Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-11-03

the SpTedi EdSie anu mdue eager prep
arations for mis- visit TO Rilchester
invoking blessings on Lady Wor-l
thington head He went by an
evening train, and by an odd colnci-
dence met two of his chichester
friends at the ticket office-the precen-l
tor and Mr.. White, the minor canon
I hey Travelled down together Claude
in very high spirits, finding the most
trifiing piece of chichester gossip full
of interest. The precentor was mid
dle-aged man, very musical, and al
most devoted worshiper of Wagner
He related piteous anecdotes of his
revolutionary attempts on the cathe-I
dral music, and the cruel prosecutions
he underwent at the hands of the
dean and the organist, while Mr.
White gave graphic description of a.
scene in the vestry after a wedding,
when the precentor had succeeded in
having the Bridal March" from To-
hengrin" as IA voluntary, and the dean,
not knowing what it was, had partic-I
ularly admired it. Somehow Claude
rather enjoyed hearing of weddings I'M
the cathedral. He made many in
quiries about this one, and listened
contentedly to a minute and particular
account of the state of the choir
now Jones had just cracked, and was
apprenticed to a bookseller, and a
young Smith was developing capitally, /
and had turned out first-rate soloist,
while Brown, the tenor, had meanly
deserted them and gone off to some
better-paid appointment.
The precentor liked Claude every
one did, in fact-and, moreover, next
to music, he enjoyed nothing more
than talking, so he invited him to
supper at his house, and kept up a |
brisk current Of talk till the clock
struck twelve; then Claude started up,
saying that he wished to be early in 1
the cathedral so as to get the morn
ing light
1t is too late, | suppose, to knock
up one of the vergers?" he asked Il
wanted to get the keys; the dean used
to lend me his, but l can hardly go
around there now"
The precentor at once produced his
keys, and followed his guest to the
door
a beautiful moonlight night, he
said looking out. Il would give
something to take you to the cathe-
dral now, but it's against rules to go
in at nigAt, and except with regard 70
The morning was as bright and sun
Wagner, you know, | am very ODE
dent"
Claude laughed, and said he would
be content with six o'clock, then
walked back to his hotel for a few
hours sleep and a dream Of Esper-
ance.
ny as he could wish. He walked
round by the deanery, and looked up
wistfully at the windows; then re,
membering his work, he FASTENED on
to the cathedral. walked up the long,
tagged path, and unlocked the south
door. Putting down his easel and
bag, he gave himself up for a moment
TO silent enjoyment of the beauty
around he glanced down the long
vista OF arches, then his eye travelled
back slowly till it was arrested att
the crusaders tomb. His heart beat
wildly, and he hurried forward with
eager though noiseess steps. Gould
it Indeed be Esperanceo He gazed
long and wondering at the little fig
ure. She was nestled up into a cor
ner, her head had fallen forward and
rested against the tomb, the soft
waves of dark hair contrasting with
the white stone; her long, black LASH
es lay calmly, her cheeks were flushed
with sleep, one little brown hand
clasped Javotte's cross tightly. and
her whole attitude and expression
were of undisturbed peace. Some
slight sound reused her at last she
looked up eXpectantly, and a glad
light came into her eyes as she saw
Claude
"Ah, l am so glad" she said; Il
knew some one would be sent; am so
glad it was you, Claude"
The name slipped from her inadver-
tently; he colored with pleasure.
Have you been locked in by acct
deut9" he asked wonderingly.
Then the sorrowful look returned to
face: she told him all.
anu dSkeu MS ADVICE. lie was mucn
startled and shocked, but he would
dwell on Bertha's injustice to her, and
the cruelty of shutting her thus into
the cathedral
THAT does not matter, it is all over
now" she interrupted. but how am
to tell them at home9 What will
they say?"
He at once turned his thoughts to
her present difficulties. and self-deny-
ingly advised her TO go to the deanery
as soon as possible and tell Cornelia,
leaving her to break il to the dean
While they We're still talking Il over
the clock struck seven, and Esperance
moved toward the door. feeling dread
fully stiff after her hard couch
'I must go" she said firmly, though
she was beginning TO tremble at the
thought OF this hard task "The
house will be open now, and we must
lose no time. You are staying in