Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-11-24

but much as they would both have
liked this, 1t was too far from the
cathedral to be convenient. and
Claude's work was OF course the first
consideration
Cornelia was the only one who did
not quite like the arrangement: she
would greatly have preferred having
Esperance in the house: however.
Christabel. as usual, raised objections,
and Cornelia, who never could argue
on household orderings without be-
ing worsted, was obliged to submit
She came TO the station TO meet
| them on the day of their arrival, and
was delighted to find Esperance not
the least changed, perhaps looking
even younger than before her mar
rage. She could hardly realize at
first that the bonnie in the snowy
white cap, and the fine, dark-eyed boy
OF nine months, really belonged to
her: nor was Claude, with his still
boyish face, and easy, artistic dress,
at all like a paterfamillas.
Rilchester seemed but little altered:
and Esperance looked at the quiet
streets and picturesque houses with
an odd sort OF affection. she had
learned a great deal while she lived
there. and she could look back upon
the suffering now with undisturbed
serenity, seeing how good had come
out OF the evil 1t was curious TO
drive down the very streets which she
used TO pass through on her way to
and from the Priory. to recall the
long. weary walks, her terror when
II grew dusk, and her encounter with
the gang of workmen, and then to look
"a the other side OF the carriage and to
see Claude giving a bllthe recogni-
| ton TO the precentor, and little Noel
gazing with wlde-opened eyes at all
about him, How little she had dreamed
in those dark days of the possessions
which were awaiting her in the
| future,
On the following day they were to
dine at the deanery and Mrs Mortlake
and Dean Collinson came TO see them
before the afternoon service Chris
label was, of course, as polite and
amiable as possible, and put on her
very best company manners, but Es-
perance knew she did not really like
her any better than before, and dis
liked the fussing politeness almost
more than the former sharp fault
finding. The dean, too, seemed more
pompous than ever, she had men
toned Bertha's name to him, but he
had looked displeased, and had at
once changed the subject On the
whole the visit had been disap-
pointing one, and she felt weary and
depressed.
! Why, my little Mariana, said
! Claude, as he returned from seeing the
visitors out, and found Esperance with
the shadow of that old look on her
face, what has been troubling you?"
u don't know" said Esperance,
half laughing, and allowing herself to
be ensconced on the sofa, Il am cross
and stupid today and somehow after
our long happiness 1t seems rather a
| weight to come back to Christabel.
ne did not even care to hear of
! Bertha.
And if you've no burden OF your
own, you take other peoples" said
Claude, smiling Never mind,
cherie, it will come right in time; try
to go to sleep, and prepare for this
evening.
/ THAT tiTesome dinner" sighed Es-
perance, the rooms Will be so hot"
I'VE will not go If you are not up to
| It, said Claude. drawing down the
bind. From the look of the sky |
rather fancy there's storm brewing,
and that will make an excuse"
NO, MOI we must co. said Esper-
ance, more cheerfully. II would not
disappoint Cornelia for anything,
+, and she closed her eyes and settled
! herself resolutely to go TO sleep while
Claude watched her a little anxiously,
hoping it had not been imprudent OF
him to bring her to Rilchester at this
| time.