Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-06-09

them, and Claude's wistful gravity al
once returned, while, with no pre-
tense of mock humility, but rather
with the fondness of a parent he ex-
hibited his works.
Two or three of his Rilchester pic
lures, not yet framed, We're standing
on the top OF a low bookcase, and
Gaspard was of course, much inter-
ested in them. One was of the exte-
rior of the cathedral, and Claude took
1t In his hand to place in better
light while he tried to describe the
position of the deanery, But Gaspard
did not heed him-his eyes were
hAed on the picture which had stood
behind and which was now fully re-
vealed. II was unfinished, but not
so as to take away from the effect.
a dusky foreground, just showing a
tattered curtain and moldering wall,
easement window, through which
the moonlight was streaming, and
glimpse of wide plain, glimmering
here and there with the faint bright
ness of light reflected in a watery
marsh Standing by the window, her
hand on the fastening, as If in the
act of closing it, stood Esperance. her
face plainly revealed by the cold
light Of the moon, and full of hope
less misery, while disappointment and
WEAKNESS We're expressed in her list
less, dropping figure.
Gaspard gazed on as if he could
never take his eyes from her face,
and Claude, who had not intended
him to see it at all, was both vexed
and puzzled That he had recognized
his sister was undoubted; he could
hardly fail, then, to know the full ex-
tent of her unhappiness. 1t was GER
tainly a most unluchy accident.
1t was a relief when at length Gas
pard spoke though his depressed
voice was not reassuring.
You painted it at Rilchester.
them"
No; oh, no. l merely got an idea
from your sisters face. made a
sketch of it, and am now working it
up as Mariana in the Moated Grange
/ hope you will not think I took
great liberty. You must allow for the
license of an artist.
DO you tn nix ! mind that for an
instant" said Gaspard. But that
hopeless wretchedness and dejectionl
Has she really come to that? | knew
she must be changed, but that is
surely exaggerated.
Claude would have oivap n ora,t
deal to have been able to answer In
the affirmative. but it was impossible;
nor would he equivocate After a
moments thought, he answered, 81
saw that expression On her face, but
OF course it was not always there: at
times she was quite bright and mer-
ry."
She used to be the merriest child
in all France" sighed Gaspard
He was still looking sadly at the
picture. when the door was opened
by Claude's Child Angel" who an
nounced, with truly cockney pronun-
ciation-"Lady Worthington.
Claude fastened forward to receive
his visitor. and Gaspard, recognizing
the name, and looking up rather GU
riouslv, saw a tall and peculiarly
'"""e'ul woman, middle-aged, vet
still young-looking, her fine, classical
features, bright, humorous eyes, and
ready smile full of attraction, while
her complexion, though a little worn,
retained much OF its bloom.
There was something very fascinat-
ing about her manner, and Gaspard's
opinion of English women was raised
he only stayed for a moment how
ever not sorry for the opportunity OF
escaping, TO indulge in his sad reflec-
tions about Esperance, and to reyolve
impossible schemes for releasing her.
Il feel as if | ought to know that
young Frenchman," said Lady Wor-
Ellington, when Gaspard had left the
room yet can't remember where |
have seen him before"
His name is Gaspard de Mabilon.
and he is a nephew of the Dean Of
Rilchester,' said Claude.
"Of Dean Collinson? De Mabillon?
OH now | remember it all; his father
married poor Amy Collinson. How
terribly one forgets names; | must
have seen this young man years and
years ago, when he was a child, but
of course it is the likeness TO his
father that ] must have recognized.
Is he in London. too?"
"No. he is dead-killed in the siege
Of Paris" replied Claude. Little
Mademoiselle de Mabillon is living
at the deanery. and she told me all
about it,"
How shocking. I had no idea OF
that" exclaimed Lady Worthington.
we had so completely lost sight of
them He was a undetermined man.
and was most uniustly treated by
Dean Collinson. D."
you knew him, then, personality"
asked Claude.
"Yes-slghtly. that is My mother
was very fond OF Amy Collinson and
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