The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-01-29
.Neh, tho foil!es o ehildren dinna rock.

on.a
Don't outhInk II Miss Leslie had loved
you, uncle. you would have chung to her
though father and mither and a. should
20 mad?'n
"Ah, my lassie, but thot was a. different.
She was n gram young leddie, VII five fig
ures to her tochcr; an, Mona, my dear, a
mon thinks n deal O. the girl that's just
abu,e his reach"
Perhaps so, uncle; but the true man
thinks the girl within his reach Just as
sacred and precious, If she is dearto him"
A quick sob rose in Mona's throat rs she
spoke, and Uncle Sandy, in his quickened
condition of mind, Observed
Whats wrang VII yea" he asked.
YOU'RE nc fond o. the laddie YOURSELF"
only in a sistcrly way. I assure ". I
am deeply interested in his welfare"
Sac amt; but Gamma see it's for his
welfar' to we'd wi a penniless BARN"
IA BARN that would look on you as a
father, and be n daughter to you, Uncle
Sandy"
"Naw, It's no use telling mo sic q like
tale. Idoot that onybody wad be as guild
to me as you are, Mona; and want Ken
meth to get n fortin' WI his wife, that !
may gle you n better tocher, my denrie.
You'll wed q gram gentleman some day,
and you must b. wcel tochered."
"UncleI" cried Mona. earnestly; lyon
must not think of that! My possible mar.
riage is long way Off, aud will go AVA
and leave YOU if you let me come between
my cousin and happiness
If you must so, You must" said Uncle
Sandy, sternly, though his voice was TN
unsteady. 81 did without you before, and
l can again"
T''That is for you to consider. Now, I'M
Gle, make me a promise"
"What is it:'' he asked, cautiously.
while Mr.. Warning stays, make no dis
turbance. He has been 50 comfortable
here. let him take away his good impress
sion u~nimpaired. II you speak to Kennetf
and show displeasure, Mary will go away
and her people will forbid her to speak tc
Kenneth: our pleasant life will be broker
up; | shall be too distressed to remain; ]
shall accept General and Mrs. Fielden's
often repeated invitation to go and sta!
with them in Paris, and you will bully pool
Kenncth till he does not know Il mangle
wurzel from u kale."
You are just n trife too clever. missie!'
said Uncle Sandy, irritated, but not con.
Gucrcl. II dinna understand why you AZ
SO strong on they fules' side. However
I'll max no disturbance while Mr.. Lasli,
IS i'll my hoose. But promisc-for promise
you must-gie me your wola not to lie,
them know | am acquaint wi their foolish
ness"
Mona was silent for a moment or two
while she thought that it would do no good
to put the offending pair on their guard.
Very well, she said" 81 promise. But
you must not be cross; you must be nice
and kind, rs you have been"
"I'm muckle oblceged to you for the
compliment" dryly.
And, uncle, don't think I want to leave
you. ] am grateful to you, and | like you
am interested in You, for you are full oil
character; but il you are unjust to Ken
meth OH my account, or if you doubt me
and try to worry me into marrying anyone
l do not like, shall just so away, be
cause" -
Because WHAT" asked Mr.. Craig, some
what struck by her tone.
because | do not care a straw what be
comes of me!'
She turned and left the room abruptly.
Mr.. Craig looked after her, immensely
puzzled.
whats come to the l~assie?' he said
She's nae like herself. She is Just deeI
in luvc wi Kenneth. always thocht it
and | am seldom wrang. III keep celn
sough, an may be things may coma right
That Mary is n bonnie grille, douce an
handy-but, ma, ma! there are few car
come up to my min niece!'
CHAPTER XXvI.-AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
This premature discovery was very EN-
barrassing to Mona. Her conviction tina,
it would make matters worse if Mary o.
Kenneth knew that Uncle Sandy's eye.
had been opened, gave her courage, how
ever, to keep 1t n secret from the partie:
most interested. 1t would be a great sair
II he grew accustomed to the idea of the
engagement before he was able to fly on,
AMI pledge himself to opposition, for to al
'i,s;iiinic, i,ca,istrung nature like his, re-
traction was almost impossible. He had
an immense contempt for men who threat
encd and did not execute.
But Mona felt infinitely depressed, and
singularly lonely. II she could but see the
question Of kenneth's engagement set at
rest, she would certainly take leave of nib
sence and pay her dear Deb n visit. MOI
that she could ever tell even that deal
friend the secret of her inner sorrow; but
the sound of her kind voicc-the change
would bring relief.
Uncle Sandy was i'll a very queer temper
after this discussion. He was querulous
and complaining, yet occasionally obsequi
Gus to bis niece, on whom he had growr
very dependent, and of whose independ.
ence he stood in awe.
Warning felt that something had gone
wrong, and watched Mona's expressive
fact with profound sympathy.
Let me come with you,' he said, on
afternoon, when she had complained of {
headache, and begged Mary to read to Mr.
Craig, while she went to try the fresh Mi
cure.
Very we'll" she returned. II will show
you my favorite haunt
They proceeded through the grounds in
to the group of oak trees beyond. On tn,
Auk@