Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-14
little French accent
"Jean. is il vou?o

rare Deulg. d DlOuu6. lei
delicate regular features, her luxuriant fail
hair, turquoise-blue eyes, and stately figure
forming a tout ensemble so rarely lovely
that looking on her, the thought crossed me
for moment why Guy had not chosen the
step-mother, who was SO much more beauti-
full than his fd7lcee. She sat by Guy as we
drove homeward that soft summer evening,
BERTHE by my side, with one little hand clasp
ing mine, her eyes studying my face and
then straying to Guys and resting there with
perfect contentment.
s'That dear little stationP' BERTHE said. as
we drove away. us it not pretty, Gabriellef
Jean, am English; but this is my first visit
to England. love that little stationP'
II hope you will like England Also" re-
turned, smiling at her eager warmth. She
was a child to me.
'Ah, but certainly; how could Go other
wise?'
The English was almost perfect, here and
there a French idiOm making it piquant and
pretty; her voice too was singularly sweet
and rich. And yet, more than once during
our drive, wished little regretfully that
Gabrielle had been my brothers choice, which
regret made me all the more tender, remorse-
fully so perhaps towards BERTHE.
This is Tredegar, Bertie," Guy said quiet
ly, as we entered the park; and, though hel
eyes met his with a loving light in them, she
did not speak.
When we reached the house, the large
doors were opened, and in the great hall the
servants were waiting. Guy helped OutsMrs.
Leonhardt and myself, and then he lifted out
BERTHE.
do you think you will be happy here,
dearest?' heard him whisper.
',AUec tot, Guyp she whispered, in reply,
prOnouncing his name in the French way.
And then, with her hand still in his, he led
her into the hall where auntie Oracle stood.
Bertie'S lip quiyered little as my aunt took
her in her arms; but she looked round and
smilingly acknowledged the servants saluta-
tons; then Guy drew her away little impa-
tiently, and the library door closed after
them. A few minutes later the dreSsing-bell
rang; there was sound of rustling silken
robes and the gathering of little pointed heels
in the corridors, sweet laughter and women's
voices mingling with mems deeper tones,
then sound of closing doors, and all was
still.
| was dressed, standing talking to my maid,
when a little tap came at my door. Wears
opened it and said, Miss LeOnhardt, ma am;''
anu bCItlG 6llIGIeCl. Die was uICSSGu III SOlIC
leecy black material, the only touch of color
about her being a creamy yellow rose which
nestled near her white throat. Her face
looked little pale, / thought.
JEAN" she said, may go down with
you? 1t is foolish, [ know; but l feel a little
nervous at seeing so many strange faces"
''Of course, DEAR" l answered, smiling;
and we left the dressing-room, which, like
Of hn hpd inf 70 1arcTl
gallery which ran round three sides Of the
house and which was lined with old family
portraits and pictures
''HaVe we time to see One-Only Onew she
said. ''Jean, will you show me your and
Guys mothers picture?"
did so. She looked at it earnestly
''What dear little baby you were, Jean p
was the only remark she made
We descended the broad 'escdHcY dho7l-
neltr," as she called it, and entered the din
ing-room. Our guests as yet We're not numer.
Ous though we generally assembled a house
full to do honor to Guys birthday, which was
in the middle Of July. Three or four pretty
girls, about double that number of eligible
men, Guys c0llege-friends, two or three
pleasant chaperonS-that was all. Mrs. Leon
hardt was already there when we entered.
She stood talking to Guy and young Lord
Oldham, who was a great friend of Guys,
and who took BERTHE in to dinner During
dinner he kept her well amused; and BERTHE
evidently talked well, though she was trifle
nervous. An occasional glance at Guy gen
orally met with a loving one in return; but
neither my brother nor his ttd7lcee was of the
kind who wear their hearts on their sleeves
After dinner Mrs. Leonhardt played some
of Chopin's enhancing music. While she
was playing, the gentlemen entered: but the
silence was unbrOken save for the music.
"How eXquisitep' "What touchP "What
tastep 'Such eXpreSsionn echoed through
the room, amid universal applause.
Il am glad you are pleased she said quiet
ly. 81 love Chopin. My professor was a
pupil of his. But, Jean, will you not play
something's
AS was excusing myself, Guy approach
ed.
perhaps you would sing something, mad
amer" he said. Am | exacting in asking
you for a song?"
She acquiesced. Guy, at the piano, began
the accompaniment of Gounod's ''BerceuSe, u
and she sang it eXquiSitely. Her yOice-a
rich soprano of great purity and compass
had been eXcellently trained. Again the
thought struck me, how had Guy withstood
destinations such as hers? The song ended.
the applause rang forth, and Gabrielle laugh
ngly curtSeyed her Acknowledgements. When
the room was quiet again, Guy began an &C
compartment we were very familiar with.
BERTHE" he said quietly, Il am waiting"
She came to his side, her face flushing a
little.
Don't ask me tonight, Guy she whisp'
cred.
"Why not, mousie? 1t is so long since
heard you sing, mignOnne. l ask YOU"
Very still was the room as she began. Hel
voice rose rich and soft so full of expression,
pathoS, and pain that my eyes filled with
tears. Strongly, with subdued passion II
every note, came the words
For him gave up all,
My people-yea, my God
L loved the very ground
Wherein the Christian trodP
There was minutes dead silence as hel
voice died away: then. before any one spoke
Guy, at the piano, began again, and the spell
! was broken. Again her voice rose, this time
with a triumphant strain, singing Rose
Friquet's song out of Les Dragons de vi
lars, "II-mfdjn1e," the color coming and go
ing in her sweet face. When she finished
the applause could not be checked.
There was no more singing. BERTHE retired
to couch and sat with auntie Oracle. One
by one our guests retired, the ladies to theil
dressing-rooms and midnight condolences, the
men to the tGbGgie, as we called the billiard
room, which was in the bachelors quarter
in the east wing of the house, for last cigal
and game of billiards; Guy, BERTHE, Gabrielle
and still fingered
You look tired, Mrs. Leonhardt," Guy
said, at last. 1T is unreasonable to keep yor
up so late; and BERTHE is half asleep. Dom