The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-01-22
CHAPTER xxv.-A DISCOVERY.

w NdlbuSS no TX ulN VII lllS OCC{tSlOu. lLlS-
lie Warning was associated with perhaps
the only well-spring of romance that had
ever dubbed up for him in the somewhat
arid plan of his life.
10 him there were hut two really great
men in modern society, they were Meceacll.
ern & Leslie-the creators Of the house
with which he was SO proud to have been
connected. To have the grandson OF one
of these potentates under his roof, treating
him with kindly respect, and making him
self pleasantly at home, was a treat to I'm
Gle Sandy's loyal, If rather tough heart.
Warnings character and bearing too was
calculated to gain upon such n nature as
his hosts. Society of the higher order had
left its stamp upon his simple, unaffected
manners, and the ready courage with
which he turned from n life of mere pleas
ure to one of hard work, when he had still
enough left to idle on, delighted the sturdy
old imam of the people," Warning was, to
his idea. n sort of gloritied incarnation OF
middle-class merit, the result of plebeian
energy, which wen conquered and appro-
priated the graces of good-breeding.
This satisfaction was reflected on all
around him.
The monthly settlement of housekeeping
]accounts-a crucial test which even Mona
dreaded-was accomplished without a sim
gle growl. Poor Kenneth's arithmetical
errors were passed over with u slight ex.
preston of contempt, in the term blum
derin' gowk," and the contradictions Of
Robbie Sanders, the gardener, were over
looked.
10 Mona, this was an unaccountably de.
lightful break in the monotony of her ex.
istence. To be good friends with Warning,
to see that he was a better and a stronger
man than formerly, these were sources Of
purest pleasure.
Then he was sc very reasonable. He
worried her with no expressive looks or
words which insinuated lover-like feeling.
He liked her to read to him, or to write
for him; but he was nearly as well pleased
with the services of Miss Black. nearly
not quite and when Ill u laxative III ..J,
he used to describe the wild beauty OF !,
Californian home quite eloquently. lie
really had more in him than she Mt one
time could have believed. He had grown
quite good-looking too Mona was keenly
alive to her exterior advantages), and she
often thought, as he lay back on the sofa
cushions, what an honest strong face he
had, and how much the thoughtful sub
expression of sadness it had developed.
beauti6ed and ennobled it.
Then tho temporary weakness Of his
strong frame appealed to the tenderness Of
her most womanly heart; there was I'M
doubtedly a friendly sympathy between
them. Her voice never sounded so sweet,
SO expressive, rs when she read or suns to
him. But they were rarely alone togeth-
err. Mary Black was not behindhnnd in
delicate attentions, and, as Kenneth OBJ.
served, both young ladies We'd with each
other who should spoil the invalid most.
TO Mary, however, most Of his talk and
good-humored chaff was directed. He
praised her songs loudly. and said but little
about Mona's, except now and then an i'm.
ploring exclamation of do go on;' 'An-
other, please, another"
Uncle Sandy, however good-humored,
did not admit Of any neglect, and always
demanded an hour or more of Monn's time
after their early dinner, while she read to
him the better part of the famous Scots.
man, and some portion of the Times week.
ly edition, which reached them every Sat
urday. Sometimes Waring slept on the
drawing room sofa during this exercise
sometimes he came to lis,en, while Mary
and Kenneth Disappeared; but occasional.
ly the former took her work md sat with
the ill mOn." The murmurof theiI voices
while thus engaged, with occasional bursts
of merriment, came through the door OF
communication to Mona one afternoon, as
she toiled through a heavy leader on ''mu.
nicipal" government, and presently Mary
put in her head.
"Mr. Waring says it's so fine aud bright,
he would like a little turn, and l am going
with him" she said. "We will be down
the drive.n
"Dinna let him do too much!" cried Un.
Gle Sandy. eve will come along and meet
you"
Waring was 10Y permitted to take ex
ercise, and was rapidly recovering.
What shall ! read next?" asked Mona,
"Thcre is an article on the Soudan-"
Nav" said her uncle-one of his most
negative "news,' which always seemed to
Mona as il it could stop u torrent-and he
sat in thought for minute; then he reused
himself.
"rm thinking" he said, that Mr.. Les
lie is growing owcr-fond of Mary Black
They are aye at hayers wi ane anither
and I am no varra pleased. She's no match
for Leslie's grandson; and yet the lassit
is a guild lassie. | wadna see her yexed
He is n weel-spoken lad f~orbye-the sort Il
win ony woman's love. Eth. Mona?"
81 do not think Mary cares much about
him. uncle. Tastes differ widely, you
know. AS to her being nc match for him
you must remember that Mr.. Warning ha.
not much in the way of a home to offer
His"
"Hoott, toot" he interrupted. ut will
be Il fa.r home enough. Young Leslie i,
going to be n successful mon after a Bit"
II am sure ! hope so; but l do not thinl
you need trouble about Mary. As to MIR
Warning, | dare say he admires her-she il
very sweet and charming; butthcse fancie.
do not trouble men long"
SAY, the sort O. hcmpies Uo1'rc been usct
to. But, my lassie, n real thouchtfu' mon
if luve talks hold IN his heart, it grips il
hard and fast, and will ma let go. If youa,
Leslie has let himself 1--we our Mary, he'll
no leave her behind him. He dcesna com,
of the sort that gives in"
well, lido not think that Mary ia II
love with him."
Il hope you are right" said her uncle