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

liz HUrfn1'
or this welcome breathing space Ken
meth took advantage 10 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 10 cheer and IN
vigorate.
Before Kenneth and Mona had risen
from the breakfast-table, where they had
sat longer than usual talking Of Mary. and
discussing how and when the subject "
kenneth's marriage with her could best
be preached to Uncle Sandy, a TELEGRAM,
was put into Mona's hands from that Pc.
tentate-"Wnl bring a gentleman with NE.
Best bedroom"
"Who ear II be- said Kenneth.
1.-THE lawyer, most likely" returned
Mona.
lido think he would give Mr.. Cochran
the best bedroom"
III the coming man is 70 have the best
room, he must have good supper. shall
see Picnic at once. Thcidea Of n stranger
guest is positively eXCitingl There are
some grouse in the larder; il you would
take the nets, Kenneth, and get some fish,
| think | could manage n respectable din
ner-yes, dinner it shall be. Oh, Kenneth.'
with a sudden look Of dismay, suppose ia
Is Sir St. John Lisle,"
"And what for should IL not be Isle,
He is a fiery nice man, ani thinks fiery
much Of you, Mona. ! daur say it will be
isle"
II hope not. He is frightfully partich-
Tar, and rather an epicure. But it cannot
De! What would bring him up here ut this
season."
May be to see you, Cousin Mona"
He would not take that trouble" she
said, more 10 herself than TO her cOmpah-
on, as she left the room TO hold high COUP
Ill with the cookie see TO the rubbing up
If what silver her uncle possessed-to ~
eryiew the gardener-to set Jessie to pre-
pare the best room, and keep up n goodff
therein.
1t was reviving to have something to do
something to anticipate. Even ii the
nameless visitor proved 10 be Isle, 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 closef
| then having seen the table set and duly
| decorated with flowers; the clarct placed
in the temperature where it was to be
drunk; the drawing-r0om made pretty.
and good fires everywhere, Mona retired
t. dress.
IF it is Captain Lisle / need not look q
fright" she thought; "if IL is a stranger.
my uncle will be pleased 20 see me at my
best"
She well knew Uncle Sandy's pride in
his belongings, a pride which caused somG
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 a 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 % at
which the travellers were expected, so she
sat down to the piano and played dreamily
TO Kenneth, who had also got himself up
with care.
They are late, are they mott" said Mona,
and rs she spoke the sound of approaching
wheels made itself heard.
NO" he returned; 1.-THE train must have
been punctual-here they Gomez
Now the mystery will be solved criS5
Mona, rising and following Kenneth into
the hall, where at the open door stood
| ssxValIaaa ~ n fine hlact oalI, hark{nu m
uproarious welcome.
Uncle Sandy descended in n very dislo
Gated fashion from the phaeton, with Ken
n~eth's'help, and advanced 10 meet Mona
who kissed him kindly.
I'm awful weary he said: IL hope the
denner Is ready"
Yes, quite ready. uncle" she returned,
darting a curious look beyond him at d
gentleman who was in the act of crossing
the thresholds 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. Mr..
Craig said with unusual warmth
I'm varra glad to see your mothers son
under my roof. This is my niece-I wa
near saying my daughter-Miss Craig"
The stranger threw back his coat and
took of 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 years older, but
still Enthusiastically Leslie Warning.
For q 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
uncomfortable she could only exclaim
In an agitated voice-'Mr. Waringr'
He said quietly-''This IL q most unex-
pectsd pleasure" and took the hand she
extended mechanically.
"Eh, monr' cried Uncle Sandy, do ye
ken Mona' How's thiss Ye never told
me-"
81 had no idea Miss Joscelyn was in any
way related to your said Waring, with .
smile.
Miss Joscelynl There's no Miss Josco-
lyn here. This ID my niece. Mona Craig,"
81 remember now" said Warning, quick
W ~ beg your pardon. IAAd the pleasure
Of knowing Miss Craig soma years ago. In
London"
1T IL varra remarkable; but there's time
enough to talk about II a. Go, TAX Oh yey
soat. Kenneth, show Mr.. Warning his