Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-21
CHAPTER VIII.
ITO Where Beyond These Voices
There Is Peace"

the bay, in the fierce down pouring
sunlight of July morning, with the
high, blue sky overhead, and drowsy
sultry silence brooding all round it
stood the newly-built hotel of the
fishing village of St. Julien. The
green Venetian blinds were carefully
closed, but the glass doors of the en-
trance were standing open. Not a soul
or sound was stirring about the place.
Presently woman, in the pictur-
esque costume of the Normandy peas
ant carrying a basket of fresh, lus-
cious fruit on her head, strolled past
the lifeless windows Of the new hotel
then came a fisherman in rough, blue
blouse and tapping red cap, then a
tired dog with dusty coat, and then
there was utter stiffness again.
The fishing boats were drawn high
on the beach, for the tide was out; one
or two fisher-lads were mending their
nets in the shade which the stranded
smacks afforded; others, half asleep,
were lying idly on their backs, dream
ing. perhaps, of the toll which would
come to them with the cool of the
summer day.
On the bench, too, sunshade Shield
ing her face, a book on her knees, and
her slender shoulders pressed against
the hot, dry timber of blistered fish
ing boat, sat young and dark-eyed
girl, those beautiful eyes of hers FOL
lowing intently the lines of the page
before her; herself, for the time being,
the heroine of the enhancing story
The dreamy wash of the little glanc-
ing waves, as they broke so listlessly
upon the level shining sands IN the
distance, was in her ears; patches OF
golden sunlight were Bleaching the
pebbles at her feet. She felt, rather
than saw, just then, that the world
round about her was lovely, indeed
By and by clock struck twelve
Starting. the girl closed her book.
1--WE actually been here since ten
o'clock, them she said to herself
"How the time has flown"
She rose and climbed the shingles,
vending her way toward the new
hotel. AS she passed them, the brown
skinned fisher lads gazed after her
with curiosity. She and an elderly
lady, together with their maid, were
the only visitors at present in the sea-
girt village of ST. Julien. The sea
son" did not commence until the mid
die of August, when even Parisians of
late had been known to prefer st.
Julien to Dieppe.
The young girl entered the hotel and
ran up to a large saloon on the first
floor There Lady Penrith lay on a
couch by an open window, the set sea
scented breeze stealing every now and
then through the closed blinds, cool,
subdued light pervading the lofty
room. She seldom went cut herself
during the heat of the midsummer
day.
Has my absence seemed very long
to you, grandmother" Alicia began,
eagerly. I'm so sorry if it has. I've
been reading on the beach, and quite
forgot the time"
1T must have been an interesting
book, Alicia, that could make you for
get me-" said Lady Penrith, almost
playfully.
Alicia knelt down On the mating by
the couch-side and stroked her lady
ship's hand in the old affectionate
way.
1T vast is" she said, softly-"lt
is called Jane Eyre I found it in a
forgotten cupboard at Oldfriars before
we left. and brought it away with me
to read at leisure. Oh grandmother!
what wonderful tale it is. How
deeply, how truly, how nobly poor
Jane loved Rochester! Butt am glad
she is made happy at last.
Her alteration was worthy OF a
noble idol. If | Remembered rightly
that Mr.. Rochester was very bad
man." remarked Lady Penrith.
Eyes. I know" Alicia said her dusky
eyes kindfing; but [ am thinking
more particularly of Jane herself Hel
way of loving is the way l would have
all women love. There was nothing
tickle about Jane Eyre. Her love was
the one, the guiding, the all-sufftcien'
passion of her life. That is as i
should be, grandmother"
MY dear" she said, what can yot
know of such things-you that
Nothing-nothing," interrupted
Alicia, hurriedly. "Ah! grandmother,
she broke off, laying her head upor
Lady Penriths breast, aren't W.
happy here in ST. Julien, you and to
gether.
There was moments silence.
Happier. my darling" came tn
gentle answer then, that [ ever again
thought to be in this world
It was Herman Merryweather VIII
had suggested that they should go t
St Julien for the change of air an
scene recommended by DR.. Dixie
Herman having first, however, secure
for her ladyship the services Of an eS
cellent middle-aged German maid we
yersed in continental languages an
continental ways-who had escorte
them thither, as soon as ever Lad
Penrith was able to travel without di:
comfort.
Moreover, it was Herman Merry
weather who had undertaken TO cleS
Lady Penrith in the eyes of the worl'
the moment her back should be turne
on the old home-or rather the mt
ment he himself could return to it
with regard to the fate of Alicia Leigl
He had cheerfully taken everythin
upon his own broad shoulders-ha
facilitated everything ever,
thing. For had he not sworn lor
ago that he would never desert Il