The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-08-14

| looked on you as Il to-day l an
to decide If l am to pass my whole life with
you or not. must say what sounds un-
kind, that I do not love you, that IL this
great misfortune had not befallen Mrs.
Newburgh, l should probably nave refused
you-so 1 do not deserve your love-
But cannot help giving it to you! And
If you do make up YOU mind to take me,
you might just let me forget that you wero
driven to it."
yes; I I'm 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 name; /
am really Mona Craig. My father was of
very humble origin, l 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"
~ don't care what your name is, as long
MS you will take mine. / am no great
thing as regards family myself. l have
heard something of Mrs. Newburgh's whim
before"
us it possibles"
~ don't fancy that anything is a secret"
said Warning. perhaps it is not fair to
press you for an answer to-day, But you
see time flies, and l long to be able to tell
Sir Robert Eyerard that ! nave a right 10
discuss with him what is best to be done.
Don't you fancy that l would hold back
because you refused me. Whether you
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"
lit would be impossible" interrupted
Mona, in a low tone; then pressing her
clasped hands together tightly, she said
with some solemnity-"Since you believe |
could make you happy
"You will be my wifes" interrupted War.
tug eagerly in his turn.
"I will, Mr., Waring, and try to be n good
one" She grew very pale as she spoke.
You are n great deal too good for me:
and as youdo not care for any other fell
low, perhaps you may end by caring for
me-
There was nm awkward pause, then War
ing walked over to the w%riting-table and
took up a paper-knife with which he played
nervously.
There are one or two things I should
like to tell you, if you dc not mindF"
"What can he be going to confessS"
thought Mona. She, however, only bent
ner neaQ IN silence.
II have not been as steady as | ought to
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.
Pm a little too fond of play, but-now that
you are so very good us to promise me
your hand. | have an object to live for, and
! will never touch a card again, and never
lay anything beyond Il pony IN Il race, and,
and I'll try to be-not unworthy of you. /
will indeed! Now, have | your permission
to go and tell Sir Robert Everaru? He is a
good fellow, and We'll settle something
about Mrs. Newburgh. She ought to get
out of town away from annoyances."
"Thank YOU returned Mona, touched
by his eagerness to serve her. II am most
grateful to you, Mr.. Warning"
Couldn't you manage to call me Les
lies" he said. entrea;ingiy. IF you knew
how long to hear my name from your
lips! and to call you Mona. It's not a hap
| Ply enough name for you, but | love it all
the same. | can't call you Mona, if you
say Mr.. Waring."
at seems so strange" murmured Mona.
"Well, never mind to-day; but | may 20
to Sir Robert?"
You may" said Mona, with white lips.
"Thank YOU" cried Warning, his eyes
lighting up, his whole face radiant, and SO
far carried away with joy that he look and
kissed her hand, letting it drop directly.
~ suppose l ought to go away now?' he
said, humbly, ''but ] should like to stay.
1t is almost impossible to believe that you
have really promised to marry me, that !
may stay and talk to you, and will not
have to give up my place to anyone. That
fellow Lisle always came and turned me
out when we We're at narrowly Chase;
but he isn't half bad. Do you know, it was
he that advised me to try my chance with
you?"
Ibid you want advising2" said Mona, in
an unsteady, voice.
mo, not advising, only hearten'ng up!
Tell me-would you like to travel on the
Continent? ! haven't been much abroad
myself. OF course | always go to Paris for
the Grand prix, and to the Baden Races
but your
Everything must depend on my grand
mothers condition." interrupted Mona.
"And, Mr.. W~aring--if you do not think ii
very rude-l think l must go to her now
You are looking very white,'' he said,
tenderly, 80 l will leave you; but | hope
you are not unhappy, and if there is any
thing you would wish me to do, you viii
say so!'
Poor Mona longed to cry.
81 only wish you to go away" she said,
pressing her hand to her heart. 81 am 9
good deal shaken and upset; tomorrow
ooh. yes! may come tomorrow! And
Mona Q may call you Mona. mayn't r.,
when you are talking to Mrs. Newburgh
just say to her from me that it would be
so much better if we-if, that is, If the
marriage was to take place s%oon-quite
soon! l should be so much better able to
be of use. You'll not think me a bore fol
insisting OF this? but it would really be
better, putting my feelings quite out of the
question:
81 shall be guided by what you and Sil
Robert and grannie think BEST fa!tcret
Mona. II am afraid l must go now
"When may | come Tomorrow asked
Warning, lingering.
ooh, at two or three!"
well, see you are tired. and you'll
think kindly of me? You know | woult
do anything for you, %nnything!'
vi, SeS, VIII! Anu lloW Rool oyc.
Warning caught her hand and looked
eagerly at her. For one dread momen,
her heart tainted within her. Was he go
ing to ask for a kiss2 III he had aspired tt
such n favor, he wisely postponed the de.
mand. and again pressing her long. slichr
fingers to his lips, he left the room.
Mona assembled the stairs very slowly
and deliberately, painfully conscious that
she had fully committed herself. 1t now
remained to complete the sacrifice by as.
Stunning q cheerful aspect before her grand,
mother. Then, when she had satisfied
her, she might escape to regulate her own
thoughts, to face the situation she had &C