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Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1889-1-18, Page 7Jllll, IS, 15.x9. avenge, eetter. marc (tar; THE J3 I: �J ' S' nrr tz4':tmvrr, ?gyregatice,,ineseticelmsw+rvtersairh rzntrett+•c,°:; 'k .ecsreatel narac-atamearartmetegetrt ONA S CH1- ICE. /3r MRS, ALEXANDER. • - "r in, 1rt, aawewer, 1 nava not yet worked out. 'Cell me something of your Indian life. You see I reciprocate the 'nterest you take Int my h tatorl/.' "1 du not tMu it you reciprocate at all," eeturnod I.til.e, with a wistful look, which site stet steadily, a slightly mocking smile 'n her yawn. Light's 'wow contracted; but he bad a gond deal of tact and self control, and be ]m mediately stetted a light amusing sketch of his life, so far as eooiety, ttavelinj;, and hunting went, and time flewploasantly, She listened with evident interest to all 110 said, often questioning hint, widen they drew near the end of their journey—of the tete-a-tete which Lisle lied schemed to se - ewe, and he bad not mired her pleasant, wtendly ease by one instant of hesitation or confusion. His most umnistakablo in- sinuations, his most killing glances, only produced half-mnused, half -Mildly smiles. Lisle was furious, mortified, anti more to love than he ever was since his boyish days. Should hie have to tell her in so many words that he adored her, and sought her for his wife, in order to extract any recognition from her? 11 she were cold, if she shrunk from him, or repelled him, he (mold understand it, and be would know Las, a0t;''":t this front•, charming ldnd- zees, this readiness to besvith him! It was a" 1. . im i trsabL f'm^e which he et; . . n camilds of breaking down. .,! bat eseermin whether er 1 have , be to ,.t ,:a, "I shrinl•t kuow wva;•.. ! ! 1 sti,p,sN sliu is playing a part. Wee:. is her uti e+? To be Lady sir.? 'Taut would It, el,jaet enough to alas, womcu; btrt, t imago I. have long ecus l to believe 111 angels, Mout le scone- tl; ag dill •rant er ,he nev.'r would hays chosen poverty in preference to Waring. Well, I'll try 'what cool friendship will do, with a dash of flirting in other direo- ttoes." "There is the Lodge," the said, pointing to a long, low 'building, or collection of buildings, which lay in a hollow beneath 'chem, the wild moorland round it, and -some huge gray rocks behind. "'The posi- tion is not cdmperable to Craigdurrooh, :and it must be cold and bleak enough in 'winter. But,I suppose no one stays • here an winter." "1 fancy my uncle will," said Mona, "'and I cannot .say I like the prospect, But-" as the sotind of a rapidly- approach- ing carriage made her turn, and she inter- rupted herself to exclaim—"Here- is Lady Pinistoun and her visitors!" "So glad•I have overtaken yowl" cried 'Lady FInistoun, saluting with her whip. "'I wanted to bo at home to 'receive you. Let us pass, Sir St. John." Lisle brew to one side, and wbipping'up her ponies, Ludy Fltdstoun clashed on Men +rapid pace. At the door vete assembled Miss Mar- ton, Bertle Everard, and Herr von Oeteen, 'one of the attaches to the German Embas- sy. The rest of the party were still in the forest, and Lord Pinistoun had gone deer - 'stalking, Lady Fiuistonu had'alighted; and stab( • on the steps to'weleome Mona, which site did' very cordially, kissing her Moro than once, and presenting har•to Miss Mentieth • as her "dear cousin." "So," said Everard, advancing tei shake hands with her; "you have been assigned s to' Lisle's care, on rcviemt toujoIars, eh?" "Oh, my mission is to take caro of • my- • self," returned Mona, sinning.' •"Y did not know you had' arrived," "Came last night, Had I known that 'Uncle Sandy's lair was between this and • Kirktoun, I should have paid'' you a visit. en route. Well, Mona, and have you re- covered the Fitzallan episode? The poor fellow has had n desperate affair since. We have had to'buy oil the lady! How is my uncle? •Are you the acknowledged heiress of Craigdarroch?" "Alas, nol There is a cousin in the, way. You must assist me 10 poison him." "With pleasure, We will. arrange the terms et the deeperate deed after dinner." "Clime, Mona, the dressing -bell willring ' in a few minutes. You shell have a cup of • tea in your room." The dinner was pleasant—even noisy, as most of the men were young and inclined ' to discuss their adventures eagerly. Mona was taken in by an honesllooking naval captain, who mado hitnself veryagreeitble; and•Llsle fell to the lot of a friatty widow, with whom he flirted gayly. Everard and :Miss Morton quarreled awidibly. The young heir was paraded, and his Health drank; and after dinner Lady Fin- istotln and Icor sister -in -Taw ?vent ttp to look at him in his cot. Then trona was • reminded that site used to sing, and was • sent to the piano, where she was surround, ad by sante of the gentlemen as Hoon 118 they came in from dinner. -Tho attache Complimented her on her rendering a Welk - silted, and talked to her for at few moments in German. I-. Mona wore sent to the piano, tet "Thon I.Isle,'who had not been near uer sine() they bad arrived, came close behind her, and said, in a low tone— "May I ask you for Testi's 'Good-bye, Summer?! It is the last song I heard you sing." "Melt?" said Mona. (How well she wenteMbered that last ]sappy evening at the Clattael) "I ant afraid I can hardly inanatgeltwithout the music, but 1 will try." Site, sucooeiled in singing it sweetly and correctly, but she might have, put more ex- pt'ossioti in it, "Thank tett;" said Like,. shortly. • "x don't thitik you, sing as well Ms yorl till. 'You used to give that in a ranch Moth melting style formerly!' cried lEvor- rr y 1 have deteriorated.' said Mona, good•hii htedty, ns site tools up Iter gloves and left t 1e p1 , •. The Germ gene satdawnuninvited, and after rat +: a brilliant moreeau, glided into n . + - .'in; waltz, After tappet; sot for a minute or two, Mims Murton boldly invited one of the younger men, a boyish Northumbrian equiee, to (duce Nlth her, and they Moro sem gyrating in the hall, the floor of which was polished oak, the open door permit- ting the mete to be cilstinetly heard. Lady Pimet onn followed with her brother- in-law, and Lisle, who had been talking with ifs host, ceased to speak, after lis- tening for a few minutes, and crossing to the doorway whore Mona was standing, iatd— "Shall we follow this wild example? I have scarcely danced since we waltzed to geblier• at the Chase, Will you trust your- self ourself with me?" "Yee" returned Mona, iu a low voice. So Lisle put his arta round her, holding her to hint more closely than wss absolute- ly necessary, and they swung round in time to the music. Menti, however, soon declared that 1t was so long since she had danced, that she felt tired and giddy al- most Immediately, and disengaging her- self from her partner, sat down beside Mrs,. Mentieth, a plain, pleasant -loan-. 'erect woman, with a degree of military incision in her tone. She had married a light +l.r:!ggoon of moderate means, and had never regretted it. Lisle stood by her for some time watch- ing for nn opportunity to talk to her un - 'ward by others, but none offered, 'If you can spare Sir. St. John Lisle!' cried Mies :Morton, suddenly standing be- fore Mona, "I have suffered enough at the hands aiui foot et an incompetent partner, and I want a few really good turns before that delightful waltz stops." ".fly clear Miss Morton, itis nearly four years since I bounded on the light fantas- tic toe," said Lisle, coolly, "and I nm not, Miss Craig will tell you, equal to conduct you through the mazy dance. I am going to have a cigar in the garden," and he strolled away. '' 1 really think Captain—I mean Sir St. John Lisle—can bo frightfully rude! He was always one of the most conceited and heartless of men! You remember that af- fair of Lady Marchmont; he really threw her over scandalously!" "I think Lady Marchmont was quite capable of taking pare of herself. Lisle is just an ordinary man of the world—a little above the average in intelligence," said Mrs. Mentieth. "Well, I would not have any young per- son put much trust in him," she returned, significantly. "You ought 10 have brough t over that handsome cousin of yours, Miss Craig. He might have taught us some reel steps. I want very much to learn the Highland Fling." "I never saw Kenneth dance," said Mona. "Kenneth! What acharming name) He has the most superb figure in the Highland costume yon can imagine, Mrs. Mentieth. A young Roderick Dhu. Are you not 111 love with him, my dear Miss Craig? Liv- ing in the same house day after day, I don't see how it is to be avoided." 1liona laughed, and said Iienneth was very handsome. Thon Miss Mortonde- clared her intention of going over to Craig- darroeh for the express purpose of improv- ing her acquaintance wvith the "brew John Ilielandman," Later, and shortly before the party broke up for the night, Lisle strolled up to where Montt was standing with Lord Finistoun, who moved away to ask his wife some question about to -morrow. "There is suoh a splendid moon," he said; "I think you would be delighted with me enact et Inc savory agile etreamnng o'er moor and mountain. A walk down to the river would be charming." "I wish I could gel" exclaimed Mona, frankly. "Do comet" he cried, "You would nob be missed for half an hour." "No, no! 'I shall,' as my uncle says, 'gang awe' to my bed,' and have a peep at the beauty you describe from my Window." "Itis a moon worthy of the warmest lovers!" exclaimed Lisle, in a tone of re- gret. "Is the moon worthy 01 warm lovers?" said Mona, glancing at hien with an arch smile; "because it is, astronomers tell us, a region of extinct y olcautaes—of exhausted fires." Lisle leaked at her sharply, and his brown contracted, "What nuttier," he said, "If they were heavenly while they lasted?" "Ah! Me does nob belong to heaven— rather to the other plane, dood-nightl" "Mona!" be exclaimed., in a low tone, "Good -night," she repeated. "Good- night, Sir St, John Lisle." - G0APTiit XXL—DIVERS 01'10'1070, Although Mona yielded to Lady Finis- tottn's earnest request, end remained over the following day, she was really anxious to return home. The passing contact tvith the social strata from trilled' she bad been divorced, showed her how deep was the golf that yawned between her present and her: past. She could, nob return to Lady Pinistonn's set, neither would they that belonged to it pass from thence; she had thrown in her lot with Undo Sandy, and with Uncle Sandy she must abide. During the day and evening which arae• enodecl that last recorded, Lislm !tad no chance of speaking to Mona excerpt before witnesses—and he grew very ill-tempered as time went on, At dinner MissMorton eleverlycaptured Lisle, whose face, under the infliction, was a source of amnsetnont to !Kona whenever she looped at Min, Them witsno attempt at dancing—the Gorman attache sang some duets with Mona, .and Miss Morton, who had a shrill; clear voice—trained 'to perform extraordinary gymnastics—treated' the company to sonic French Comic songs —a performance width so disgusted Lisle, that, with an ekpressiye glance .at Mona, he disappeared and was seen no more. The next morning .was gray and soft, and Lisle, with Lord Finistoun, started early to stalk dear, Lisle was in a very bad temper. Ire was enraged at the smil- ing ease with width Mona kopt him at bay, and mortified at being meld 1nshook by the fair .woman who so Comparatively short a tiros before had changed color when he spoke to tier—whose hand trem- bled when ho took it in his own, More over, lie was furfons with himself'for hav- ing lost the Thine of his still-eentrol, and fallen 00 Milch deeper in love than he had been. Lady Ib'inistoun expected more guests, anu was unable '1.0 accompany Mona on her tetttrh home, MIS Marton 011',1011 10 ! drive her neck W urnlgderryla In tuepany carriage, anti some time after luncheon they started. Vnriuns important nothinga had delayed their wetting out, and it wait 1(0011y tea -time when Mins Murton thew up the ponies at 1'Ir. 1'ratg"s fluor, The old gentleman bed evidently been asleep over n volume of "aletaphossics," which he frequently took up after dinner. "liere I am, uncle, back again on your lutnds," said Mona, going into the library, "Aweel, :1 am glad to see your face!" said Uncle Sandy, cheerfully, 'though you did outstay your leave. fila, you are look- ing bunny! ir'eu'Jl be finding it dull and Inanely hereafter you grand hoose, and a' the fine deluge." "I am very glad to come house, I assure you," That's right; it's kindly said," "Miss Morton is 112 the draww'ing-room, unc15—may I ask her to tea?" "Ay, to bo surra. le Lady Finistoun no with you? She is n bonny bird!" Mont explained, and ended by ringing and ordering tea to be prepared forthwith. 'i'm glad to see you, mem," sant; Uncle :sandy, shuffling into the drawing -room with the help of his stick, and holding out his hand to Miss Morton, who rose ttp tall, thin, and somewhat masculine -looking, to greet him. "You'll stay and tak' a bite and a cup u' tea." Isere he ttuubled into a chair. "There has been a touch of east is the wind yesterday AM to -day, and my back and limbs haw.. been just aching fear- nr, town reel it far keener ower 112 Strathairlle—wo aro weal sheltered here." "Olt, it is a wretchedclimate every- where," returned Miss Morton, with de- cision, "fn another month 1: suppose all olvihlzsd people Inns? quit these latitudes." "Ceeviltzedi" repeated Uncle Sandy, in a sharp key. "Why, Scotland is the most ceei'tlized country upon earth!' "Oh, indeed! I never heard that before," said Miss Morton, removing her flat and re -settling the feather. "Then. it is time yon dict! Whaur wvlll ye and a people so well attained, and so intelligent.? Wham will ye find so much thrift, so little crime, such a God-fearin', self-respoetiu' population—" "So extensive a consumption of whisky, and so large au 211egttlmate birth-ratel" intoreuptecl Miss Morton, with strong em- phasis. Uncle Sandy gasped. That n woman— a, young wonean,or -a woman who posed as young—a spinster, a fine lady, should have unhesitatingly uttered such a word—abso- lutely stunned him. "Aweel, aweel, that's easy said. 'GM a dog a bad name.' A' that is no proven," he returned, feebly; for he knew little of statistics, nor was he much given tobelieve what he did not like. "I don't know if you ever read the.graver magazines," said Miss Morton, with =in- tolerable air of superiority, "so perhaps you have not seen Professor Macgrubber's paper 011 the comparative morality of the Celtic races. He brings out some curious facts." "Facts!" angrily. "!ire ye sure they are Sects? I wool nn be so keen to believe what a mon says against his bin country= (I suppose by his name Ire's Scotch?)—'it's an ill bird that fouls its sin nest.'" "Ohl be is a perfectly reliable scientific man, and he says the illegitimate—" "It's no becoming to argue such a like 'Subject wi' a young teddy," interrupted Uncle Sandy, hastily and severely, 'At any rate, we are cecvilized enough to ken that," "Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Miss Morton, with some contempt. "It is evident you are more moral in talk than in action.". Before Mr, Craig could gather his forces to reply, Mona; came to the rescue. "I am sure tea must be ready. Shall we go into the dining -room? I am quite long- ing for a sup." "So am I. It is past my usual tea -time," cried bliss Morton. "What a lovely view you have beret I have rarely seen any- thing more beautiful, and I have knocked about a good deal," "I am surprised yo And any good in the country at a'," remarked Uncle Sandy, with withering sarcasm, as he took his seat. "The country, the rocks and mountains, and burns and sea, aro well enough. In short, all save the spirit of man, and the climate are divine," remarked Miss Mor- ton, oiton, with cheerful disregard of what any- one else thought. This was so very evident, that Uncle Sandy instinctively felt that he had better leave her alone. "Mona and 200—we have wandered a bit outset's," he resumed, to change the sub- ject. "It's vnrra divertin' to see the dif- ferences betwixt diverse nations." "Ib used 10 be," corrected Mies Morton; "but they aro all growing horribly alike, When I was ins? at Jerusalem," she con- tinued, helping herself to a cream scone, while Uncle Sandy's eyes looked big with amazement, ns seen over a huge cup of tea the had gust lifted to his lips—"when I was last at Jerusalem, a very entorerising Ger- man was just going to start a threepenny 'bus, from the Temple to Tophet—conven- fennt 11121 vulgar," It is much to the credit of Uncle Saudy's national caution and self-control that he swallowed his tea in silence, and even helped himself to a spoonful of marmalade before ho replied dryly in the interrogative Lorm— "Aucl how !Many times might you have been iu the Holy City?" "'Twice. Fist when I joined Lord and Lncly lIuntover'a party, and I was awfully bored. That determined me to travel on my own hook over after; and then the year before last, when I wont down the Dan- ube =thy the Black Sea to Constantinople, and so on by Smyrna and, Damascus to Jerusalem: I only took my maid, and a dragoman from Smyrna. I enjoyed that tour. 1 tneb some very good-looking Amer- ican naval officers; they were shrewd and aninetag. Apropos, where Is your nephew, Mr, Craig?" "Ile is awe' to the loch wi' Mary Black to fish. He never does much, though, wi' tine rod. Iltelandors have 110 patience -- they want to be aye bang -banging at birds. I doubt but Kenneth will have taken the note. They will bo hero sooir. The girlie canna want her teat." "t like to hear you talk, Mr. Craig," said Miss, Morton, sending in her cup .for re- pienishing, "I fancy your Scotch is pure and nnadultef ate(," "My English, you mean," loo saki, an., Maly. "It is wsel known that, the Scotch speak better, auud•moro gratnmatteal ling- lash than the English themselves," "Iain learning a gond deal to -day," said Mies Morton, really. ;Mona hastened 10 turn glia :athlete. ;ex: tar erso tut. asstens ^M tM1 t rmereaw '° sestet: (lacy it will suit you to guide me to 11115 (.1512511 at Balutnirl Good -evening, Mr. Craig, 1 with you would lot your wok teach Lady 1,11114(011 11 '1,1 113150 toattake t4108ecrcnn1 scuues. 11 I eau find that article of Mac- grubber's 1'11 send it to you. It swill en- lighten you a good deal," "Yen need not Yash yourself," stiffly. "It's a kind o' enlightenment I ,lima ;rant." "That is sinning against light, Mr. Craig. Goad -evening." Kenneth was very attentive in arrang- lug :111>:1 Morton's wraps, and she Was tl.tt teringly coquettish. Mary could hardly hide her laughter; then Everard jumped in, and they were off. "'That's a vnrra remarkable woman," said Uncle Sandy, wheu they all re-assem-' bled in the library where a wood Are was crackling. "But I canna say that she seems to me a wiselike ane. 'T'hero's. just naething she will nit put her tongue to;. neither is there ooything that is respeckit; by her. She Is ay interrup iagan' moider-' iag aulder and wiser folk then horsed', She bus wandered to and fro, and seen ai wan of places; but it has no improved her, intelligence, for when a's said an' dune, she is Just a haverin' laupy!" "1]11, Mr. Craig, but yen aro cruel to speak so of a Teddy that lienneth is sn pleased with, and who is so taken up with him," said Mary, with n pretty, saucy' smile. t%4 "il'hv, 262,4 Beetle E, err-,;." "1 nave always had a great wish to see Damascus," she said, "Is it very beauti- ful?" "Yes, very lovely- nomostpiotnresque place. It is completely encircled by hills. The site is something like -.oh, litre a fry- ing -pan l The city, with its gardens end abundant trees, lies at the bottom, and a straight white road sloping up slightly looks like the handle, and lends to Bey - rent." "Here comae your nephew, Mr. Craig, and the young lady," cried Miss Marton, interrupting Herself—leer seat was opposite one of the windows, "There is another gentleman with them. 1 seem to know him, Why, it is Bartle Everard, and he has a rod in his hand. I thought he had grate with the (.leer -stalkers. Now ho will expect me to drive him back. What a bore!" In a few moments Miss Black came in, blushing brightly from pleasure at seeing Mona, as well as from habitual shyness. She came straight to her, and hissed her with quiet cordiality. Iienneth, too, had no eyes for anyone but Mona, until he had greeted her, Then Miss Morton called out— "How goes it, Mr. Macalister? Come here and sit by me. What a provoking creature you are to be out, when I bays taken the trouble to drive over Here." Kenneth colored crimson, and explained to her and to his uncle that he was not fit to sit down to table, after dragging a net, until he had changed his clothes. Then he made his escape. Everard went up to Mr. Craig. "Very glad to see you, sir," he said, with unusual civility. "I have been com- ing to call on you two or three times. Now I have made my way here at rather an un- suitable time, which I hope you'llexcuse." "Sit ye doon, sit ye doom!" cried Uncle' Sandy. "All times are suitable—'specially when food is ready. Bring mair cups and cookies, We are nae denuded, though the housewife has been awe'.' "I thought you had gone with the deer- stalkers." said Mona. "I intended going, but Lisle was in such a beastly bad temper I thought I wouldn't venture. We would have been sure to quarrel. This place looks uncommonly well—ever so much better than when Fitz- allan had it. That's partly your doing, eh, Mona? Thank you," as she handed him his tea. "I must say women can bo of use in making the inside of a house bearable, if in nothing else." "I believe men would do it better if they put their minds to it," said bliss Morton• "You ought not to say so, even if you think it," returned Everard. "It isn't good form for a woman to run down wo- man." "But I don't run them down!" cried Miss Morton. Then interrupting herself, a0 Mary was about to take the scat beside her—"No, not that is Mr. Maealister's place," Poor Mary fled to Mona's side of the ta• ble: "Come by me, dearie," said Uncle Sandy, "hurstling" nearer the end of the table tc make room for her. "Why, you never do anything else," con- tinued Everard, speaking to Miss Morton. "You bully all the women up at the Lodge to no end." "Why do they let 1ne, then P They arc so weal(, I cannot help it." "Tho apostle says-" began Uncle Sandy, with some solemnity, intending to coavey a dignified rebuke, and to say a weal in 80011 "88Which apostle?" asked Everard, quick- ly. "The Apostle Paul was a man of the world. He !night have an idea or two on the extremely complicated question of fe- male character, but the rest aro nowhere on such a subject." "You are really the most contradictory creature 1 ever met, Bette:" exclaimed Miss Morton. "You aro always railing at women yourself, but if I say a word against them, you are up in arms." "In arms! Whose arms? (lours? I am afraid you would give me more of a bear's hug than a loving squeeze." "Well!" cried Kenneth, who had return- ed clothed in his very best kilt and plaid, hastily swallowing a lump of shortbread, and reddening vehemently with the effort, as also at the sound of his own voice, "I say that no 01011 is good for much who thinks the world would be worth living in were it not for the ladies.' "Bravo, Kenneth!" shad Mona, while Mary clapped her hands, and Uncle Sandy again essayed to express his views. "The mon wha bas 00 a kindly thocht for the mither that watched over him, and—" "Ohl mothers don't count in Mr. Ever- ard's world" interrupted Miss Morton. "He is so devoid of human feeling, that he must have been hatched by some patent incubator, Eke the funny little fluffy chick- ens one ee05 in that window in Regent Street." "Thank you," said Everard. "I am large- ly iu your debt. When," turning to Uncle Sandy, "aro you going to let Mona 00200• back tq us?" "00119110U she likes, yvh0n alto likes!' "I am not going frcen home again, thank you," said Mona, "I am conceitedenough to thinly that I am of more use hero than anywhere else," "And so got are, my lassie, se you are1" "Why we Will all be inconsolable, and. Lisle will be tearing his hhtrl Come, Miss Morton, if you have clone deluding that eon of the mountains, it, le time to drive' aka' back to th0 ;Goclgc," Why, are gou;lnat going to walk?" "Not if 1 aha help it, "Then I -suppose wire must go," to Ken- neth. "Yen will be sure to tell use what'' "I 1 i h Iu 1:,, a tido eltar 81).1101 Iler," said Thiel. Sandy, dray ;1214 an era c hair near • the the, mal 1tantalise into it, white his stich, c;tluhiu ander tis sir,+•front, up- heaved than with t huge clang, "If yen stay hare. last bile ;till, for I wv.tat a little sleep to mak up for what that s ly wo- ntart broke 11111114114 and if ye c.,un:.a, ,;:ash i gang in the 1/1.11( .1. roam," The yew'+, 10 readily took 1111' hilt, and in the de.., a.+:u bell high council. The topic uc,.1•••• tltiemse.tn was Mary's return home. She thought she had been away long metal). But Mona strongly urged 12 remaining. You are rapidly becoming a prime fav- i orite with my uucle, and you must rivet your chains before we venture to broach the question of your marriage. Let me write to your mother begging an extension of leave," This advice prevailed, Mary adding to her consent with a soft sigh— "I am just too happy ]fere." 44 'k • Y to The fine weather which bad prevailed for some weeks naw broke up, and Octo- ber presented itself in gloomy guise, with wild winds and driving rain, which per- mitted but little out -door exercise to the girls. Uncle Sandy himself was a little com- plaining and cranky; but; on the whole, mneic and reading, the state of the stocks, ' and book-keeping, with Kenneth's help, kept them tolerably amused during this period of imprisonment. Lisle made no sign. Mona was not sorry. His presence, without having a distinctly . disturbing effect, awoke painful memories, and obliged her constantly to think before she spoke. At length a fairly bright morn- ' ing broke upon the deluged country, and : Mona undertook to drive into Kirktoun to ' execute divers commissions. Uncle Sandy objecting to bo left alone, Mona departed with only "the boy" in .at- tendance. Having finished her business, she turned the horse's head homeward, and had alighted to walk up the steep road which led from the loch to Oraigdarrocb, when a sportsman, with dog and gun, suddenly emerged from a small wood which filled a sheltered hollow, and approached her. She recognized Lisle, and paused to speak to him. "I1 is more thou a fortnight since 1saw , you!" He exclaimed, in an aggrieved tone, while bis keen light eyes sparkledwwith the joy of seeing her, and his bard mouth re- laxed into a pleasant smile. "I suppose itis," returned Mona, smil- ing. "It is n delightful day for walking. Will you not tell your servant to take the trap home, and let me have the pleasure of es - carting you by the short way to the house," Mona thought for a moment, and then said—"I will," Directing the boy to go on, she walked ou beside L islo, and they turned off almost immediately by a path to the left, that led by a steeper and more direct line to the hone(, Tdsie opened the cmnveisltltunbs, saying— "You are net bound here for the Lora of your natural life, are you?" looking eager- ly into her eyes. "That unspeakable bore, Miss Morton, mentioned some absurd re- port of your uncle intending to marry you to iris wild highlander of a nephew. It Cannot be true!" "Why?" asked Mona, demurely. "Why? A creature like that!" "He is very good-looking, and most ami- able in disposition," "Bub one knows how an amiable dispo- sition may fare at your he return ed somewhat bitterly, "Toll me, for God's sake, is it possible you can contemplate suoh a sacrifice? Do you really think of linking yourself with a1 mere respectable farmer?" "Pray remember, if yon please, that I%eunoth Macalfster is my 110ar kinsman; he cannot be socially beneath me." "I dare say you think aro an ill-bred brute, but you know how profoundly in- terested I have always been in you, and once in a crisis in your fate, you permitted me to advise trot—" "I do not think yon 200128d for vermis- slonl" said Mona, with an arch smile. "I think Inever made such a mistake in my life! I am always burning to implore your forgiw•enossfor my idiotic suggestion." "What is there to forgive}" she returned gently. "On the canttary, I ought to be gretefnl to you for brooking through the prinoiple 00 non-intervention, which, of course, would have prevented a menet the world doing anything so quixotic lie to of- fer'a way of escape tea damsel in 215105es," "limy I tell you what rimy own state of 3011101 was at that unhappy juncture?" 'N'o, no! 'There is no • use in looking back! .Tet us thaink heaven for tine prns- ent." "I do not," said :Lisle, gloomily, "Bat do not Ill enigmatic. You are not going to marry this• -•this emisill of yours?" ".\o Sir St, .Tolmu " returned done., as - emitting an air of sadness. '•1 cannot, see- ing that he has r"eleotod ma " "Whitt!" oiled Lillie; "rejected you?" "Vey, 1: hope you sympathise wvith foo In the 4N Sok 1 hate received ? Ila I Kenneth lrrefar s et (0 Meera ('00 Inc tort:mer le.) ) CD CD 0-4 CD 0 i --r I- erf 1-1• 0 0 It's Q 0 0 0 7;0 it