Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-20
Won by w aiting.
LBYS
EDNA LYALL.
Continued.

auce had Just taken of her wraps
wien Francess little maid appeared
Miss Neville would be very glad Il
Mademoiselle de Mabillon would come
into the school-room for moment.
"To say goodnight to the children
| suppose; you will not walt Tor me-
Cornelia? | can come down with
Frances ,r,.
Cornelia nodded assent, ana Esper-
ance followed the maid to the schooi-
room. but none of the children were
there, only Frances and CLAUDE Mag
nay, bending over a most loVeiy oas-
ketfuI of ferns and flowers.
Il am so glad you have come early
Frances said. kissing her. Mr.. Mag
nay has been spelling us all ne
walked over to the nursery gardens
thie morning, and brought home the
most beautiful flowers, ana we want
Won 10 wear some OF them
Claude was glad to have II put III
this way. for having spent the morn
ing in securing Rilchester IN search
Of these flowers for Esperance, ne
now hardly liked to offer them.
Her delighted gratitude was very
charming: and Claude colored deeply
as. for moment. her beautiful eyes
met his.
"How kind of you and how lovely
they are," she exclaimed, raptur-
ously. you cant think how much
wanted fower-holly is so prickly.
Frances began TO take the iioWers
from the basket, and Esperanee stfus-
gled to take off her sprigs OF holly
but could not manage 1t with her
gloves on. Claude was delighted NJ
this excuse for helping her, and took
away the sharp leaves and scarlet
berries with unmixed satisfaction,
you must enact Monsieur Worth,
Claude" said Frances. looking up.
Now Esperance, stand still, aud we
shall hear exactly where your flowers
are TO be placed.
She obeyed half laughngly, and
Claude surveyed her in silence, think
ing but little Of the flowers Il must
be confessed She had never looked
prettier than AT that moment, stand
iug in her unadorned white dress,
her lips just parted her eyes smiling
half shyly her cheeks glowing with
rich brown-red color. and the outline
of her shapely little head not at all
yelled by the short, tendril-like curls
which clustered round her neck. and
oyershadowed her low smooth fore
head
Claude was recalled to his duties by
her clear, ringing laugh
1T is as bad a. having ones photo
graph taken" size said. Il am sure
Monsieur Worth does not keep his
ladies SO long.
THE oracle is dumb said Claude,
smiling. Shall We try the effect OF
Christmas roses and maiden hair,
Miss Neyille?'
SO the dress was beautidrd with
the exquisite white flowers and
dropping lady-ferns. and light feath-
cry maiden-hair but Monsieur
Worth" had stipulated that the curls
should be left as they We're. in their
NnAuplutQ bfdul4
Then they went downstairs to the
great drawing which had been
turned ont for the occasion, and
where many Of the guests were AL
ready assembled Lady Worthngton
vas at the door and came into the
hall TO meet them, STOPPING down to-
kiss Esperauce in defiance of custom.
You have come in the character OF
the Christmas rose, she said, glauc-
inc at the happy glowing face you
viii be just in time Tor the first
dance, Claude will take you In to
Mrs Mortlake" Claude assepted,
and led her across the brightly
lighted room to the sofa where Mrs.
Mortiake and CorneHa were seated
aud Esperancc began to tell OF the
surprise that had awaited her in the
sohool-room, and TO show the flowers
oNultingly ConeHa smiled kindly
she was disappointed of the flow
cra at home, but these are far love
Tier she said 10 Claude, while Mrs
Mortlake began abruptly 10 speak to
her next neiEhhor
lie made some triHing response.
and then turned eagerly to Esperauce.
fearful that some one elise might be
before him in asking her TO dance
Curnelia watched her in secret admir-
alton as She was borne swiftly away,
her pure childhkr happiness was de-
lghtlu e sees as they passed the