Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-01-20
MONICA.
A LOVE STORY OF MODERN DAYS

for him-nay, far lesS-than she does for
her little toy terrier. Yet, even as these
stern resolves seek vainly to root them.
selves In his breast, his eyes turn again to
the room beyond, and make search for the
siren who is his undoing. She Is still, of
course, with Rossmoyne, and is all smiles
and pretty bushes, and is evidently both
content and happy.
Il am fool Ia madman!" he saws ia
himself; and even as he says il his ewes
light on Owen Kelly who by chance is look.
ing at him too.
Crossing the room, the latter (as though
drawn by the melancholy eyes that have
met his) soon reaches the window where
Ronayne stands disconsolate.
why so pale and wan, fond lover?" he
says, gayly, but with so kindly an intona-
ton that even the most pugnacious could
not take umbrage at II.
Now, Mr.. Kelly's knowledge on all mat
ters is so clear and precise that Ronayne
does not dream Of deceiying him in this
matter.
''Of course you will laugh at me, he says /;
but somehow don't mind yoitr rldicule
much. 1t means only this, that have Just
found out that she cares nothing at all for
me-"
''She, being Mrs. Bohm? Well, my dear
lad, If an elderly gentlemans experience is
or any use to you, you may have 1t cheap.
believes she cares great deal for YOU
Lookers-on see most of the game, and
would back you against Rossmoyne any
day."
You are very good fellow" says Ulic
Ronayne, "the best know; but | under
stand you. You are only saying that to
console me-"
II am not, in faith; / say it because
think it,"
II wish | could think it."
Try. If ut first you don't succeed you
Know, follow, ont the inestimable Watts
advice, and try again. There's nothing
like 1t; it gets to be quite game in the long
run. l thank my stars" laughing, IL have
never been slave TO the pathetic falIacy'
called love; yet it has its good points, l sup
pose."
1T hasn't" says Ronayne, gloomily.
You terrlfy me-" says Mr.. Kelly, "be-
cause feel positive my day is yet TO come,
and with all this misery before me feel
suicidal Don't my dear fellow! don't look
like that! Give her up; go and fall in love
with some little girl of your own age or even
younger"
The "even" is offensive, but Ulic is too
far gone in melancholy to perceive it,
1T is too late for that kind of advice" he
says; Il want her, and her only. l don't
Know how to describe II, but"
There are Chords" quotes his friend,
grayely.
Just So" says the miserable Ronayne,
quite as gravely; which so upsets the gravi-
" OF his companion that-tis with difficulty
he conceals his ill-timed mirth.
What is that mutilated article in your
hand?' he asks, at length, when he has con-
quered his muscles.
'This-eh oh, her card, suppose" saws
Ronayne, viciously. Yet even as he speaks
he smooths out the crumpled card, and re-
CARDS itwith dismal tenderness as being in
part her.
You're engaged to her for the next says
Mr., Kelly, looking over his shoulder; "what
an unfortunate thing! If | were YOU"
mournfully, Il should 60 home. Get i'll.
Do SO1ncthtng"
And so let her think I'm wasting in des-
par because she prefers another? No. [
sha'nt," says ROnayne, with sudden anima-
tion. II shall see it out with her. If she
chooses to cancel this dance, well and good,
Out shall certainly remind her she promis-
ed 1t to me-"
Rash boy!' says Kelly, with sigh. "As
you refuse to hearkcn to the voice Of COM
mon sense, and aftiict yourself with me-
grim, leave you to your fate"
So saying, he turns aside, and, having
gone step or two, finds himself face to face
with Miss Beresford."
"Thls dance is ours" he says, menda-
ciously, knowing well this is the first time
they have met this evening.
Monica laughs; to be angry with so sad a
visaged man as Owen Kelly would be
cruelty.
II am glad of it," she says, ''because do
not want to dance at all; and think Won
will not mind sitting with me and talking
to me for little while"
"You remember me, then?" he says, shift
Ing his glass from one eye to the other, and
telling himself she is as pretty as she is
wise.
II think So" shyly, yet with merry
glance; you are that Master O'Kelly, of
Kelly's Grove, county Antrim, who is the
bright and Ginning light of the Junior Bar"
you do indeed know me-" returns he
mildly.
Thy modesty's candle to thy merit"
quotes she, wickedly, in low tone.
At this he smiles sadly "a luxury he rarely
permits himselD, and, taking up her hand,
lays it on his arm.
Come" he says, Il will sit with you, and
talk with you, when, and where, and as long
as you like. The longer the greater bliss
for me. The spacOllSness of these hallS
fair madam, as doubtless You have perceiv-
ell, gives wide scope for choice Of seats. In
which secluded bower will it please you to
efface yourself?'
Monica glances from one small room to
the landing-place and from the landing
place to the other small room beyond and
hesitates.
There is another stairs besides the one
we ascended," says Mr.. Kelly. Il saw it
when first came; would you like to see it
too?"
II should indeed" says Monica, grateful
for the E!nt, and, going with him. suddenly
becomes aware of staircase, leading good
ness knows whittier, upon the third step of
which she seats herself, after a rapid glance
around and upward that tells her nothing,
so mysterious are the workings of bar
racks.
Mr.. Kelly seats himself beside her.
II suppose it my mission to amuse you,"
ne says, calmly, 'as l dare not make love to
you"
'Why not" says Monica, quite as calmly.
"For one thing, you would not listen to
ne; ana Tor another, don't want my head
DrOken."
Monica smiles, more because it is her duty
o than for any other reason, because after
he smile comes a sigh.
II know few knights would tilt lance
'or me-" she says; and Kelly, glancing at
Ter, feels quick desire rise within him to
'estore sunshine to her perfect face
Zone knight should be enough for any
me, even the fairest lady in the land" he
ays.
''True; but what is to be for her who has
lone"' asks she, pathos in her eyes, but
her lips"
"She must be a very perverse maiden who
has that story to tell,' returns he; and then,
eeing she has turned her face away from
Inn, 1,..fr s.tI..