Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-11-17
Continued.

asked you lot your plOLH'l . "N
dress when / was staying here De-
fore Can you guess at all why /
wrote to him."
He had spoken hesitatlngly, his
color had risen, and he began to wish
most heartily that he had written to
her. How was she to guess from his
laundering speech that he loved her?
Why had he begun with such an I'M
answerable question? Esperance
looked up at him with her grayely-
sweet eyes, her heart was beating
fast, but she saw his embarrassment,
and said, gently, Tell me"
Those two words, and the sweet,
truthful, upward glance gave him
fresh strength; he stood up anu drew
nearer to her, leaning against The
window-frame.
Il wrote TO your brother" he began,
in a low voice because / had favor
to ask him. wrote to ask him if
might come to see you; and this
morning heard from him-he said
/ might"
There was a pause-Es perance's
eyes were cast down now, her cheeks
we're glowing, a little tabby kitten
stole in through the French window
and played about at her feet, but she
did not notice 1t.
"Do you remember" Claude began
again-"d0 you remember that snowy
Christmas eve when you were in the
hall decorating? You thought / did
not recognize you then, but 1t was at
that moment, really, that / first
saw"
He broke of abruptly. Why did
that wretched little kitten distract her
attention just then by sprnging on to
her knee? She took It in her arms
rose from her chair ART came TO the
window Claude stronod the little
intruder in silence, then Esperance
looked up and somehow their eyes
met he knew that she understood
him then, and spoke with sudden con
fldence.
"Esperancel | have no words with
me- but | love you with my whole
heart and sonll Tell me, darling,
could you love me q little too, some
day."
lie had taken her hands IN his, and
could feel them trembling; her color
came and went, but she did not keep
him long in suspense; he knew his
answer by the rapturous light that
d.wned In her eyes, and it was with
his arms round her that she sobbed
ont, oh Claude, now always with
AL the love ! haye,"
Either the kitten was endowed in
he highest degree with tact, or else
she saw bird In the garden, for
wncn Claude began to speak she sud
denly scrambled down and ran away
The lovers were left undisturbed for
ut least an hour then the cathedral
bells began 10 ring for afternoon SER
vice, and Claude rose to go, promls-
ing to call and see the dean after
ward, Esperance went up TO her
room feeling as If 1t were all won
derful dream, and glad to have some
thing tangible in the shape of Gas
pards letter OF congratulation TO as
sure her that this great. awo-inspir- |
ing joy was real and lasting She was
Bltu u bt dlOut lpG 4 lew minutes, /
then. hearing Cornclia pass along the
gallery, she opened her door and
called tlmidly
Cornc'a came with inquiry in her
eyes, but one glance at Esperance
told her all.
so Claude Magnay has been here,
she said quietly.
eyes. he has been here a long time.
said Espcranca. looking down. And
and l have something to tell you. dear
he has asked mo 10 be his Wife
She had hals hid her face on her
cousins shoulder as she said this.
them treasured by Coruelia's embrace.
she went ON more eagerly:
And he loves me. Cornelia, ne has
loved me. he SAYS. ever since Christ
mas. II seems SO strange. SD wonder
fun He says / shall sit with him In
his studio while he paints. ana We
shall have q dear uttle coy house
think or having "a house of ones ,e,v