Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-01-29
.NONA'S CHOICE.


II suppose Lis1e viii he up here again"
resumed Waring, rather abruptly.
Perhaps! DO not think 1t likely /
believe my uncle is already in treaty with
'omeone else for the shooting, sothere win
" nothing to come for"
Nothing TO come for!' repeated War
ng, as II TO himself; and Mona suddenly
:hought-"D0es he imagine that | am the
attraction to st. John Isle, and does his
'riendliness incline him to rejoice at the
prospect Of n good marriage for mel"
She rose, and went into the next room
20 find n book, for an excuse not to talk
my more. As she returned, she met War
ing, who had followed her.
Goodnight" he said. 81 am rather
tired. Miss Black is booked for chess, and
you are going to read, so ] had better go 10
bed"
"If you would like me to read % you"
oegan Mona, for there was something de-
spending in his tone.
mo, not exact too much" he inter
rnpted. 81 will leave you in peace"
You know you eIdct nothing"
"That is true, You all give freely.
Nevertheless, I will say goodnight"
II seemed strange to Mona that Uncle
Sandy-who, though on the whole ex.
sremely indifferent TO things which did not
affect himself, was, when bis attention was
aroused, a keen observer-did not notice
the complete understanding which existed
between Kenneth aud Mary, nor the very
lOyer-lke attentions which, as he grew
more at ease In his new home, the young
Highlander could not refrain from be.
slowing on the lady Of his heart. But, a.
many strong-willed persons do, Uncle
Sandy was very apt to make plans with
out taking into account the individual lik-
ings or dislikings OF the persons affected
by them.
She rather dreaded the moment when
the ruler OF C~raigdarroch would awake 10
the knowledge that the ''bit lad and las
sic" n he considered them, had taken
their lives into their own hands, irrespec-
tive OF his consent. IL he was angry and
unreasonable on the subject, it might be
terribly bad for both young creatures,
though his evident liking for Mary was =
great point In their favor. indeed, Mona
wished 10 turn her thoughts from the pain,
the dull aching which oppressed her. 70
pros m con Of her friends fortunes.
IL was a few days after the above record
ed conversation, Mona was la the library,
entering sundry items in an account-book,
which her uncle had great pride and pleas
nre in teaching her to keep In the most
orthodox fashion.
IL was a lovely day stolen from May Il
beautify the LAST hours Of March. The
blue sky, the glittering loch, the balmy ali
which stole like a caress round cheek and
throat, seemed to promise that gloomy
winter was AVA"
Kenneth had taken a holiday from the
spring operations OF field and byre, snd
proposed 10 take Waring and Mary for
drive through St~rathairlie and Balmuir
that the former might see some Of the I'm,
views in the neighborhood, as his time wa,
now growing short.
Mona volunteered TO remain with hel
uncle, and-with a degree Of
bleness, for which she scorned herself
felt hurt that Waring had made no at
tempt TO persuade her 10 come with them
Mr.. Craig had been pottering about tn.
garden, and Mona thought she had heard
the tap-tapping Of his stick in the hall Jus,
before the excursionists had driven of.
The sound OF the wheels had hardly diet
away, when Uncle Sandy came into tn,
room and threw himself into his arm
chair, upsetting the nre-irons with an uu
usual amount Of CHATTER.
"Gaid preserve u.s." vas his first excla
nation. They're Gar" clean daft Whn't