The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-02-12
CHAPTER xxvIl.-''THE LAST STATE OF THAT
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II dinna ken what's CONF to ye," said
Unc!e Sandy, in very discontinued tones.
rs he pushed away his plate and held out
the tca-cup he had just emptied. to be re-
plenished. 'There anna be better or
purer air than at ~Craiglnrroch. It's aye
west or south; yet there's Mona VII a bad
headache, wantin' her breakfast in her
room, an' Mr.. Leslie lookin'-nae, but VIC
look better than We did yesterday" glanc-
ing at him, "only We dinna eat. What's e
bit haddie an a mouthfu' o. toast to stay a
mons stomach i the mornin'f"
"Oh! I am all the better for my ramble
with Kenneth yesterday"
You are well-nigh yourself again; but !
was feared ye'd be goin' too far when
heard ye hadna come back Mt tea-time.'
81 left Kenneth because he was going
further On. came back by Monkscleug'
and the lakewood. ! hope Miss Craig's
headache is not very severe"
She's more tired like than in pain. She
wants quiet. Aweel. she went TO bed air.
ly enough" quoth Uncle Sandy, ito setit.''
g. dare say she will come down soon.
Jessie says there is a new brood of chick.
ems out, Mr.. Craig" said Mary. lively,
wee brides. all strong and lively"
"Ay, that's varra good. Now, there's
anitner fast early train to Glasgow, well
dispose o good part O. the poultry VAR,
probably. I'd 20 down and look at thu
chuckics, if Mona We're here"
and wouldn't you take my arm. Mr.
Craig, for want of a better?" said Mary
blushing very sweetly.
"Yes, I Twill, my bairn!e." said the oil
man. looking at her indnlgeutly. Sand,
Craig had a great liking for n pretty face
Wen go and have a crack WI the hen
wife"
Later. Mona, thinking from the profound
stiffness that she had the house to herself
came from the seclusion of her own room
to the drawing-room. She had been great
ly agitated by her interview with Lisle
and greatly distressed, on reflection, t.
think she had trusted the secret of her low
for Warning to a man whom she could no
help considering III enemy. Yet she dit
not quite wish her words unsaid. Sht
wished to honor the man she preferred, il
the eyes of the rival who dcspised him; bu
she hoped and prayed that the knowledg,
of this admission might never reach War
ing. Perhnps-indeed probubly-hc hnt
formed some fresh attachment, which helt
his heart against her. after ALL" she
thought, as she stopped to look Mt hcrsei;
III a long glass at the end of the room, and
saw that the long straight folds and close
fitting bodice of her dark blue serge, will
the broad band aud buckle that showed
the easy roundness of her waist, the scarf
OF old lace round her throat. the soft wavy
masses of her reddish gold hair, became
her well-'after all, | an not worse look
ing than l used to be-: but that does NOT
batter"
With a sigh she opened the piano. anG
began to play dreanily. How fast the
days wore slipping away! Tomorrow
would be his last at C~raigdarroch, and
then goodbye forever.
rs the headache quite gomez said War
Ing, coming up behind her.
Mona started and changed color.
Yes. nearly gone. You startled mel
thought you were out"
She met his eyes as she spoke, and some
thing of indescribable tenderness in then
made her heart stand still. She rose anG
vent to the window.
ut is cold and raw to-day" she said.
with u slight SILVER.
Returning to the fire. she leaned agains1
the mantel-piece. Waring put his arm:
IN the top of a h~igii-backed chair opposite
her. and said. with a quick sigh
"The days cannot be too dark and dreary
u salt my spirit. I cannot gather courage
slough to think of Monday"
ut is coming very fast!" said Mona, soft
". and keeping her eyes fixed on the fire
but feeling that Warnings were fastened
On herself.
"Will you think me weak, selfish. worth
less, If cannot leave you without saying
how dearly l love you'll To think how neal
tcame to calling you my wife: and now W,
are but strangers to zach other. Dom
you see how bitterly hard 1t was. Oh! yor
were right to break with me, if you coult
not love me. It would have been miser,
10 US both if you could not have loved me