Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-07-28

him all about that; does he not tell
you in his letter." and Cornella
glanced at the closely written sheet
which lay before her
ksperance took it up aud read 10 the
end, and there. sure enough, was the
formidable list OF necessaries sug-
gested by the coffee planter, but
which Gaspard looked upon as so i'm
possible to obtain that he mentioned
them half laughingly. She was
greatly perplexed.
! Nell?" asked Cornelia.
Yes, he speaks OF it, she replied,
slowly. Bat ! do not much under
stand such things; | am still only
very young
he combination of adveTbs Offend
ed Cornelia's ear, but she was touched
by the pathoS OF the confession.
There was something weary in the
tone, as /. II were sad still TO have so
much of life 10 look forward TO, and
1t struck her that there was some
thing strange and wrong in such a
remark being made by a girl of
scarcely seventeen, who should have
been rejoicing in the hope OF coming
life, and proud of her age.
4 would not worry over the outfit
If were you, she said, more kindly.
No doubt your brother will manage
1t himself. You have a headache.
am sure, after all that crying sup
pose you go out for a walk-you will
have time before afternoon service"
Esperance was grateful for the
Kindness OF this speech, and YEARLY
asserting, folded Gaspard's letter and
carried it up to her room, her mind
= still full of the difficulties of procur.
ing his outfit. Whether it was from
the relief of thinking OF anything ex-
cept her grief, or from the anxiety t.
being something for Gaspard while il
was still possible, this idea quite alb
sorbed her. The nineteen shillings In
her purse were not consolatory--how
little they would procure for him!
She racked her brains for some means
OF making money, but for some time
1t was quite in vain. AT length an
idea struck her-hey face lighted up
with eager hope, and hastily putting
on her walking things, she followed
Cornelia's advice and went out-of-
doors
No country walk was to be hers
however. She bent her steps toward
the town, apd walking hurriedly
through the more frequented parts,
reached a quiet side street, and enter
ed hair-dresser's shop. Her heart
was beating quickly, and her voice
was little tremulous as she made
known her wishes to the master OF
the shop a roundfaced, gray headed,
cheery old man, who would not have
betrayed his profession but for the
extreme accuracy of his parting. aud
the elegant curve Of the hair plaster
ed down on his temples.
For cutting only, miss? will you
please to walk upstairs?"
Esperance obeyed following her
conductor to the shabby little room
above ostentatiously advertised as a
Hair Cutting and Shampoolng
Saloon" There she took off her hat,
loosened her hair, and with height
ened color drew it cut to its full
length, and glanced at her reflection
in the gilt-framed mirror.
Just tipped, l suppose, miss?"
said the hair-dresser, arranging his
implements and surveying Esper-
ance's beautiful hair with profession
al admiration
No, l want 1t cut of" she said.
half carelessly taking the chair he
had placed for her, aud tossing her
hair over its back.
"Cut off, miss!" exclaimed the as
tonished hair-dresser.
yes, please" said Esperance,
quietly.
But, miss. you will excuse me, but
it is such a pity. have not seen
such hair for many a day-so long.
so thick, in such capital condition!
Many ladies' miss, would give any
money to have such heat OF hair
they would indeed, miss
Would they?" asked Esperauce,
smiling. Then that is just what
want In fact, Mr.. JenkInson, | may
as well tell you that I want to sell
+ my hair. How much would you give
me for it?'