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

Mona found herself face 90 face Nth Les
lie WdrinG."
or this welcome breathing space Ken
meth took advantage to pay a flying visit
to his Mary-leaving carly one morning,
and returning late the following night-an
interval Of utter loneliness which was most
depressing to Mona.
Saturday broke brightly, full of promise
FOR a fine day. Already a breath of spring
came with the sea breeze to cheer and i'll
vigorate.
Before Kenneth and Mona had risen
from the breakfast-table, where they had
sat longer than usual talking of Mary, aud
discussing how and when the subject Of
kenneth's marriage with her could best
be preached to Uncle Sandy, a telegram
was put into Mona's hands from that 20.
tentatc-"Wnl bring a gentleman with me.
Best bedroom
"Who can IL bct" said Kenneth.
"The lawyer, most likely" returned
Mona.
lido think he would give Mr.. Cochran
the best bedroom"
"If the coming man is to have the best
room, he must have agood supper. shall
see Picnic at once. Theidea Of a stranger
guest is positively exciting! There are
some grouse in the larder; If you would
take the nets, Kenneth, and get some fish,
! think l could manage a respectable din
her--yes, dinner ii shall be. Oh, Kennethrr
with n sudden look OF dismay, suppose is
Is Sir st. John Lislei"
"And what for should il not be LisleS
He is a fiery nice man, ani thinks fety
much Of you, Mona. daur say it will be
Isle"
II hope not. He is frightfully particb-
lar, and rather an epicure. But IL cannbt
De! What would bring him up here Mt this
season."
May be TO see you, Cousin Mona"
He would not take that trouble" she
said, more TO herself than TO her compab-
on, as she left the room to hold high couh-
I'll with the cook-to see to the rubbing I'M
If what silver her uncle possessed--to in.
erview the gardener-to set Jessie to prb.
pare the best room, and keep up n good fire
therein.
1t was reviving to have something to do
something to anticipate. Even il tile
nameless visitor proved To be Lisle, Nc
would be welcome after such an unbrokdn
spell Of monctony.
The rest Of the day was busily employed
till the shades of evening began to %close-
then having seen the table set and duly
decorated with flowers; the claret placed
in the temperature where it was to be
drunk; the drawing room made pretty,
and good fires everywhere, Mona retired
t. dress.
"If it is Captain Lisle ! need not look q
my uncle will be pleased to see me ut my
best"
She we'll knew Uncle Sandy's pride in
his belongings, a pride which caused some
painful struggles in his soul between the
love Of a good appearance and the love Of
pelf.
So she put up her rich golden hair in be-
coming coils and short wavy braids, ar
rayed herself in u polonaise of soft creamy
muslin over her black satin skirt, and tied
an old-fashicned enamel locket with black
velvet round the snowy throat which her
open corsage permitted TO be seen. This,
and a large spray of red geranium and fern
on one side Of her bodice, were her only
ornaments.
She was quite ready, and not dissatisfied
with herself, some time before the hour at
which the travellers were expected, so she
rat down TO the piano and played dreamily
to Kenneth, who had also got himself up
with care.
They are late, are they not," said Mona,
and rs she spoke the SOUND of approaching
wheels made itself heard.
NO." he returned; "the train must have
been punctual-here they GOMEZ"
Now the mystery will be solved" orig,
Mona, rising and following Kenneth into
the hall, where at the open door stood
wallace, ! a fine, black colly, barking al
uproarious welcome.
UNCLE Sandy descended in u very dislo
Gated fashion from the phaeton, with Ken
n~eth's'help, and advanced to meet Mona
who kissed him kindly.
"l'm awful weary!'' he said: 81 hope tn,
denner is ready?"
Yes, quite ready. uncle" she returned,
darting a curious look beyond him at q
gentleman who was in the act of crossing
the threshold-a man not much above mid.
die height, wrapped in a loose ulster, the
high collar of which almost meeting the
traveling-cap pulled over his eyes, effectu.
ally concealed his face. He came forward
under the lamp, and turning to him, MI.
Craig said with unusual warmth
I'm varra glad to see your mothers son
under my roof. This is my niece-I was
near saying my daughter-Miss Craig"
The stranger threw back his coat and
took off his cap. AS ne bowed, the strong
light fell upon him, and Mona found her.
self face to face with Leslie Waring, great.
ly changed and looking year older, but
still Enthusiastically Leslie Warning.
For a moment or two Mona felt blind
and dizzy, so great, so sudden was her sur.
prise. Then she recovered herself all the
more rapidly, because he seemed perfectly
unmoved-while she could only exclaim
in an agitated voice-"Mr. Waring!"
He said quietly-"This is a most unex.
pected pleasure" and took the hand she
extended mechanically.
"Eh, monr' cried Uncle Sandy, do We
ken Mona' How's this' Ye never told
me.'
II had no idea Miss Joscelyn was in any
way related to your said Warning, with q
smile.
"Miss Joscelyn' There's no Miss Josce-
iyn here. This is my niece, Mona Craigl''
81 remember now,'' said Waring, quick
ly; 81 beg your pardon. HAD the pleasure
Of knowing Miss Craig some years ago, In
London"
ut is varra remarkable; but there's time
enough to talk about it a. Go, TAX OF yer
foat. Kenneth, show Mr.. Warlns hia