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

"Oh, about this day week. | must &C
then. And my arm Is nearly as good as
new. BY the time | get to the end of my
journey, I shall be quite fit for work"
"And-and how do you like the idea OF
going back to the woodsi" this in a low
tone.
Like il! There is 10 use In thinking
about liking what must be. l nave cu'
myself adrfft from every other kind OF life
so I must and will make IL answer; but II
its an awful wrench to go. can't deny
that! Still" He broke off, and meeting
her eyes, exclaimed-"If you look so sorry
for me, / shall make a fool Of myself.
That ts," flushing sympathetically as he
saw her color rise, II shall whine and be-
moan my hard fate, in a fashion that will
not increase any CLEANS OF respect you may
have for me-"
as she afraid I am forgetting the bitter
lesson she once gave me'" thought he.
"Does he imagine | am fishing for an
avowal OF the affection which has died
out'' thought she.
81 assure you l 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 or
the ranch very much-though we are
twenty-five miles from the nearest city,
as it is called-and it is merely a big vii
lage, minus the rusticity Of a village, and
plus the gas, the gliding, the looking
glasses, the gambling, the cheating, the
orgies OF a big modern own
What an awful place" said Mona.
"You must be glad 10 have twenty-five
miles between your home and it!"
Between my place OF abode and It," he
returned. well yes! though there are
inconvenience. Yet you would be sur.
prised IL you knew how many good fellows
k 'ndly, brave, ~generous-are scattered
about among the general rowdy popula
ton, like nuggets In dirt. Are you go
ing"
Eyes, you have sat here long enough.
The sun Is beginning TO go down"
you forget hat a broken arm does not
constitute an invalid. am as strong as a
horse now"
Perhaps 50. Then the country is very
fine about these dreadful 'cltieS;'"
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 romancing; then the
beauty and luXuriance Of the under growth,
such feed for hogs-not very interesting
stock, | 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 n number Of en-
ployes-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 country! You ought
TO be happy there"
There are one or two things wanting
still one cannot 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 luckychance.
An old hunter had got it for n song some
years ago. He did a good deal in clearing
and improving, till he come to the end of
his cash, and got sick Of being settled. So
Wells bought it rs it stood cheap enough,
then he found he hadn't a penny left.
just about that time | wandered into San
Francisco and met him, so we entered into
partnership. hope to buy him out by and
by"
81 think" said Mona, were | a man, !
should rather like the life; but it must be
lonely"
"Oh, 1t would he terrible for a woman,
am afraid" said Warning, with a sigh. 81
must take out some solid reading with me,
to provide for the winter evenings"
How long shall you be in London?'
About n week."
at will be full, as il is near Easter.
Shall you not look up some of your old
friends' The contrast would amuse YOU"
"No, ] nave done with all that! There
are some relations of my fathers on whom
must call-but I really do not care to see
anyone else
This conversation had lasted while they
made the tour of a stony, heathery piece
of land outside the low, moss-grown wal
which inclosed the lawn and bit OF pleas,
ure ground, and came out upon the road
leading to Kirktoun.
AS they paused to look Mt the sunset, and
Just as Warning had uttered the last words
n gentleman on foot came round n turn OF
the road. Warnings brow contracted; he
glanced swiftly at his companion, and ex'
claimed
by Jove! it is Lisle!"
In another moment Lisle was lifting his
hat and shaking hands with Mona.
"Waringl' he exclaimed, in a tone Of
extreme surprise. Warning! by all that:
astonishing. Where how - what has
brought you here?'
Chiefly railways and steamboats,"
my uncle knew some Of Mr.. Warnings
people. They met in Glasgow, and Mr.
Waring came back with him"
II thought you were lost forever cried
I.isle, in a tone which did not express
very lively pleasure at histurning up again
well, here ! am, you see, considerably
the better for a sojourn in the wilds."
80 it seems. Why, you look years old
er!'
Now, Sir st. John, pray account fol
yourself, y said Mona. Your sudden ap
pearance requires explanation, as well a:
Mr.. Warnings"
"Does itS' said Lisle. flashing a quick
glance into her eyes. "Well, Finistour
was coming north for a little rest and fish
ing, 50, as we both had had enough Of gay
and festive scenes for the present, | came
with him, and am staying in my old quar-
tiers at Kirktoun for n day or two. How
is a wi YEP as yourquaint old uncle woulc
say"
I'VE are all remarkably well. He vii
be n good deal surprised to see YOU"
More surprised than delighted, | sus
pect."
at takes a great deal to delight Uncle
Sandy; but l think he was always placidly
pleased 10 see YOU"
And how goes the Highland cousin
Has he grown ~reconciled to his uncle'i
plans?"
"Oh, nor cried Mona, laughing; h 1
more irreconcilable than ever"
Then Lisle asked for Nine. Debrisay, ant
described with cool sarcasm the surpris,
and indignation of Gen. Fielden's friend:
at that warriors marriage.
Warning was very silent. Mona's quicl