Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-28
Won by w aiting.
\ BY =
EDNA LYALL.


pose. What on earth does he writ,
about? Read me the letter, my dear
never could endure a Frenchmani
handwriting"
This must be from Monsieur d,
Mabillon's son." said Cornelia, CLAN
cling down the sheet. Well yol
shall hear it, and with sufficient
fuency, but bad pronunciation, she
read Gaspard's letter.
The dean seemed to be Struggling
with conflicting emotions; he did moi
speak when his daughter ceased read.
ing.
We'll, father, she asked, inquiring-
ly.
They are Amy's children" he said
as if arguing with himself but then
they are De Mabillons This fellow
who writes is thorough De Mabil-
Ion; l could have told it in a mo-
ment
But it is a noble letter, you must
allow, father; SO proud and yet so
courteous, the favor spoken of so
nicely, though one can see it was an
effort, and then that allusion to his
mother in such perfect taste!"
The dean was decidedly influenced
by his daughters words; his brow re-
Taxed little as he asked Then how
am | to help them?"
Corelnia thought for a minute.
Could you get the boy some stu
alton? That is evidently what he
hopes for"
Difficult, very; particularly at this
time, sighed the dean. POSSIBLY
Sir Henry might help him to some
| thing, but l could not think of troub-
ling him now, during the session; be-
sides, | hate asking favors"
so does this poor cousin of ours,
APPARENTLY said Cornelia, glancing
again through Gaspard's letter, her
rather severe face softened by pity.
Il would rather help the little girl
in some way" said the dean; she
will be more like her mother; this
fellow, who writes, is so terribly
French. Yes, decidedly, the little
girl must be relieved; he speaks of
her suffering still from the effects of
the SIEGE
AS the dean warmed with his sub
ject, Cornelia's interest visibly de-
clined
"You would not send her to school,
| surely?" she asked, little impatient
| ly.
No, not to a school; | do not APP
prove of a school for girls No, we
will offer her a home here. She is
my own sisters child, and she shall
/ be welcome, though, remember, Cor
nelia, I most strongly disapproved of
your aunt Amy's marriage, most
strongly"
] 'And you were quite right, as
events have proved" replied Corne-
liza, composedly. Her children are
bearing the penalty of her wilfulness.
Shall you write to-day?
Eyes, I suppose it mnst be to-day"
sighed the dean. "These letters cost
me a great deal of trouble, and waste
my time sadly; but l suppose it had
better be written to-day lou will
tell Christabel and Bertha, but save
me any further discussion upon the
subject"
! Cornelia promised that his wishes
should be attended to, and left the
room; whereupon the dean hastily
readjusted his spectacles, tossed
aside the unwelcome letters, and was
soon deeply engrossed in his astro.
nomical labors.
| Cornelia did not judge it prudent
to tell her sisters of the proposed
change in their family till the letter
was written and posted. She was
their fathers most unprecedented
plan. She herself was not wholly
pleased with it, but she would have
scorned any attempt to turn him from
his purpose, and, with her usua
stern sense of duty, resolved to make
the best of it to Christabel and Der
tina.
Christabel Mortlake, the deans
second daughter, had returned to he1
fathers house as widow some
years before. She was, in some sen
ses, the head Of the house, and all tn,
actual housekeeping fell to her share
but Cornelia, who was both cleve
and strong-minded, was the real rul
er. and was fully conscious of he
power. Bertha was many year
younger-a silent, apathetic girl, diff
ering in every way from her eide
sisters.
AS Cornelia had expected, her sur
prising announcement was not yer
we'll received.
Bertha. indeed, made little common
on it, simply looking bored bu
Mrs Mortlake was not so easily sat
S isfed.
A child to live in the house,
d French girl, too! What can my f.
[ Their be thinking Of? It will be il
sufferable. She will teach my poo
little Bella to tell lies: you know no
>; untruthful French people are!"
II think Bella has learned that a.
s complishment already" said Cornell
d who was by no means blind to h,
nieces failings. Besides, as to tina
l, our cousin is no mere child, and WI
4, not be much thrown with Bella 81
Re is sixteen, I believe"
n What is her name?" asked Berth
without looking up from her book.
t, Her brother speaks Of her as E
perance, " said Cornelia; but
s should think very probably, she m;
lie have some second name-Amy, We
er likely, after her mother-and then ,
can call her nv that -