Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-11-10
CHAPTER XXI.

poO1 IJCl LllcI LClI well llOLC. al Ids
she burst into tears; her head was
bowed on appearances shoulder and
the strong, independent, hardened
nature was thankful enough to feel
itself infolded by loving, clinging
arms. If she had been different, il
the home had been a happier one,
this would never have happened
there was the sting!
She reused herself at last, and went
to tell the dean and ChristabeI, while
Esperance lowered about restlessly,
fearing to meet any one, and yet find
Ing solitude almost uncomfortable.
The dean did not appear at break
with a cup of tea to his study, and
she knocked, and entered tremblingly.
Her uncle's face was so changed,
even in that short time, that she
could hardly bear to look at it; his
hand shook as he took the cup from
her; he looked white and scared, yet
there was a curious, dreamy haze in
his eyes. She bent down to kiss him,
but did not say anything; just as she
was turning away, however, she
fancied he spoke to her, and waiting,
caught the muttered words, "Retri-
button! Retribution! the child is like
her father, tool"
Esperance pondered long over that
low ejaculation; did her uncle take
this trial as a punishment for his
harshness to her father and mother?
Perhaps Cornelia had this in her
thoughts too; it certainly did pass
through her mind that some strange
fatality must be attached to marriages
in their family. Christabel, after a
brief and not very happy union, had
returned to her fathers house as a
widow, her own prospects of happi-
ness had cen disappointed, and
Bertha had married rashly and dis
obediently.
1t was too late now to think of
was to hush up the affair as much as
possible, and Bertha was so often
away from home, and had so few
friends in Rilchester, that for the
present concealment would not be
difficult.
Perhaps it was We'll for them all
that their thoughts were necessarily
diverted by the deans illness; it
semed advisable that they should all
go away as soon as possible, and this
making a convenient preteXt, it was
arranged that Cornelia should go with
hnr fafh fn WI no c
to take a course Of baths, while Mrs.
Mortlake went to visit some of her
husbands "elatiyes, taking Bella with
her.
Esperance was sent to the Priory.
1t was a great relief to her to be there
once more; the strain of the last few
days had been great, and the quiet of
old Mrs. PASSWORDS house seemed
doubly restful. She had only been
there few hours, however, when
from her retreat in the garden she
heard the front door bell, and fear
ing some visitor from Rilchester who
might ask tiresome questions, was a
little vexed. The servant came across
the lawn to her
Mistress would be glad if she
would step into the drawing-room."
She obeyed, not very willingly, and
the surprise was all the greater when,
on going in, she found the visitor to
be Claude Magnay.
Mrs. PassmOre was in the middle of
the stock remark which old ladies
seem to enjoy making to young men
Remember him? of course she did,
why she had nursed him in long
clothes."
Esperance stood for a moment hold
ing her brown straw hat in her hand
her face was glowing, and her heart
beat quickly. Mrs. Mortlake had
told her not to go into Rilchester
more than she could help in order to
avoid questions; she had not been
to the cathedral that day, and some
how she had so missed the bright
morning greeting and the few words
which had always passed between her
and Claude when she went in to ser
vice.
Claude came forward eagerly to meet
her, and she soon forgot her momen-
tary embarrassments, and began to
talk as naturally as ever. Mrs. Pass
more was certainly the most charm
ing old lady. Claude blessed he1
inwardly when she sent them out into
the garden; her CHEEKY Now, chill
dren! go and see the roses,'' was
really delightful. He did not mind
being considered a Child" when
Esperance made the plural. They
walked about the old garden hah
the afternoon, they gathered flowers
for grannie, and were told not to for
get themselves, so Claude took the
role of NJ. Worth again, and gathered
a deep crimson rose for Esperance
after some consideration, chose g
crimson carnation for his button-hole
They wandered about, and paced uI
and down the trim box-edged paths
and at length grannie had to call them
into tea in the little, old-fashioned
parlor. ESperance sat at the head Of
the table, and poured out tea fol
them She looked more bewitching
tAan ever as her hands moved deftly
about among the old blue and white
china, and there was a delightful cop.
per tea-kettle on the hearth which
Claude had the pleasure of fetcnIng
backward and forward for her, tasl
which he liked so much that ht
would quite have spoiled the tea by
his frequent attentions if she ha(
allowed him.
Then he reminded her 0f hn'