Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-02-05
M0NA'S CHOICE.
BY Mrs.

"And-and how do you like the idea OF
going back TO the woodsi" this in a low
tone.
Like il. There is no use In thinking
about liking what must be. have cu'
myself adrfft from every other KIND oil lie
80 I must and will make II answer; but II
its an awful wrench TO go. j can't deny
that! Still" He broke of, and meeting
her eyes, exclaimed-"If you look so sorry
for me, / shall make a fool OF myself.
That b. flushing alphabetically as he
saw her color rise, 81 shall whine and be
moan my hard fate, in e fashion that viii
not increase any CLEANS OF respect you may
have for me-"
.'Is she afraid | am forgetting the bitter
lesson she once gave me'" thought he.
"Does he imagine I am fishing for an
ayowal Of the affection which has died
QUIT" thought she.
~ assure you | do not suspect you OF any
such weakness. dare say you will FIND
your new home and life pleasant enough
"Oh, very likely Indeed, given certain
conditions, | can imagine enjoying life OF
the ranch very much-though we ARE
twenty-five miles from the nearest city,
az it is c~alled-and il is merely a big vii
lage, minus the rusticity Of a village, an6
plus the gas, the gliding, the looking
glasses, the gambling, the cheating, the
orgies OF a big modern town"
What an awful place" said Mona.
"You must be glad TO have twenty-five
miles between your home and it!"
Between my place OF abode and It," he
returned. We'll, yes! though there are
Inconvenience. Yet you would be sur
prised il you knew how many good fellows
* ndly, brave, g~enerous-are scattered
about among the general rowdy popula
ton, like nuggets I'm dirt. Are you go
ing
Eyes, you have sat here long enough.
The sun is beginning TO go down"
You forget that a broken arm does not
constitute an invalid. am as strong as a
horse now
Perhaps so. Then the country is very
fine about these dreadful 'cities,'"
superb, The redwoods on the edge OF
which | am located are the finest stretch
Of forests You can imagine. ] am afraid to
tell you the dimensions OF the trees-you
would think | was ~romaneing; then the
beauty and luxurianee OF the under growth,
such feed for hogs-not very interesting
stock, l acknowledge, but very profitable
while In the more open spaces, and where
il has been cleared, such a soil for wheat.
Then, Of course. we have a number Of en-
| plo~yes-hunters. herdsmen, keepers OF
various kinds, and some Cinnamon for
servants. The climate is perfection, the
sunsets and sunrisings marvelously love.
ly."
What a wonderful oountryl You ought
to be happy there"
"Tbere are one or two things wanting
still one canno have everything. You
see, my friend and partner Watson is a
queer fellow. sharp and clever in his way.
He got hold OF this ranch by a lucky chance.
An old hunter had got 1t for n song some
years ago. He did a good deal in clearing
and improving, till he come TO the end oil
his cash, and got sick OF being settled. Sc
Wells bought it as il stood cheap enough,
then he found he hadn't a penny left
Just about that time l wandered into Sar
Francisco and met him, so we entered into
partnership. hope to buy him out by anc
by"
II think" said Mona. "were | a man,
should rather like the life; but it must b.
lonely"
.'Oh. It would he tArrihia Tor a woman,
am afraid" said Waring, with a sigh. :"
must take out some solid reading with me
to provide for the winter evenings"
How long shall you be in London"
about a week"
at will be full, as IL is near Easter
Shall you not look up some OF your OLE
friends' The contrast would amuse YOU.
"No, / have lone with all that! Their,
are some relations OF my fathers on whom
] must call-but I really do not care TO SCI
anyone else"
This conversation had lasted while the!
made the tour of a stony, heathery piec,
of land outside the low, m~oss-grown wal
which inclosed the lawn and bit OF pleas
ure ground, and came out upon the roat
leading TO Kirktoun.
AS they paused to look at the sunset, an,
just as Waring had uttered the last words
a gentleman OF foot came round a turn o
the road. Warnings brow contracted; h,
glanced swiftly at his companion, aud ex
claimed
by Jove! II is LisIe!''
In another moment Lisle was lifting hi
hat and shaking hands with Mona.
"Waring!" he exclaimed, in a tone O
extreme surprise. "Wsring! by all that
astonishing. Where how what ha
brought you here?"
Chiefly railways and steamboats,"
my uncle knew some Of MI. Waring'
people. They met in Glasgow, and Nj
Waring came back with him."
II thought you were lost forever!' erie,
Lisle. in a tone which did not express
very lively pleasure at his turning up again
well here j am, you see, considerable
the better for a ~sojourn In the wilds."
so it seems. Why, you look years old
err'
Now, Sir st. John, pray account 70
yourself" said Mona. ''Your sudden az
pearance requires explanation, a. we'll a
Mr.. Warnings"
"Does itf" said Isle. flashing a quicl
glance into her eyes. well, Finistoul
was coming north for a little rest and fish
ing. so. as we both had had enough Of ga,
and festive scenes for the present, / cam
with him, and am staying In my old quar-
tiers at Kirktoun for a day or two. How
is a. WI YEP as your quaint old uncle woul,
say"
I'VE are all remarkably we'll. He vii
be o good deal surprised to see you"
more surprised than delighted, / sus
pect."
ut takes a great deal to delight Uncl
Sandy; but / think he was always placidly
pleased TO see YOU"
"And how goes the Highland cousin
Has he grown ~reconciled to his uncle
plans"
'Oh. no." cried Mona, laughing; "he /
more irreconcilable thar ever.'
Then I.isle asked for Nine. Debrisay, an,
described with cool sarcasm the surpris
and indignation Of Gen. Fielden's friend
at that warriors marriage.
Warning was very silent. Mona's Quicl
intelligence told her that each man wa
annoyed by the sight Of the other; Warine
of course. did not care to meet the MAJ
who had advised a step which led 10 pail
and modification; while the other-weil
she understood his irritation clearl,
enough.
TI,lo ;uau rfnd m mod daa3 ~ TncH~,