Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-01-01
'M0NA'S CHOICE.
BY Mrs.

IL Nv MNuiiltl NIN HOl ptI VI kOluk O&bt
a walk to the farm-yard or round the gar
den II it did: tea and the newspapers; more
work or music on Mona's part, moro sleep
on Mr.. Craig's; a little talk with Kenneth,
then supper and bed. Day after day alike.
Mona did not think she could live through
another winter.
At last the post brought excitement.
surprise--an entirely new set OF ideas--in
a letter from Nine. Debrisay.
My DEAREST MoNA:-I suppose you think
me one of the most worthless and migrate.
full women in the world! Well, just wait,
n 20 will excuse me. My dear, imagine
me writing behind a big fan to hide my
"3lushes! About n week ago / had come in
very tired from one OF my first attempts to
do my usual days work, and was refresh
ing myself with a cup of tea. when in
walked my general. ! sent for another
cup, and we sa; down coZily together.
"'You are looking very ill., he said, so
staccato that he made me jump.
81 dare say | am said ]. 1T is f~atiguing
at first. In another week I shall be all the
better for my work. 1t would do me small
good TO sit here alone
That's true he returned, as IL he felt
the truth I'm the bottom of his heart; that's
just what | think, and we each drained a
goblet-no, l mean a mp so deep was our
convictions! Still said lie, rs If out Of his
thoughts, L don't like to see you killing
YOURSELF
"'Indeed I do not want to do anything
Of the kind; life is still worth living for me-
THAT'S because you have good heart?
he cried. fortissimo.
Don't %flatter,' said +.
"'l do not--I never did, SAID he. Now,
/ am rather lonely-so are you; suppose
you come abroad with me and take care OF
me? It's not much Of an offer TO a hand
some woman still In her prime said he,
very ,civilly. -.
the world sayt'
"'We'll gag the world, my dear Madame
Debrisay, IL you have TIC objection TO go
through q little ceremony
Good gracious, generalN ! cried, do
You want to marry mep'
al do said he, very stoutly. Il haven't
much to offer you, but l CT leave You
enough for independence. We have both
borne the burden of the day, so let us spend
n peaceful evening together. l am a grutf
sort Of fellow, but not bad at heart: and
III not growl more than / can help. Just
turn il over in your mind, and ! will come
tomorrow for an answer. IL you say yes,
we might get things arranged, and start ia
ten days or so for Nice"
We'll, dear, | have said Yes and I
think | have done well. We are to be mar
ried at the registry office, rs neither OF us
are at the romantic age when we might
want TO make a religious festival OF il.
Herr and Frau Nachtigall are to bs my
witnesses, n an ancient veteran, a n old
comrade of General Fielden's, is TO be his.
| think the dear old fellow Is quite fond of
me. He brings me presents every day; one
time II pair Of gloves lined with fur; then q
watch lit belonged to his wife, ] imagine,
but it is good and pretty. then a warm
cloak. He is strong in wraps, and is quito
cheerful about being married. Well, Mona,
I'M - 49,, .y.H.. 1AaA - wAAl Lt., $3.50
and comfortable. He is a good soul and q
real gentleman. He sends his love to you,
and says he is quite ready and willing to
adopt you at any time; so, dear, you
have not lost me-you have kept me and
gained another and a much more potent
friend. Write aud tell me what you think
OF MI this. | shall long to see you, and
we come back to Paris In the spring.
Always your loving friend,
&c. D~EBRISAY."
Mona read this important communica-
ton with sincerest pleasure. II will go
and write "A letter Of congratulation, and !
will send her poor g%rannie's cat's-eye and
diamond bracelet for a wedding present;
it is the prettiest thing I have. l wonder
will my uncle think Of giving her any
thing!" Here that gentleman's stick was
heard t~ap-tapping rs he approached after
an expedition to the poultry-yard with
Kenneth.
ooh, Uncle Sandy!' she cried, as he
came in and threw himself into his partic-
ular chair, II have just had n letter from
Madame Debrisay. She is going to be
married.
Married! Aweel, there's nae fule like
an old fdlel III be bound she's goin' to
tax some I'D that might be her son!" he
exclaimed, with severe contempt.
You are wrong, uncle; she is going to
marry General Fielden-who must be ff-
teen or twenty years older than she is-a
nice old gentleman, who wants someone
to a k care OF him and make his last days
comfortable; so they think 1t wiser and
more respectable to be married"
That sounds mair reasonable. Has the
general ony siller? These soldier men scat
ter mair than they gather. It's just a mis-
fortin' to the country to have the like o.
them to support"
"He is not rich," returned Mona, leaving
her uncle's abstract observation unanswer-
ed, "but fairly well off-at least for all
they will want. ! am very, very glad Of
this news; for though dear Madame Deb
risay has worked so hard, | do not think
she has laid by anything, and the time will
come when she can work no more"
That's true, Mona; but it's no every
young lassie would think OF, an it mak's
me think o. yourself. III not forget you,
my dearie; and I'll no put it off ony mair.
I'll go doom to Glasga', the week after
next, and see Mr.. Cochran-that's my
man o. business-about putin a codicil 10
my will. Ye see, | hoped and hoped you
and Kenneth would max it DOT together.
] wished We bath to profit by my bits o.
pr~operty-but that's a. over"
Dear uncle, you must think of Kenneth
first; then, IL you like to remember me, I
shall be very grateful"
"rn not forget ye! But you mauna an
ger me; we do sometimes. You are a Draw
lassie-that / am not denyin'-but we think
too much o. yourser-you think nae mon
good enough for we. There's yon baronet
Sir st. John Lisle he'd ask you to-mor-
row IL you'd let him! lam auld and cauld,
but In no sac dottled that | Gamma read
what's in q mons een-and he's q gram
gentleman. I'd like the folk to see Sandy
Craig's niece her leddyship.'"
But. uncle, l thought you dcspised and
d~isapproved of ~titles!"
'Eh, they are just senseless toys, but I
Gamma pit them DOT O. the world, and / like
the best o. a. things to come to me and
mine! Then a fine rich man wouldna care
for a tocher wi his wife, and so I'd haze
mair for Kenneth-wha must marry some
guide, respectable, well-to-do lassie, wha
will need siller WI her mon."
"Ah, well, uncle, it will be time enough
to talk about refusing Sir st. John Lisle
when he asks me! Now / am going to
write to madame-what shall I say for
your"
"Eh, my best respects, In l hope a bless
ing will LIGHT on her new undertaking.
But I see the boy coming wi the bag; he'll
haze the Scntemnn san We mnat rand q hitfia