The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-07-18


trand was nervous The sky was
growing very black and thunder be-
gan to rumble distantly. He delib-
erateiy started out to look for the
girl.
He had not gone a rod when he
heard swish in the bushes. and
turning, heard a queer little fright
ened sound. He saw nothing, but
without consciously intending to. he
callad out:
Mona, where are your" In a mo-
ment he saw her come from behind q
tree. She was very pale, and as he
rushed to meet her, she came quickly
close to him, clinging to his arm. He
drew her back under the big elm.
What does this mean?" he asked
sternly. Where is Rawson? What
are you doing alone in this storm.
Nona?" He had his coat off and was
wrapping her in it.
| "T-went away and left him-I-oh.
there he comes now!"
1t was he, indeed, his not unpleas-
ing, but hard, face worried. Bertrand
stepped out.
IF you are looking for Miss Waite.
she Is with me- / shall look after her
now" he said coldly.
The other man laughed.
Il thought that you were behind
/ things!" he said coolly "You don't
need to be so protective. I only in
sisted on knowing whether she was
going to marry me or not She has
played with me all summer, and |
| was tired of it. She had no need to
ruin away from me. You can see that
couldn't leave her in this storm.
Now you are responsible, and I will
leave you. ] believe shall also wish
you joy" he said, coolly.
He crashed off through the bushes.
Bertrand turned to Mona "Was he
annoying you in any way? If he was
he shall pay for it. Tell me just what
happened? Did he tell me the truth?"
She leaned against the rough tree
trunk and nodded. "Yes, he told the
truth. It was silly, but all of sud-
den WAS afraid-not of hin-but
Of myself 1t was as if he had me hyp-
Noticed or something. Twas afraid +
that he might make me promise-an
after all, / did not want to, John. 1t
was awful! And so ! ran away. |
went off up the wrong path, away from
Isthe links instead of toward them ;
and couldn't find my way out. And I
heard him following me. OF course he
had to-the storm was breaking, but
I could not bear to have him find me-!
And them heard your voice, and"
She began to cry.
John Bertrand laughed.
"Bless your dear little heart, Nona!"
he said. 81 was out looking for you!
had had my eyes upon all afternoon.
Sho did not resist when at a frightful
peal of thunder he came and put his
arms protectingly about her. She was
very still.
IF should ask you when you In
tend to marry me would you run
away through the wet woods like a
wild, silly thing, Nona?" He looked
down, waiting for an answer.
She nodded denial against his arm
where her head rested
Tell mel" he urged.
''You know" she breathed, chow
much I-care!"
Then the young man was very glad
with gladness entirely new to him
The sweetness Of life was in his
heart; the sweetness Of young, wet,
growing things about him.
At length the rain ceased, the sky
cleared, burst Of sun came out. They
would have their world to face and
must not look too happy. That would
tell the tale sooner than they wished
it told. They were half way across
the green when, without warning,
John Bertrand threw back his head
and burst into happy laugh. He had
remembered Harrison. Mona looked
at him for explanation.
''Nona," he said, sam I chance or
a choice? Which,"
She did not answer him, for her
mother was coming fussily down the
steps to take her in charge She had
something to tell that mother and did
not then care whether the man were
chance or not-he was her choice