The Project Gutenberg eBook, Mona, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon

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Title: Mona

Author: Mrs. Georgie Sheldon

Release Date: December 23, 2004 [eBook #14425]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

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MONA

Or, The Secret of a Royal Mirror

by

MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON

Author of _Virgie's Inheritance_, _A True Aristocrat_, _Trixy_, _Lost A
Pearle_, _Helen's Victory_, etc.

1891

CHAPTER I.

A FASCINATING YOUNG WIDOW OPENS THE STORY.

"Appleton, don't look quite yet, but there's a woman just behind you whom
I want you to see. I never before saw such a face and figure! They are
simply perfection!"

The above remarks were made by a young man, perhaps thirty years of age,
to his companion, who, evidently, was somewhat his senior.

The two gentlemen were seated at a private table in the dining-room of a
large hotel in Chicago, Illinois, and were themselves both handsome and
distinguished in appearance.

"There!" the speaker continued, as a slight commotion near them indicated
that some one was rising from a table; "she is about to leave the room,
and now is your chance."

The gentleman addressed turned to look as the lady passed; but the moment
she was beyond the possibility of hearing he broke into a laugh of
amusement.

"Oh, Cutler!" he exclaimed; "I never would have believed that you could
rave so over a red-head--you who all your life have held such hair in
detestation!"

"Well," returned Mr. Cutler, flushing guiltily, "I acknowledge that I
have always had a peculiar aversion to red hair; but, truly, hers is an
unusual shade--not a flaming, staring red, but deep and rich. I never saw
anything just like it before. Anyhow, she is a magnificent, specimen of
womanhood. See! what a queenly carriage! what a figure!" and his glance
followed the lady referred to, lingeringly, admiringly.

"Yes, she certainly is a fine-looking woman," his companion admitted;
"and, if I am any judge, the diamonds she wears are worth a small
fortune. Did you notic