HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1889-2-8, Page 7Feb. 6, 158. 'THE BHU aSELS POST
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.M O N A'S CH a' ICE.
Be ]YTI18. ALISXANDj1l1,
pace) "f.••'; ri,:n,e „:,Il+l seal lend ct at.
unela to r. ,r, i•• t' : 1 e 1 1t.itelrt.raY-
els, 1 1• 000 00.0 f,t;l 11401;i1,,
lit, 11'.; lier r":,t , 1 when np.
prom:tam. .1 . f,.ui t -•p- titer; lea her, tun! War -
int - cams into the room, anal closed the
door bellied hill!.
'•1 t'luneht yea had gene out with Ken-
neth ,mkt Melia, he lag tl<:wn her duster,
with I* curious feeling or being caught,
"We. e. were just starting when one of your
unn e s !enema mune to sneak to him, and
Mr. Mcwalister's presence was needed in
what they etdled 'the museum.'"
Mona smiled,
"Yon havo not seen our museum yet?"
"No," returned Waring, and there was a
pause.
Ile stood looking at the are, and she hes-
'toted what to say next,
"I am glad to have this chance of speak-
ing,"
peaking," resumed Waring, suddenly, ant
looking full at her, a kind expression Mille
nl
h
adaomeeoEt re n
brow 1 yes, for T want
to explain that I would not havo intruded
on you had I had the least idea who the
niece was about whom Mr. Craig spoke
with such. very justifiable pride. I am
afraid that -that ' cannot bo it very wet
come );nest to you!"
Mona murmured a polite denial,
"If you would let mo speak frankly fa
you, 1 should be so glad. I don't want tc
say anything that would displease you,"
Ino colored alightly, but his eyes laughed
"Ob! I am sure you would not!" cele!
Mena, "les! say anything you like."
, She felt herself again.
"Thank you. Well, I am very glad t,
see you, and awfully glad you have fount
a frleud in old Craig. Ile es a character -
,excuse me for speaking so unceremonious
"Cf course! Ire really is very good t,
'me, and I am fond of him, as I ought t)
be! But itis not very lively at Cralgdar
;rock in the winter! Now, Mr. Waring,'
; corning over end'standfug by the fire -place
{her hands clasped and dropped easily be
jfore her, "I am ver!/ pleased to see yon
/again, and shall be so glad to be friends-
nqttite good friends -again."
. Sho smiled and blushed charmingly as
she spoke,
"So shall 1," very shortly. "Do you
;know I have thought and tormented my-
jself a great deal about you, 011, Hol -not
.as I used, I mean; because I did not know
:what h d
a boa a of om you. I knew you did
mot stay with t
on vi heEverarda. Iamafraid
:they did not behave very well."
"I fear I deserved their displeasure."
"7 don't think yon did. How is Madame
Debrisay?"
"Very well indeed, and no longer Mad.
.ame Debrisay. She is married to General
Fielden. I fancy you know him -an old
artillery officer."
No! Is it possible? I remember old
,Fielden. It 1vi11 be very nice for him to
Maya such a capital woman to jog on with
ifor the rest'bf the road. I always liked
"Well, she returned the compliments."
el am afraid she would notbavethought
.much of me if our acquaintance bad con.
:tinned. I was very 'weak and reckless."
Ile looked steadily at her as he said this.
"I have heard sometbieg of tbe kind;'
murmured Mona, unclasping her hands,
:and putting back her bale with a pretty, i
!troubled gesture, as aha generally did
when in any little difficulty. "And -and
i(wo are to speak freely, you know) I wan
infinitely distressed. I feared I might it
some measure-"
"No, Dol" he interrupted. "I see what
;you mean, It is the thought of a kind
•heart; but you are in no way responsible
i1 ought to have been man enough to d<
'right for right's sake. No one is to blame
'but myself. I let that passion for gaming ,
;which I confessed to you once," he sighed '
,quickly, "quite overmaster me; in fact, i'
was a bad bit of my life just before that
day I stet you In Kensington High Street
walking with young Macalister. Then '
had a severe attack of fever. I was all Mr
gond. If I had been et any value to any
one, I should.. vo died, no doubt. Alta
that I came to my tight mind, and detente
.cued t0 do what 1 could with the remain
of my fortune. In so doing I lost more
.Then I fell in with 111v present partner
and threw its my lot with his. The life it
•.boahby 1)11(1 rather emits me. I shall r:ticl
Ito it, and, perhaps, make something of it
-Do you know, it quite cheers me up to fee
ince, ,' mai no matt a ntn you, at ally rate
for tau few hours 1 shall =main; and even
afar, tirons:it pr. ascots", we uluy nceer
n: L.1.'!'), you'll';ive me alth111Omagh!,
au. a genet wish sometimes."
'•1 u lw0 11 thott Lr ndly of yon," said 1
Mona, na Outly, wl to elle , t i e fel the tears in ,
her eyes. "You I1 ervesosmithfrontmel
Yes, it 1s very nits to be good friends; and
yon must tell 1110 all about your lire in the
lvil,la,"
"I beg your pardon!" Dried Kenneth,
bursting into the room; "but I could not
got away before. Come, we have lost too
much bale already,"
"Would your 0011sin 001110 with us?"
askocl Waring. "If she eau walk so far,
It is a fine morning. What do you, say,
Miss Craig."
"I should like to come very much," said
`Mona, frankly. She felt delightedly at
home and at ease once more, "I mast ask
Uncle Seedy if he can spare me; and I can
turn, back when I havo -gond far enough, so
as not to impede your progrees."
She went swiftly tawny to seek her un01e,
- Waring walked to the window, and stood
with foldielarnns in deepest thought, quite
oblivious that Kenneth was talking to him.
But Montt soon returned to announce
that she had permission to absent herself,
end in a few minutes the trio were climb-
ing the hill -side to gain. the upper road by
it short out,
13 8 11 if ,1 8 i *
It was a vot'y delightful ex-poditioh.
Waring said the scenery stfipassod all he
had ever seen befgre for beauty, though he
might have met with greener views. They
'foundendless slibjeets for conversation,
end when Mona peoposed to leave them,
both gentlemen decided that 'they would
meturn With her, as it would be impolite
not to =turn in time for dinner,
Mona was sirprieod at her owls light
heartedness, at the delightful souse of her -
molly. which soothed
air-•mouywhichsoothed her^spirit after her
short OOnfidontial talk with Waring. Irow
generous he was In exonerating her from A
+ill blamer flow glad she wag to be on
frank, friondly terms with him! It was
evitlene be had quite got oven• his 0hlfancy
ear her, Sothey could enffiv eat, other's
society w1(11 perfect Hctfety for the little
time he was t i h them. Alas! that Ib was
so abort. AVM., ••t le -morrow tape heed
of itself, she e.,rt 1 . aj0y to -day.
And it wen ,) 1v-tooquickly. War-
ing wee shown •r •Pring about the place
by Uncle Stuns! I i s lf, lvho generally
bestowed a degree of n1)1110(11 and favor
on his guest 511011 as Mona had never aeon
beotdwell on a111' other vie' Then, in
the evening, Waring noosed never tired
of her sones-ex0uslfg bis fregel ..t de-
mands 011 015 eoore of hiospeedydeparture
to 41101131 where the ditties of a cowboy, or
the crack of hie whip, were all the music
he would hear.
Then came the inevitable hour of part-
ing:
Waring bad still some business to settle
in Glasgow respecting the small sum he
had Inherited, Had after a few days there
be had ! vlglt London, finally embarking
at Liverpool,
Mona could hardly steady bee voice to
bid hint goodbye. 1t seemed too cruel
that he should be expatriated merely for a
little -not a little -imprudence; and, say'
what he might, Mona could not but per-
ceive diet 1
e a had s 111 married him he would
never have committed the faulty and follies
whieh bad changed his life.
Waring himself wits quite calm and
cheerful, He promised Uncle Sandy to
write occasionally. IIe begged Kenneth
t' i
to come and pay him a visit whenever it
emeld be mammal; 415 ); and hr> lookal for au
instant, ianaly and gravely, into Mona's
eyes, holding her baud to n painfully tight
grasp; then he mounted the phaeton in
which Kennon) was already seated, and
they drove off.
"Noo they aro awe'," said Uncle Sandy,
as he hobbled toward the library, followed
by his niece, "we'll have yesterday's paper
till the new ane comes. I read vm'ralittle."
Mona made no reply; she would have
given anything for halt an hour's private
thought, and the relief of tours, but this
need roust be concealed at any cost.
"Ela," continued her uncle, falling into
his chair, "yon'( an uncommon tine young
man. You see hole the Scotch bluid tells
in biro. Ile was awfu' fulis11 an' led away
for n bit, but he has C01130 a' right, like a
1 bravo abasia and ho has his mother's oyeo,"
"Then the late Mrs. Wering must hay
had very fine eyes," said Mona, rousing
herself to speak cheerfully.
"8y, sue nae that -ane ban 1e111. il'rone
a' young Leslie. (I movie bide hie utter
name) -from a' he tells me, I'll thinking
he'll do weel oot yonder. It's a rough life,
hue it's honest and bealthfu', and he'll get
affair geed Dot o't than lie'd and among a
pack o' proud,upsetting `tl1sfull
tn Iles
in
London." Thon with v, groan, ''Eh, but
my limbs are bad the day, Noo, ivyde0rie,
just look at the cies article, an' after that,
there's something aboot the colonies Iwant
to hear."
So Mona put away the strange, passion-
ate regret Willett had overlvboimod her,
and read steadily for more than an hour,
by which time she was completely herself.
Then Uncle Sanely wished for a walk, and
took her atm, pottering about till nearly
Menthe time, and still Kenneth Uhl not re-
' turn.
"I wonder what keeps the lad," said
Mr. Craig. "Ile isn't often so long on the
road; an' I begin to want my cleaner."
"We need not watt for him."
"Naw, but it wants stair than half an
hour yet Io the tame. I'll tak' a cup o'
milk wi' a Map o' whiskyintllt, justtostop
the craving."
This refreshment administered, the old
man took up the paper himself, and began
to study the state of the funds. He was
perfectly well able to read to himself, but
his nieaots soft voice anti clear enunciation
were luxuries to which he considered him-
self entitled, and Uncle Sandy was not the
man to forego a hair's-breadth of his
rights. Over the "price current," how-
ever, he loved to linger, and judge for
himself, after Montt had skimmed it for
him,
, Mona went to put some fresh flowers in
the drawing -room, She, too, was anxious
for leenueth's return; she hoped (as ho was
to call at the postoffice) that bo would
bring her a letter from Mary accepting the
invitation she had been permitted to seed.
She had grown fond of the gentle Highland
lassie, and she greatly appreciated the
companionship of an intelligent girl.
Mona resolutely diree ed her thoughts to
some little plans of work and practice to
bo shared by Mary, when the distluntsound
of approaching wheels caught her ear,
and, going to the window, she saw the
Phaeton crawling slowly 11pthe ete011 road,
Kenugth held the reins; bit, conld she be-
lieve her eyes, 'Waring was agate beside
him! 'Mat hurl happened? --1t0 could not
havo missal his titin! Tltey had started
in abundant time, Waring was leaning
back in a languid manner quite unusual.
"Uncle Sanely! she Dried, attuning into
the library; 'here re is Mr. Waring returning
with Kenneth,"
"Yo don't say sot" cried Mr. Craig, catch-
ing up both sticks, which always stood in
the corner beside hie chair, aucl moving
with unusual rapidity to the front door --
"What's that for?"
Mona fol" need, her beget beating fest
They both reached tiro steps ail Kenneth
pulled up, 0
"Where's the gardener!" he cried, as ho
threw the reins on rho back of the old horse
and sprang clown, "Mr, Waning has met
with a bad accident, and can scarce got out
alone."
"Gond preserve usl whathashappened?"
erica Mr. Craig. Min - rim and ea' Bob-
bie; he's back frae his dinner!"
Mona sped swiftly to'tho garden without
a word, '
"It's a stupid bushteee," said Waring,
cheerfully, but in a faint velem: "I am
afraid 1 shall bo on your Bands for some
time. ittaealister will toll you•allabout it.
1vIy right arm is broken."
Ilene the gardener COMO rn.ui'lieg up,
followed by Mona at a less rapid pace.
"Here!" exclaimed I3enueth, "go to lits
left, Robbie; put your 110111 011 1115 shoul-
der, 'Waring. I'lt help you on 1110111 side."
"I think 1; eau get out well enough iny-
self."
1 feel awfully fashioned of myself for
givlug all tale trouble," said Waring, 1)111
eyes seating on Mona's 100 ft m0m0nt with
s deprecating glance,
Shp,
seem. .l71 pale fromm the sl
t
the 1):ad 1'OOe100111 went noiselessly )tint
brought the 101110 by the time the littl0
precentor* had rea0lted Waring's room,
which the housemold had not yet disman-
tled.
She poured out a glassful, and pieced
It 1n his left hand, whin!, us 111,0 saw It
trembled eery much, she eteadted with her
own.
7 fear you are suffering," she said, soft-
ly.
"011. Of course I am in pain, but there is
netbing serious tomntter•only I fear 7
must be a nuisance for some time."
"It canna' ho 1)0(511. Hoo, nay Marne,"
said Uncle Sandy, with unusual tender-
ness, "and you are right welcome to my
hoose,"
'IIe must get to bed!" Dried Kenneth,
with authority, "That's the doctor's or-
der. He must be kept Tory quiet, to avoid
Lever. Mona, will you see that the things
are tattoo out of the phaeton; and the let-
ters, Monza"
e
'Phis clone, there was nothing for it but
to wait till Kenneth was at liberty to ex-
plain the cause of the accident.
Meantime f t e oho found a letter from Mary,
evidently written in high glee, accepting
Mr. Craig's invitation, and promising to be
with her friends the following week.
"Neo, tell us a' aboot it, lbennothl" cried
Uncle Sandy, Nebel) they atiengtb returned
to the Bluing -room, after seeing Waring
made comfortable,
"Web, you see, 100 were In plenty time,
and when we found the ticket -clerk was
not there, we went into the yard to look at
some horses that were waiting for a box
that was coming from Glasgow -for War-
ing is very keen about horses -and pres-
ently up comes Tullooh the grocer's big
curt with some Heavy boxes, and that
wicked black tnarc of his in the shafts.
The driver left the cart at the far side of
the yard. Whether anything frightened
the beast or no, I cannot tell, but all of a
sudden it started off toward the gate,kick-
ing and squeahpg. There was a decent -
like woman and a bairn standing Omit,
e and the bairn had got in the way. There
was a scream that it would be killed.
Waring made a dash fpr the •chind, and
just threw it to the mother; but aomehow
in doing so he fell, and,got a kink from the
mare on the shoulder, "while the wheel .
went over his arm. Ho was insensible for.
a few minutes. Then we got a bench and
carried him to the doctor's who, by good
luck was at home ome while
s w e
He was '
setting it, for it's a bad break; but he says
it was a mercy he was so far from the
beast's hoof, or the shoulder would have
been splashed, which would be a much
more serious matter. As itis, it's a nasty
bruise. Waring seemed chiefly put out
about missing his passage, but I promised
to write to his partner for him."
d;:
It was varra unlucky," said Uncle San- I
"And there's his dream come out," ob-
served Kenneth.
")chi bold yer havers aboot dreams, an'
sic like fele-talk!" cried Uncle Sandy, con-
temptuously.
"We11, may be it is; but I hoard bine
mutter to hitnself something about 'his
fate,' and he is not a superstitious High- j
lender,"
"Doctor Donaldson did not think his in !
juries dangerous?" asked Mona.
"011, not Specially if ho did not get fev-'
erisb. He's coming over to see him this
evening. I'll just have the big easy-ohair
In his room to -night, and doze a bit in it,
But 1v11,en he tried to move, ;Mann easy
that 115 evinced and grew white. It was
with great caro and slowly that they Innen
aged to get him into the house, Then it
could bo seen that his right man was bound
up, and that his coat sleeve had boon eat
open.
''Ile bad best go to his room at one,"
aid Kenneth. "I have the doctor'8 clir0))-
tions; and therro's composing medicine and
w11at not in the trop. Como along, 'Pile -
Info," to t110 00ek, who had hurried to rho,
80010 of action; "and, tithe, 101113, memo
wibe."
x11" sseas-atsaaa'
Wasenp7aade a dash for the child.
in ease he Vaults anything,"
"Ay, 'twill be better so. If he could get
n gudo ]ting sleep, it would bo the malting o
o' him."
It was n curious, disturbed, uneasy day. o
Thuile SandyWas 1 and u especially restless a l o
time went at once quickly and down,. h
Mona felt she could not settle to anything, s
and all waited eagerly for the doctor, who
was later than they expected.
IIe protrauncod the patient to be doing
well; but much depended on itis getting 1
rest; and lie Anally sat down cheerfully to 1
supper, and enjoyed a long "crack" with
Uncle Sandy afterward.
The next fele days were each arepetition
of the other. Mona felt herself very use-
less. A11 she could do Was to lighten the 0
labors of the cook by instructing the h
house -maid to do a good deal In the ktteh- m
en. 0
The doctor canto daily, and Kenneth was p
quite devoted to the suffererlvhen he was
indoors, At length the monotony was ar
broken by the arrival of Mary Black, whose
interest and excitement at the news which a
awaited her was considerable. d
"I hope I am not in the way, Moua, door? g
Why did you not put me cif?" e
"You will be of the greatest assistance, p
Mary. Toonorrow Mr. BJariug le to be a1- d
lowed to move into the drawing -room.
The swolliug rend'iudammation its his lo
shoulder is almost gone; and Doctor Don-
aids= says that, although he is to be kept 11
quiet, ho is not to be allowed to mope, so is
you roust help to amu80 him." t
"Is it mel Ah, !Menai I aouldnotamuso en
a fine London gentleman." p
"Fleet Poor Mr. Waring! In his most
prosperous days ho never had anything w
Mee about htm, It iswonderfulhowme h
an invalid incenses tbe work in a house;
anc17 shall be very grateful to volt if yen
can do some of the reading to linele Sall-
y,
The fret time that 'Wal'ingleft his awn. li
room Lor tbo drawl11g-roem Was a great C
event. re
Ile looked pale end languid, and Ids eyes t
seemed unusually large. Mona and Mary q
bad placed neeld 13 and plaids o11(he safe, "1
and were ready t�, welcome hint whoa ho o'
tafne Jn, tttatnng nn lletuie1n6 111 at,
"Su glad to .the you able to get abo
(gale," murmured Mona, plae1ug a 111110
to support lite back, and another under h
head.
"OTlaenk you!" he said. "7t 18 a1m0
worth while being smashed up to be pert)
aud made numb u'f. itis a new and d
llghtfui sensation for me."
"You will boon be quite independent
us alb Let me fntreduee Miss Black
you-rny one great friend. She is qui
ready to assist in the process of spoilt(
you.,'
Where is Uncle Sandy?" asked Ku
Hath.
In the garden, 7 think. He 11114 a di
oto with theabout
gardener s
pg oru.pnragu
and he has found some passage Ina book o
the 'Kitchen Garden,' which ho think
will annihilate Bobbie Sanders,"
"Suppose we go and 'Indiana," said Ken
• "nea,liti, "11,11 ) 11011,„) 11 rona 1N.�. att
at ' had, and bow mural the 111011gbiful sub,
w eetpresslon of att unse it bad developed,
• beautified and ennobled
et 'Than the temporary lvenklless of his
d strong frame Appealed to the Warfel' nese of
a•) iter most wonauly beast; there 13110 1111.
doubtedly a friendly sympathy aetwcen
of them Her 01ice never tamper -41 11,1 street,
to so cape -aloe, 11:4 when sit 1,.,,1 or 1,r10)0 to
to Win. tint they were rarely alone *agetll-
g en Mary Iibtok was nut .111311dm111and in 1-'4
[Witham ntteations, and, as lfeonetb ob-
n r,er\•ed, h•,tit ynnng 10112 s vied WWI cock
other 1 110 thonid spoil tale invalid most. C*P-
Pu Mary, however, most of his talk and W.�+
Agook humored chaff wile directed. He F-'
• pralliCl her sang0 loudly, and said but little
e . about Moen's, except now and then en lea
ploring exclamation of "Do go can" "Au-
, other, please, another."
nett]. to Mary, who blushed vividly, au
saying, "If you like," rose and went to an
bar hat.
Kenneth followed her. As lie left ill
room Mono's eyes met those of Waring
'191oy both smiled, and she felt that ilon
nth had been ver
0 11 b confidentialto
y his new
friend in their frequent interviews.
"Now, wbat can I do for you?" esker
Mona, gently. "Tho doctor says that yet
"
ere to be amused, though not excited.
"Ohl if you would lap me in Illysinm
mato me! 1 find I get awfully tlrodhold
ing up a book."
With pleasure! What shall it be? Th
papers?"
"No, a book -any book."
"De you deign to read novels?"
"I have liked some novels."
"We have nothing very new, but here I
a volume of essays Freeman's Essays,
which are more Interesting than men
novels. Perhaps yon have read them?"
"No, never! Would youmindsittingop
p0site to me? T sball •hear you better! D
you know, it seems to me as if some queen
of romance was condescending to comfor
her wounded servant!"
"You were not hounded in my service!'
said Mona. a smile dimpling round he
mouth. "Now, yon must not talk, Mr
Waring."
He bent bis head, and so dlsarrenged his
cushions.
Mona gently replaced them, and began
ber lecture.
S\ t red, apparently with much
• ; Uncle Sandy', however good-hnnlored, E"; °°
d Gild riot admit of any neglect, and always
demanded ate hour or more of Mona's time
a after their early dinner, while she road to
hien the better part of the famous Scots-
mton•, and same portion of the !'!moo week-
] a r
o ilio n winch 1 reached t every Y Lora Ov y Sat-
urday, 80met1mes Waring slept on the
drawing -room softs during this exereiae-
i 10metimea bo came to listen, wllil0 Mary
and Kenneth disappeared; but occasional-
ly the former took her work and sat with
the S11 moa." 7`110 'murmur of theta voices
while thus engaged, with occasional bursts
e of merriment, came through the door of
communication 10 Montt oue afternoon, as
she tolled through 8 heavy leader 011 "muaaa
-
nicipal" government, and presently Nary
put in her heed.
"Mr. Waring says it's so ane and bright,
• he would like a little turn, and I am going cf-
y with him," abs said. "We will be down ped
the drive," i�'�p•�l
_ 'pinna let him do too touch!" cried Un- tW
O Ole sandy, "We will come alongandmoet
you." *
t Waring was now permitted to take ex-
ercise, and was rapidly recovering.
, "What shall S read next?" reeked Mona.
✓ 'enhere is an article on the Souc1au'-"
' "Naw," said her uncle -one of his most
negative "news," which always•seemed to p
Mona as if it could stop a torrent -and he
satin thought fora minute; than he roused �'j
himself.
• I'm thinking," be said, "that Mr. Les- j�.,l.
lie is growing ower -fond of Mary Black, �/
They aro aye at havers wi' ane anither, Cale
0
CD
0
intone!, ,-'cleatinttlly made an obser
on it.
l i proved it; then sho 'herself
became 1 ,,00lied in the charm of style
and idea,'ln,t she read on for seam time
without looking o kine e
u . When she did so
p ,
Wur[ni„'s epos were closed, sad his head
rested against the pillow. Mona thought
he slept and resuming, lestasuddenbreak
might wake him,.reacl a fete sentences in
a carcfal] 'uhilued voice, and then'ceaaed
and sat gulag at him with an expression
of tenderness and compassion of which she
was unaware.
Suddenly Waring opened his eyes and
faxed them on her for a moment, with a
look of pain and sadness -but only for a
moment, the next, he exclaimed -
"You thought ma asleep, but I was
not, I was only dreaming heavenly
dreams."
"That implies sleep," said Mona, shak-
ing her head.
I can repeat tbe two last sentences,"
said Waring, and lie did so. "I like books
better than I did," he continued. "7 used
to bo an awfully stupid chap at school. I
fancy I was exceedingly youthful, not to
say backward, for. my years. Now; you
are tired, you must bo tired; don'tread any
more.'!
"I read much Ionger to Uncle Sandy; but
you must have some jelly now. I will get
it for you."
"Was ever any fellow in such clove!"
exclaimed Waring.
Then she brought it daintily, set forth
on a snowy cloth, and held it for him, 1100
did he eat it up too fast.
"I did not think I should put our new
frienc15)15 to the test so soon," ho said.
"This is not a test," returned Mona,
gravely, "it is only the exercise of ordinary
humanity."
"Then how-" he was beginning, when
Unolo Sandy came in full of pleasure and
congratulations, and Mona left them to-
gether.
r and I am no varra pleased. She'snomatch
for Leslie's: grandson; and yet the lassie
i Is a guid lassie. I wadna see her vexed.
He is a ween -spoken lad forbee-the sort to
> "
n
wt on woman's love. e. Eb, Mona?
"I do not think Mary cares much about
him, uncle. Tastes differ widely, you
I know. As to her being no match for aim,
you must remember that Mr. Waring has
not much in the way of a home to offer,
' His-"
Hoot, toot!" lie interrnptod. "It will
be a fair home enough. Young Leslie is
going to be a successful mon after a bit."
"I am sure I hope so; but 1 chi not think
you need trouble about Mary. As to Mr.
Waring, I clave say he admixes her -she is
very sweet and eharming; but these fancies
do not trouble mon long."
"Ay, the sort o' hempies your a been used
I to, But, my lassie. a real tbouchtflt' mon,
if lave tales hold on his heart, ie grips it
hard and fast, and will ea let go. If young
Leslie has lot himself luvo our Mary, he'll
no leave her behind 111m, Ile doesna come
of the sort that gives hn,"
"Well Ido not think that Mary is in
' love with'him,"
I hope you are right," said her uncle,
• slowly; then, alter a paose, he began to
struggle to his feet, "Coyne," be said, "we
will go and meet them."
"As it is but a short way, uncle, could
you get on 'without lee? I have never an -
steered madame -I meal* Mrs. Fielden's
last letter, and I should like to do so this
afternoon."
So do, my dettrie, so do, I'Il just gang
a bit down tbo road. May be P1lenetKeu-
ueth."
Mona escaped es quickly as she coul'l to
her Own pleasant mum. irool the window
of which she could catch n glimpse of the
sea between two hills, and hnviug hastily
put out her writing materials, she sat
down, loaned her head rn both hands, her
elbows resting on the table, and fell lute 1
profound and painful thought.
Tier uuei< v u•cr cin had 5131 It sly
the 0031110011 f liar' 111011'), and h' -l11,'
mi nitses, root of *11 and mist.):is.
her 11aro) .utoeb,.4,t :: 1\ )*1,111, ?l
11(11 not ,
11'!14001':1„ t.,. bo,,, a. +u. 11 1,.,t 1111...i
CiiA1'TSIf XXV.—A DISCOv8ny.
Uncle Sandy had rarely appeared Wench
advant,t:°e as he did on this oeermion. Les-
lie Weriu, was ass0cinted with eerllaps
the only well -spring of romance that had
ever bubbled up for hire in the somewhat
acid plan of his lite.
To him there were ant two reals great
mon in modern society, they were :1.oerash-
111 & Leslie. -the creators of the lineae
with whioh he was so prilnl t0 kayo been
onnected. To have th • s
vc rn e n
4 ltd it f one
f these potentates under his roof, treatiug
im with kindly respect, aria ntnitiug him -
elf pleasantly at hone, was a trent to Un-
cle Sandy's loyal, 11 rather tough heart.
Waring's character enol bearing too was
calculated to gain upon such a nature as
its haet'e. Society of the higlherorder bed
eft its stamp upon his simple, Imago -tad
manners, and the ready oourago with
lvbichhe tnrued from a ltfo of stere ploas-
ttro to one of hard work, when he had still
enough left to idle on, delighted the sturdy
Id "man of the people," Waring was, to
is idea, a sort of glorified incarnation of
iddle-class merit, the result of plebeian
nergy, Which even conquered and appro.
Mated the graces of good -breeding.
This satisfaction was reflected on all
ound him.
The monthly settlement of housekeeping
ccounts-a crucial test which even Mona
readed--was accomplished without a sin -
le growl. P000 Kenneth's arithmetical
rrors were passed over with a slight ex-
ressio11 of contempt, in• the theta "bhtn-
erin' gowlr," and the contradictions of
Robbie Sanders, the gardener, were oven•-
raked.
To Mona, this was an tmac0ouutably de-
ghtful break in the monotony of her ex-
tence. To bo good friends with Waring,
see thatlu v better o e was a be en and n stronger
an than formerly, tncs0 were aonrees of
wrest pleasure.
'.Chau Ire 10(11 so any reasOnablo, He
orrice. her with 110 expressive 100118 of
words 'width insinuated lover -like feeling.
He liked her to read to him, or to write
for him; but 110 was 118arly ea 10011 pleased !
With the ser31058 of .Miss Black, nearly-. i
of quite; and whenina talkative mood,
B used to describe the !wild beauty of his !
alif0rnian Mario quite eloquently, Ile
ally had more in hint than the at one .
ti could have believed, Ho !tad grown
qt good-looking too (Mona was keenly
Ivo t0 her exter100 advantages), and she
(len tholtgne,as 11e lr,y back 00 the shin
w
at Sat (701432, leaning her )road. on both
hattda.
more than a kindly liking.
Tho revelntien to her was this: If War
ing really loved Mary, or any other evonrab,
how WRs she to endure it? Tho Mere 'dee
d110d her with despair. The terrible eons
victim grew upon her thatshe loved her
Waded lover with all the warmth and
tenderness of her a 1
flue sic ttr
at
urw, not in
any half-hearted way, bet glowingly, cone,
p1et01y. She loved him for the straight,
forward, lancet affeetlon winch made hint
hasten to offer her all he had in her hour
of and, Sho loved him for the delicate
coesid0ration which lied guided him in
their brid engagement, foe the forbearance,
with wind) he hall roloased her, for the
frank 1<indliuess with which he luta offered
her his friehdshlp when sho had refused
Ids love, for the, steed ho had tirade egainat
iris own follies and weakness, for the anew
Mien with which he had coat 3511 lite -arta,
in& of lover to herself, Sho admired and'
loved hie grtiot, unpretending etre ngth, hie
(16 110 cavemen.)
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