Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-15
Continued.

more fond OF her.
One afternoon early in August, Es-
perance was sitting alone in her bed
room, Cornelia being at the cathe-
dral, and the nurse having her tea;
she was now so much better that
there was no reason she should not be
left sometime. This was always the
miserable time of her day, and this
afternoon she was more forlorn than
ever, though she could not have told
the reason. Everything Jared on her
nerves, the cathedral bells seemed
distractingly loud the clock licked
unequally and fidgeted her, and pro-
voking blue-bottle fly buzzed about
the window. She was too weak to
cross the room and try to catch it,
so she lay back in her armchair
YEARLY, watching the tops of the
trees as they waved gently in the
summer wind, and wondering where
Gaspard was, and what he was doing,
while the tears coursed silently down
her cheeks Just as she was feeling
a momentary relief at the last stroke
of the bells, a knock came at her
door, and to her great surprise the
servant announced Lady Worthing
ton" Esperance felt a thrill OF joy
as she looked up, and saw Lady
Worthington sympathetic, unchanged
face. and heard again her low, COM
forting voice.
"My poor child! why how pale and
h11t +bou toll mo Won
are better"
Eyes, | feel better, thank you" said
Esperance. YEARLY.
"But convalescence is always dull
work" said Lady Worthington Il
met Cornelia just now, and she gave
me leave to come and see you: she
tells me you have had a long Illness.
Eyes. it has seemed long" sighed
Esperance. you see. can't do any
thing even now. and it is hard to sit
and think all day. and them do 50
want Gaspard."
Her tears fell anew, and Lady
Worthington. seeing that they arose
quite as much from physical weak
ness and depression as from grief.
hardly knew what to do for her. She
glanced round the great, comfortless
room, and could not wonder that the
poor child felt forlorn. Every neces-
sary was there. certainly; but there
was an air of discomfort and barren
ness about everything. A little shaky
table. which might have been pretty
enough with flowers, was staggering
under the weight Of some of Corne-
las bulky volumes; number OF
medicine bottles were crowded on to
the window-sill, and Esperance her
self had been left in a slippery,
American-cloth chair, called by cour-
tesy easy" but in reality most un-
comfortable.
Lady WorthingtOn was perpleXed.
She could not make, or even suggest.
improvements "a the deans house,
and yet this want of the little femin-
inc comforts and adornments VeXed
her, and she felt sure that it must be
trying to Esperance. With a sense of
relief she perceived some common
property in the shape of the blue
"This great fly is worrying you, my
dear. I shall put an end to his noise, ="
and kind-hearted Lady Worthington
rose with alacrity to flick the poor In
sect merciessIy with her handker-
chief, till it fell ont Of the window
stunned. After that she felt a little
bet err. and came again to Esperance's
side, determined to make the most of
her present opportunity. A bright
idea had struck her-the deanery was
forlorn and uncomfortable, but what
If she could get Esperance away from
the deanery? She revolved various
plans in her mind. while fondling the
little invalid in silence. At last she
made up her mind, and began by a
judicious course of questioning.
Ought you not to have a change of
air. dear? Has Corneia said any
thing to you about going away"
mo: and I hope we shall not go, .
said Esperance. eve should only go
to scarborough, where Mrs. Mortlake
and Bella are staying, and I would
much rather be alone with Cornelia.'
"But think you should have a
change, you want great deal of set
ting up yet. | wonder whether you
would like to come and pay a visit
to Frances, she is down in Wales with
the children. Sir Henry and I only
left them on Saturday. and they are
to stay on fer another month"
Esperance started forward, glow
of colcr rising in her pale checks, "Oh
Lady Worthington, do you reall!
mean it? How good-how kind yo1
are!'
"You would like it them"
More than anything in the world
1t seems too good, too wonderful
only I have been so cross and fretful
that ] really don't deserve it"
Poor child. That is not your fault
am sure. you will soon get bette
When you are away, there is nothin
like Welsh air to my mind. and Llau
fairfechan. the little village where S
Henry has taken house. is a charm
ing place. with sea and mountains too
Frances will be 50 delighted to hav
you"
They were still talking over tn!
plan, when CoNelia came back frol
the service.
81 wonder whether you will spal
Us your invalid for a little while
said Lady Worthington, when she ha
joined them 81 have been asking E
perance whether she will stay with l