Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-01

VIII never rest down here; I will hel;
you"
She lighted a candle, and woult
have offered 10 help her up the
stairs, but Gaspari was before her.
Now, cherie, hold tight round my
[ neck, and you shall feel as If you
were going up the old pigeonnier al
home
Esperance obeyed, and was carried
up stairs in his arms, Cornelia staying
to see her safely into bed.
The next morning dawned brightly
too brightly for poor Esperance. 1t
reminded her of that fatal Goth OF
! November, when the sun had shone
down so cruelty upon their desolation
She was too much worn out now to
feel more than a dull aching pain at
her heart, as she remembered what
day it was, she dressed YEARLY and
went down to the breakfast-room,
with only one idea strongly impressed
on her mind-that for Gaspard's sake
she must keep up.
| AS if in a dream, she went through
the usual routine, walked to the ca
thedral, meeting Gaspard at the door.
stood sat-. and knelt mechanically
through the service. went back to the
deanery, and talked with Gaspard still
dreamily, in Cornelia's room. At
lunch she was pale and quiet: only
when in the afternoon the time for
Gaspard's departure really came, and
the omnibus drove up with his lug
gage, a glow of intense color rose to
her cheeks, and the composure, which
all the morning had been her aid
forsook her. She could hardly see or
stand, but true to her resolution she
struggled on, talking still, though she
could scarcely hear her voice be-
cause of a strange ringing in her
ears.
Gaspard was much more visibly
agitated. He hurried through his
good-byes in the drawing-room, and
came out into the hall where Esper-
ance and Cornelia were waiting, look
ing so haggard and miserable that
Cornelia's heart ached for him.
The sight seemed to give new cour-
with whispered words of hope and
comfort, and soft caresses. He turned
for one moment to Cornelia.
Your promise-you will remem-
ber?"
yes, always" replied Cornelia,
earnestly, pressing bis hand.
Then, with one long embrace, the
hrN hl cic
with bowed head passed down the
steps, and gave directions to the
driver in French.
Esperance with a great effort still
stood at the door; the floor seemed
rocking beneath her, a black mist
was gathering before her eyes, but
she smiled and waved her hand brave
ly Gaspard looked back relieved,
and when the omnibus turned the
corner Of the Wears Court he saw
her standing on the steps still
watching him, while Cornelia had come
forward, too, and was holding her
hand
The sound of the wheels died ovav
in the quiet court, and Cornelia turned
to Esperance, speaking gently.
My dear, you will come upstairs
and rest
But rest had already come to Els
perance, and she sunk back senseless
in Cornelia's arms.
Every one came fiocking out Of the
drawing-room at Cornelia's call, and
gathered round the white, still figure.
with EXPLANATIONS of pity. The dean
was greatly distressed, and bent over
her with more anxiety and earnest
ness than he had ever shown before to
body that was not Heavenly"
Some one should go for a doctor,
surely, my dears, she is very cold,
poor child, poor child! I'm afraid
this has been a grief to her"
my dear father" said Mrs Mort
lake, impatiently, EEshe has only
tainted. French people always do
faint when they think it becoming,
they like to make a scene"
The Miss Lowdells looked on won
deringly, Bertha made plying remarks
, in an undetone to George Palgave,
Cornelia knelt on the ground sup
porting Esperance's head, and look
ing at the faces around her with an
cry impotence.
will no one do anything? Why
do you all stand staring like this;
can't you fetch some water?"
Just then Mrs. Lowdell came down
stairs
"some one fainting? Dear me?
Esperance's hands in a capable sort
of way, which relieved Cornelia.
To be Continued.