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Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1889-2-1, Page 714` Vel). .1, 1810. r7 H E 131, i'JSSELS P05 elle i:ne t tweerceeUrsageet a eget temats¢a rill'. aelea , rr.�.eremaac MoNAs C H C ICE. iii• MRH. ALEXANDER, jaelet- int, 111110,n 11 elm, so are, gee Oust omlvietl 10 'Stili,' said 1e, its trout of ids thoughts, I don't like to see you killing yo :wee telee1 1101101 want to do rnyttlug of the kind; life is still worth living fur me,' , e ' "Phage because you have etgood heul't! ho Wed, 1111t s Ia " 'Don't flatter' said I "'1 d 1 t [ never dol saidn a he.N\v I am rather lonely so are you suppose you Dome abroad with me and take care of me? IVs not much of an offer to a hand- some woman still in her prime,' said lee, very civilly-, "'My dear general,' said I, 'what would the world say?' 'We'll gag the world, my dear Mar ;no Debrisity, if you have no objection to go through a little ceremony!' ' 'Good gructou$, general!' I cried, 'do you want to marry me?' "'I do,' mid he, very stoutly. 'I baven't much to offer you, hut I can leave you enough for independence, ' We have both borne the burden of the day, so let us spend a peaceful evening together. 1 am a gruff .sort of fellow, bat sot bad at heart; and .1'11 not growl more than 1 can help. Just turn it over he your mind, and 1 will come 'to -morrow for all answer, If Yon say yes, we might get things arranged, and start in ten days oe so for Nice." 'Well, dear, 1 have said 'Yes,' and I think I have Mine well. We are to be mar - rife; ,., lac 1,1. .try ulnae, Ins neither of ata are at the rontaltle age when we might want to make a rellreoue festival of it. Herr and Frau Nucbtiwlll are to be my witnesses, awl an amen!: ent veteran, em old comrade of Genera l 1:e/dean's, is to be his. I thiuk the dear old fellow is quite fond of me. He brings me presents every day; one time a pair of gloves lined with fur; thea a watch (it belonged to his wife, I imagine, but it is good and pretty), then a warm cloak, lie is strong in wraps, end is unite cheerful about being married, 'Well, 1101111, Pll rho my very best to 1:;:1k0 him happy and comfortable. Ile is a good soul anti a reel gentleman. Ho scuds ids 10V3 to you, and says ho is quite ready and willing to adopb yon at any time; so, dear, you bavo not lost me you have kept m0 and dined another and a much more potent Telenet Write and toll me what yon think of all.thle. I shall long to see you, and Uncle Sandy must spare you to us when we come hack to Paris in the spring. Always your loving friend, "G. Dennison." Mona rend this lunportant communica- tion with sincerest pleasure. "I will go and write a letter of oongratulatiou, and I will send her poor grannie's cat's-eye and diamond bracelet for a wedding present; itis the prettiest thing I have. I wonder will my uncle think of giving her any- thing?" Here that gentleman's stick was heard tap -tapping as he approached after an expedition to the poultry -yard with Kenneth. "01, Uncle Sandys" she cried, as he came in and threw himself Into his partic- ular°chair, "I have just had a letter from Madame Debrlsay. Sho is going to be married." "Married! Aweel, there's nee Yule like wield (11101 I'll be hound she's goin' to tak soma lad that might be her son!" he exclaimed, with severe contempt. "You are wrong, uncle; she is going to merry General Fielden--who must be 11f - teen or twenty years older than she is—a nice' old gentleman, who wants someone to take'tare of him and make his last days comfortable; so they think it wiser and many+ :'espectable to be married." "'that sounds n u ou s fair reuse able. Hos the general ouy silver? These soldier men scat - tor emir than they gather. It's just n mis- .fortin' to the country to 'have the like o' • them to support." "Ho is not rich," returned Mona, leaving her uncle's abstract observation unanswer- ed, "but fairly well off—at leest for all they will want. I nm very, very glad of this news; for though dear Madame Deb- risay has worked so hard, I do not think she bas laid by anything, and the time will come when she can work no mono." "That's true, Mona; but it's no every young lassie would think o't, an' it mak's me think o' yoursel', 1 11 not forget you, my dearle; and Pll no put It of/ ony mair, Pil go duan to Gletsga', the week after next, and see Mr. Cochran—that's my ion ca business—about pnttin' a codicil to my will. Ye see, I hoped and hoped you and. Kenneth would malt' it act together. I wished ye baith to profit by my bits o' property—but that's aover." "Dear uncle, yon must think of Kenneth first; then, if you like to remember me, I shall be a cry grateful." "I'll not forget yol But you manna an- ger me; ye do sometimes. You are a brow lassie—that I ant not clenyin'—but ye think too tench 0' yotu'sel'—you think nee mon goo! Cu,;gh for yo. There's yon baronet —Sir St. John Lisle—he'd ask you to -mor- row if ynn'd let biro! I am auld and cauld, but I'nl no sae dottleli that I canna read what's in a coon's eon—and he's a gran' gentleman. Pd like the folk to sea Sandy Craig's niece 'her iedclyship."' "But, uncle, I thought you despieed and dismproved of titles?" they are just senseless toys, but I canna pit them out o' the world, and I like the best o' a' things to come to 3/10 and mine! Thou a finerleh man wouldna care for a Weller wi' his wife, and so I'd hao main for Kenneth'—wha must marry some gtule, respectable, 'well-to-do lassie, who. will need siller'wi' her mon." "Ah, well, uncle, it will be time enough to talk about'refusing Sir St. John Lisle when he asks mel Now I am going to write to madtame—what' shall I say for yon?" "Eh, my;best'respects, an' Ihope abless- ing will lioht' on her new undertaking. But I see the boy colnlng wi' the', bag; he'll hao the Seatsniatl., sae ye, must read abittie $rat, X'111 varra keen to eee how the 'elec- tion at ClechanSrig hag gano—PM 1earin' it will be, against the Liberals;". Mona therefore had to restrain her ar- dor, and wado through long dolmans of local politics,'beforo she could pour out her warm congratulations to her beloved Dob. A. brisk interchange of letters ensued— ectremely brief on Mme, Dobeieay's side, Then came a pans°, and the announoenient in the L'181 —r"On the 20111, at the Regle- try Ofiicel Paddington, General TYetden— to Geraldine, widow of the late Arthur Debrisay, formerly Captain le theliarsorin Marie Therese Ilussat,s.—'No nerds." It gave Mona a little additional sense of loneliness to thinit that sea and land 'teetehed 00 widely between "Deb" and her herself, for, after all, Deb was ber mainstay. 0 eF ii * it ,e " * k Iter, brag's n11811=11 Of janr11ey111g to &lasgow was postponed because he caught neeery.sovore oold, end was obliged tol ecp hie belt This 7 ,'3 Me trv,1, tee Te nselmid, 113 file OW 1111111 11n'nge was getup to :lee . el demanded emit -50 etteutlou, 11, , e.reeere !n the hast week of Jame 1 : , eaenursged by a favorable elle 3',;:let', he set out o1) his travels, 11 e '11i10,1 1141 away two clear tiny,, u.rthe m tngof the 116eou(1 Mont received a fan uhaust lllegi- bis like front 111n1 maybe thee he (lid 11131 expect to get lawny till the following Sat- urday. Of this we11101ne breathing spaeo 1Cen- noth took advantage to pay a hying visit 'y-.- one moruing, to lie Mol 0 vi t" earl n m s 1 1 it 1 y l+,r Red returning late the followingnight—an interval of utter loneliness which was most depressing to Mona. Saturday broke brightly, full of promise for a line day. Already a breath of spring mime with the sea breeze to cheer and in- vigorate. Before Kenneth and Mona had risen Prom the hroalcfast-table, where they had sat longer than usual talking of Mary, and discussing bow and when the eubject of Kenneth's marriage with her could beet bo broached to Uncle Sandy, a telegram was put into lfona's hands from that po- tentate—"Will bring a gen tle emu wi th me. Best bed -room." "Who can it he?" said Kenneth. "The lawyer, moat likely," returned Mona. "I don't Wale he world give Mr, Cochran the best bed -room "If 'the eoleime nem le to 1!7`.'S' the best room bo must have a good supper. •Ishall see I'hamie 111 once, The idea of a stranger guest is positively exciting! There are some grouse in the larder; if you would take the 11e1H, Kenneth, and get HOMO fish, 11 think I could manage a respeelal'Lo din- nor—yes, dinner itshall be. Vi,, Kenneth!" with a sudden look of dismay, ''suppose it Is SIr St. John Lisle?" "And what for allould it not be Lisle? Ile is a fery nice man, find thinks fery much of you, Mona. I dour say it will be Lisle," "I hope not. Ile is frightfully particu- lar, and rather au epicure. But it cannot bet What would bring him up here at);his season?" "May be to see you, Cousin Mona," "He would not take that trouble," the said, more to herself than to her compan- iqn, as she left the room to held high court - ell with the cook—to see to the rubbing up DE what silver her uncle possessed—to in- terview the gardener—to set Jessie to pre. pare the best room, and keep up a good fire therein. It was reviving to have something to do —something to anticipate. Even if the nameless visitor proved to be Lisle, he would be welcome after such an unbroken spell of monotony. The rest of the clay was busily employed till the shades of evening began to elose— tben having seen the table sot and duly decorated with flowers; the claret placed n the temperature where it was to be drunk; the drawing -room made pretty, and goocl fires everywhere, Mona 'retired to dress. "If it is Captain Lisle I need not look a fright," she tboughi;"if it is et stranger, my uncle will be pleased to see me at my best." She well knew rclaole Sandy's pride in his belongings, '11 prick which caused some painful strugglles in his soul between the love of a good lappearance and the love of pelf. So she put alp her rich golden heir in. be- coming coils and short wavy braids, ar- rayed herself in a polonaise of soft creamy muslin over her black attain skirt, and tied an old•dashlened enamel locket with black velvet round the snowy throat which her open corsage permitted to be seen. This, and a large spray of reel geranium and fern On 0110 side of her bodice, were her only ornaments. Sho wasquite ready, and not dissatisfied with herself, some time before the hour at ' which the travelers were expected, s0 she I sat down to the piano and played dreamily I to Kenneth, who had also got himself up 1 ivil,h care. 'They are late, are they not?" said Mona, end as she spoke the sound of approaching wheels made itself heard. "No," he returned; "the train must have been punctual—here they come!' "Now the mystery will be solved!" cried Mona, rising and following Kenneth into `..p ,. Tien Heeveneered herself till the more rapidly, beenus3 he tweeted perfectly unmoved --while she could only exclaim in nn agitated voice—"Mr. Waring!' Ile 13111(quietly--'"1`hls 114 a moat u110x- peeled pletieulr," and took the hand she extended mu'hauically, "fell, aunt, " cried l'ieslo Sandy, "do ye ken Munn? How's this? Ye never told 1)14','' 1 "111ad no idea Mies Joocelyn wit h1 any way related to you!" said Waring, with a mite, b as ,T se'e my 1'1 c e's 1 it J e- '9fi. 1 I r l0 Miss aaC Y• I lyn here. This is my niece, Mona Craig!' "I remember naw," sold Waring, quick- ly; "1 beg your pardon. I had the pleasure of knowing Miss Craig some years ago, in I,ondmt," "lt si varra remarkable; but there's time enough to talk about it a'. Go, tale of/ yer coat. Kenneth, show Afr, 'Waring his room. Came, my bairnie, toll Jostle to beteg up the vivers. I'm just faint like; it has been a cold journey," "Will you take a little whisky and water at once, nnclo?" asked Mona, trying to re. member her duties with an effort, sodazed did elm feel at this astounding reappear- alme, "Aweel, it might be better to do so. Just hang tip my coat, will you? Eh, but you have a fire that's enough to set a' the chimneys in Iiirlctoun burning; still it looks Arae'. The young mon will think an11 Sandy ('rang has a fine hoose o' his vin. It's varra strange you knowing each other. 'Thank yon, my dcarie," as she handed him his allowance of whisky and tea 11)1'. "Hut, uncle, how in the world did you come to know Mr. Waring?" "Me? Aweel, I knew him when he was a wee bairn, but it's long years since, His mother was Mr. Leslie's daughter. You'll mod my telling you o' the great hoose o' Maceachern et Loelle. Leslie was the gran' gentleman of the firm; and his daugh- ter—eh, my word, she was a bonnie! she was the young toddy that ought to have been my wife, and this lad's eyes are just like his mother's—site married a proudt upsetting Elrg[lehman: but the stller was hers, and the boy was named after her father. He has beeu fulish, I'm (sarin' and has spent a cruel lot o' motley, gaining awfn'and mein' and rampaging. Some- thing turned him wrong; moo, he seems more wise -like, 'and has settled (loon on a farm in America. He came over aboot some law plea, a bit o' money that was coming,to him through his mother, and sae he came on to Glasga', to speak to Mr. Cocbran, who was aye the adviser of a' the hoose, an' there he found me, I was right glad to meet him, and—but here lie is, and Jessie, too. The denner's ready. I'm glad to see'you in my boose, Mr; !Paring, Give me your arm. I am a puir frail body." Wnriug threw a smiling glance at Mona, as if asking pardon for preceding her, and led his host into the dining -room. Mona took her place at the head of the table with au over -powering sense of em- barrassment, mixed with self-reproach. "Something had turned him wrong?" Uncle Sandy said; "was she that 'some- thing?' " Pride came to her assistance, however; she must not let him see how overwhelmed she really was. By a resolute effort she recalled her self-control, and played the part of hostess with sweet gravity and ' simple kindness; but though avoiding r h keenly Waring's eyes, shebserved how o k taller greatly he had changed, He looked ' because he had grown thinner. His strong ! figure looked firmer and more set; his face, 1longer, darker, more imbrowned, and grave, If not absolutely sad; it had com- ' pletely lost the florid fleshiness of early manhood; his eyes, too, seemed larger and more thoughtful; but his long think mus- tache, drooping to either side, showed when he smiled that his rather large teoth were as brilliantly white as before; his heads, that used to be so creamy and plump, were burnod almost black, and showed both bone and muscle, as though they and hard work were well acquainted. Yes, he was changed wonderfully, and im- proved. His old, good-humored eagerness to please and to be pleased was replaced by profound repose of manner, as if the ef- ferveseneo of youth had entirely evaporat- ed, and left a slightly weary but kindly quietude behind. He ate his diluter as if he liked it, and did not say much; once ho looked round the pretty, comfortable room admiringly, and exclaimed— "You cannot think, Mr. Craig, how de- lightful all this seems to Ino. Tho bright silver and glass, the flowers, the look of refinement—these things want a woman's touch!" "I suppose you have no younglodcties not yonder?" "No; my partner, lite myself, is a bach- elor, Indeed, it has hitherto been too rough for ladies; but we ere improving rapidly. Wb had nearly finished a log house when I left; quite an architectural mansion," added Waring, laughing. His laugh was still frank and pleasant. "I hope your partner is an honest man," quoth Ml, Craig. "X hope so too. Indeed, I bellove ho is. He comes 01 a respectable English family, and has been accustomed to the life of a ranche since his early boyhood. He is a first-rate judge of cattle and horses; and if he had not much money capital to put into the venture, he contributes what is quite es valuable—knowledge and practice," "Eh, I'm no that sure. There's as much danger as profit sometimes in the knowl- edge of penniless men." "Oh, Watson is not penniless; end 10 is really a very good fellow," "That is fortunate," said Mona, forcing herself to join in the conversation. "I sup- pose you have no other companion." "None, A chance traveler asks for hos- pitality now and then, but 1e never stays Long." "It most bo a lonely, lite, thought should not dislike ib," said Kenneth, "I certainly do not. There's freedom and plenty of 'work, and when night comes ono is too tired for anything hat a goodnight's test," "And 1 dam say you are snair peecefnl and content to bo neva' frau Son pow -sow• Ilse o' conceited files and grinning cheats they ea' the great world," saidleucle Sanely, viciously. "01, human nature IS pretty much the same In. the wilderness or in the 'world of social life," said Waring, good—humoredly "Itwould bo but poor philosophy to cry put against the world I have lett because Inlayed the tool there; on my head bo 11 If I threw awey my fortune. Thera are as many goad fellows ---m' OS few good follows --.in one skate of life as another," T )1'ttr vo tint," said 1Le111tet11. "1 Arena fount!, herself face to face with Les - l40 Waning," the hall, where at the open door stood "Wallace," a fine, black molly, barking an uproarious welcome. Uncle Sandy descended in a very dislo- cated fashion from the phaeton, with Ken- neth's help, and advanced to meet Mona, who kissed him kfmlly. awfn' weary!' he said; "I hope the denner is ready?" "Yes, quite ready, uncle," she returned, darting a curioue look beyond him at a gentleman who was in the ace of crossing the threshold --a man not much, above mid• 110 height, wrapped in a loose ;later, the, high collar of which alniost ineeting the treveling-cap pulled over his eyes, effeotu• ally =meal ed Ids face. Ile came forward under the lamp, end turning to him, Mx. Craig said with unusual watenth— "I'm vara glad to too yotr mother's son under my roof. This 1s ns Itieee—I was near saying my daughter --Mies Craig." The stranger threw bank lits coat and took off hie Cap. AS he bowed, the strong light fell upon 11101, and Mona found her- self fact to feet with Leslie Waring, great- ly changed alta looking years older, but Atilt unmietakebly Leslie Waring. leer a mcttietlt or two Montt felt Blind and dine. so area, So 810111011 WAS her sur- e 11110 10 150 your 510(6, 11r. l''nriex." "Nelly den't you ronlre oil fur a hit. It is a sort of life you 5vunel like, 1 think." "Eh, but IIP 1111s iii, work cut not for hint here:" vele.1 l and1• Scwdy. "he'll find it hest 10,11111 wi' 'ne 'ion, ten me how 1110117 head o' eat tie barn ye forby-e lenne5?n Alia the three own plunged into tally, from w111r t, 11,e,') » 1a.:1,•,L 0.0 \Crn'l11'f had invested 111111011 all the: capital lea, him 111 ,, t —after )1111011)1111011 wed rain Iea„11.e nand fool- ish speculation—in a ranch near the fam- ous r, r11 1 ads on the I' 1.dfle mete and time as yet 1e had realized u0l vwry little, though his hopes were digit, and Ile bad e1Id01111y th row n himself enel'getic:ally into the undertaking. She kept silence gladly. Waring's presence --hit steady composure, his quiet submission to the inevitable—touched ber deeply, She longed to ray out— "Ihave you forgiven me? Con I atone for the pain I inflicted?" But =et probably he hurl nearly forgot- ten that be once loved her. and hoped to pass ids life with her. She panted to be alone, to disentangle her thoughts—to master the disturbance of her mind. As they seemed so absorbed le converse» tion, Mona thought she might slip away unobserved; but her uncle noticed her movement,. "Bide a til, my lassie!" he cried. "We • have sat here lane; enough; we'll a' come wri' ye to life drnwiltg-room. Yon s11a11 sing ne a sang, and then I'll gang awe' to illy beet, My niece sings flue, lir, War- ing," he added, as he took lfoua's arm. "I know that, Mr. Craig," War- ing, opening the door for them to pass through; "I remember her songs well." Mona felt that she blushed crimson, while she said, in a lots tone, to her uncle— "I have scarcely any voice to-night—do ant ask me to sink" "lime foot, my dearie! you'll please us 511601." Manna etoett a moment irresolute after Uncle Sandy had tumbled into the depths of his chair. Waring canto to herside, and looking kindly, and perhaps a little sadly, into ber eyes, said— "Don't refuse, Miss Craig! You don't know what a treat the music of awoman's voice is to an exile like .nmyself, especially es in a few days I shall go back to the wilds again." 'Ten I will do my best," returned Mona, simply, and she went to the piano, The song she choose was a pretty, quaint German ditty she had learned while abroad —for she did not wish to revive painful re- collections by singing anything that might be familiar to Waring. Ho moved away, and sat in deepest thought while ho listen- ed. "Aweel, that's not ane ce my favorites, C am not much of a musician—my oppor- tunities hare been scant -but I have an nmcommon mule ear," said Uncle Sandy. "Give us a Scotch sans, my define!' "If I am not presuming too far," said Waring, coming over to lean on the piano, "Might I ask for au old favorite—'Robin Adair?' " "Ay, that will do," from Uncle Sandy. "I need not Have been so careful to spare his feelings," thought Mona. "I am mak- ing a fool of myself. It Is an age since I attempted it." she said aloud; "but I will try it if yon like." It was dreadeully annoying, but she could not steady her voice. She could not keepa certain tremulous pathos out of her P notes. Men were so conceited—they hadd such a high opinion of themselves, that perhaps Leslie Waring would fancy, as she was so upset at meeting him, that she regretted having rejected him, Ah, no; he was too frank and honest, too simple and unselflsb, to need the guarded treat- ment Lisle required. Lisle! why, he was not comparable to Leslie Waring. What wonders time and trouble haddone for the latter! Thank yon," said Waring,' from his chair in a shadowy corner, where he had retreated when she began the song ho bad asked for. "That was an immense treat," "Ay, there's nae masic like Scotch music, nor is there any songs for melody are poetry, an' spirit, an'—an' historical value, like Scotch tangs," said Uncle Sandy. ',I believe the Irish claim 'Robin Adair' as their own," said !lone. "Claim it! I daur :lay they do," seed Unole Sandy, contemptuously. "They'd nye claim everything; but if that lilt isna 3eotah, aweal, 1011(1105001011. Conte, give me your arta, Mona, I'll just gum; to my bed, Pm =fn' weary." "'Then may be Mr. Waring 1001111 like a smoke win lr mein the kitchen. 1 think wo will have h all to onrselvcsen a few min- utes," said Kenneth. "'1'hanit you, Ishoeld, One grows a lit- tle too fond of the weed when one is freed from the restraints of society." ".it's a very perueecions praeticc; but it's just talking to the wines to prote•:t !against It. Good -night, sirs. Kenneth, there are the keys. Mr, Waring will need a drappio after his pipe." "Good-ulght," nmrm'Zred Mona, as she gave her arm M her uncle. Waring bowed, but did not attetnpt to Shake hantle with her. It was an infinite relief to be alone, and locked into her own roost. For n long time she thought confusedly, or rather a confused muss of mixed memory and thought thronged her brain, without any effort of her will. How vividly Waring's face, pale with painful emotion, the day they last met, came back to her. He had quite forgiven her; she felt that. no was a really good fellow, She wished they could be friends again, as she was with Kenneth; but tbat would never bo, she feared, Sho never could feel at ease with him, He looked as if he had suffered a good deal. Was it her fault? Oh, not she never couldadrnit that. She eheuld like to let flim know that she had generally n very good opinion of him, but hos should site tinct time to do so, when ho bad said more than once that he would only staya couple of days? What a curious contradictory jumble life was at together! Mona felt mta0cottntably nn• happy, and, laying her fair head on the pillow, she wept long and quietly before sleep closed her ;vet eyes. 01TA1Trit xxlV.-0A1s 5110005110. Morning brought renewed spirit ani fresh courage. Mona could not help smiting at the sin galar eombination of ch1unwtaneos whict brought her once more face to face will rite 131an'v11na0 uvlfe 5710 had sa riearly It was foolish to feel so uneoufortabl, about meeting him. As 110 was perfectll unetebarrelseed, elle WAN 10.50170 to Inti tate ills cOtnoosere, end trent him hitt :: en111y cordiality He (eseryen0onsuler- atlun at her hand8, fur he had behaved to her wall clavalroue forbearance, Still, she dill but hive her ream quite so early at she n+11011y hill, She was deterin- tned to ('nn no unoeees1ary risk of a tete-a. tete interview. Poch. Sandy anti 1 ,'llnt'th were already 0 lu the dining•roum when she entered, and went through the: ceremony of 1001141115 the ten beton her uuele begun the long, "t rambling, extemporary prayer with which 1 D e always opened the clay. They hashard-rd - I T r I7 risen front their knees, vhoa Waring (V in.ill whaled t Uta 1lar •' mune mai 1 1 he the party g 1 1 n, 1 C't` 1 hope you rested weel?" said koala . �.l +Indy. W "1 leas extremely comfortable, int I cp dreamed furiously," he replied. "I ecenlsd to have lived over my whole life since we cei, parted Inst night. 7 hope the strain of Scetehb]oodinmyveins has not developed • a tendency to second sight, now that 1 am in my mother's native land, for I have had 1 quite awful warnings in ply visions, Some ; CD 0 (^W (D ♦MIIV • it it CD 0 1• 0 PD �.1 0 0 "Shalt 1' gree gnu tea or coffee, liar. War- ing?" aslwcl,1L'mw., disaster !tangs over me. However, that is nothing new, and I suppose I shall live through malty more before I have dont with things." "Shall I give you tea or coffee, Mr. War Mg?" asked Mona. 'Coffee, please." He turned toward her, and sudden].) meoting her eyes, the color rose in hit brown cheek. "Were your dreams in the morning?' she made haste to ask, anxious to bide hes owns confusion by speaking. "Yes! It was daylight when Iwoke iron the last and worst." "Then be of good courage. The evil is your dreams will prove good in disguise. and you will got your wish." "Thank you: I accept the omen fro= your lips." ' "Are ye no for parritah?" asked Uncle Sandy. "It's varra wholesome and strength 'min',' "Thane you, no. This hare pie is excel: lent." "I wish Mary Black were hero," observes Mona to Kenneth, . "She is a little witch for reading dreams and telling fortunes!" "Ay, she's a witch! That is fery true, Mona." "Uncle!" cried Mona, "may I ask Mary Black to come and stay here again? Ihave not seen a female face for months." "Yes; you can ask her. She Is vans welcome. It's a nice blithe lassie," ex- plained xplanned Mr. Craig to Waring, "and sings as sweet a lilt as you'd hear anywhere." "Sorry I have so little chance of seeing her, sir. My time grows short," "Hoot, toot, monl You can staytill next week." "1 am afraid I am too unfortunate to be able to accept your kind hospitality. nave business In London, and I want to take the Cunard boat on the 11th." "1 (Anna like to let you go. We'll talk aboot it, you an' me! Kenneth, is it going to be fine the day?" "I think there will be showers," "You may be tolerably sure of that, Ken- neth," enneth," said Mona. "I want to tel' lirr. Waring round the place, and let him have a glint at Strath. airlie," "Strathairlie?" repeated Waring. "Ilad not Finistoun shooting hereabouts?" "He has a deer invest —a great stretch 01 mu'oeininted land, wham huteiredsof hon• est sheep ocgnt to be gratzing', lestead of its beim, a pinvr;ronnd for a Mettle 0' reek - less nobly:,,' quoth Uncle S,tndy, Wat'11::C, ho71'e\'el', was loo much 0ee1)' Hied hili ht' oa'n th011419113 heed him, "'1)11 't Filik101111 marry one of the Seer,trd's?" he aslt' I --"a very pro4'.ygirl!' "Weal, she is: a bonnie wee wife," said Uncle Sastly; "and, though she is a bit feckless, 1 inane object to her coming to Seo .Mono. Bat they are a cartel, stiff, up- sottin' fam'ly l It was wecl for Mona she forma a grate, kind uncle to tak' her in 11110)1 you 11v,'r ar11 folk pit her clot!" Waring !_lemcedsharply at Mona, who reamed with vexation, and said, haughti- ly— "It IS not necessary to trouble Mr. Wine ing with our family quarrels," "What's wraug wi' ye?" askeelher uncle in some surprise. "You have eapitalsport about here, Istip. pose?" said Waring, as if anxious to °bang° . the subject. "Yes—rod or gun, it's all the same. You cam fish or shoot the livelong dayl" cried Kenneth, enthusiastically. "Sir St. John Lisle said he never saw birds more abun- dant." "Lisle?" repeated Waring, quickly, ad- dressing Mona. "I thought bo wee in In - dial" "He returned on the death of'a relation, whom he succeeded," answered Mona, briefly, There was aslrortpause. Then Kenneth proposed that he should Hake Mr. Waring for a round of the place, and along the road toward the Lodge, before dinner; and that atter it uncle should show his guest the garden, the farm -yard, and the stables. They were still discuss lug their plans when Mona roto to visit Mende, and hold high counsel anent dinner. She felt it a roliof to escape WVaring's eyes, though he rarely leaked al, her; and !tie voice, which bad In it, to her fancy, a tinge of melan- choly, that filled ber with self-reproach. So, having completed ler Welk down -stairs, she went to her own tom. 'Then, finding eget the welkin* i;rl wandeandfroaensd races inn c6aseu, 5110 cOnantucll tn01560155=