the following day,
when Miss Joscelyn would receive him.
"You must address it, dear. He does not
know your hand"
ut is Of no consequence" said Mona, re-
moving the writing materials; and taking
out an envelope, she sat down to direct it.
ut is not natural, Mona, to be so cold
and indifferent. Yet l have not detected
any liking on your part for any other man,
except, indeed"
"No, nor interrupted Mona, quickly.
81 have no preference for anyone, rest as
sured. dear grannie."
"Then, Mona, you will love young War
ing when he is your husbands"
"Oh! yes, l dare say / shall. Now, gran.
ME, l am going to read you the paper, try
and listen-it may rest your brain a little. u
81 will, Mona, ] will, because you have
given me a little hope"
The rest OF the dull, drear November day
Mona moved slowly perhaps. but firmly,
rs If keenly alive to the work she had to
do. Late in the afternoon q card was
brought her. Captain st. John Isle,
-th H~ussars." She thought an instant,
penciled a line on 1t, $50 sorryl can not
leave Mrs. Newblrgh," and send it back
70 him.
Captain Isle was not tho only visitor TO
Green street that day. Late In the after
noon, Sir Robert Everard was announced.
II cannot see him. murmured Mrs.
Newburgh. "You must go, Mona-ex-
plain how incapable 1 feel"
Sir Robert was a thorough country gen
tleman. He seemed to bring an atmos-
phere Of the woods and fields with him in
to the chill, dull dining-room, which had
n deserted air. A middle-aged, middle
sized man, plump and rosy, with pepper
and-salt covered ~mutton-chop whiskers,
looking always as IL he had came fresh
from a bath. His shirt front was the
snowiest, his clothes the glossiests his
voice had a mellow ring In 1t, which atoned
for the loud, authoritative key in which be
usually spoke.