Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-11-24
Won by w aiting.
EDNA LYALL-
Continued.

But the transformation scene that
awaited them without was still more
wonderful. AS the great west doors
were thrown open, and the pealing
bells overpowered the distant notes
of the organ, brightness more daz-
cling than the winter sunlight greeted
them. The heavy, ominous clouds had
discharged themselves, and during
the service there had been a brief
but heavy snOW-storm; now the
ground was covered with veil of the
purest white, the heavy sky had
changed to clear, frosty blue, and the
day seemed turned from mournful
gloom to rejoicing. Mrs. Mortlake
would have been greatly disturbed,
had she known that the bride and
bridegroom were actually obliged to
wait while the vergers swept the
snow from the carpeted path, but
happily they themselves did not the
least mind.
How beautiful it looks" said Els
perance, as they drove through the
silent, snowy streets, land | am glad
the sun has come out to welcome u.s.
eyes" replied Claude, this accounts
for the darkness just now; it ought
to be a good omen for our life, dar-
ling,-brightness and light after
gloom"
yes" said Esperance, smiling
quietly, land a season and purpose in
the gloom all the time"
It was essentially a happy wedding;
even Cornelia, though feeling the loss
of Esperance keenly, could not but re-
joice for her, and there were no pain
full leave-takings. The dean seemed
Pleased, and, on the whole, relieved
his sisters child was marrying well;
he had had some share in introduce
ing her to Claude Magney, and now
his responsibility was over. Another
comfortable reflection was that she
was no longer de MabilIon." He
took much pleasure in speaking of her
as my niece, Mrs. Magney," and in
the strength of this new consolation,
endured Sir Henry Worthington's
speech, with its kind-hearted and
delicate illusions to M. de Mabillon
and Gaspard. Esperance's stay at the
deanery had effected much, but it had
not cured the dean of his old antip-
athy, nor had it in the least con-
WINGED him that he ought to have
owned himself in the wrong
Lady Worthington watched the
farewells with a good deal of interest;
her own motherly kiss had been
given, then came Mrs. Mortlake with
her properly expressed wishes for
future happiness, Cornelia with her
long, silent embrace, the dean with
his patriarchal blessing, and lastly
poor little Bella in floods of tears.
which seemed all the more surprising
as she had always been Esperances
arch tOrmentor. Nine. Lemercier also
sned tears, but the next moment she
was smiling and assuring Cornelia
that it was the most beautiful we'd
ding that had ever been, and that
chichester had made Esperance like
a true angel" Madame took great
interest in matters matrimonial, and
since their Welsh tour she had had a
charming little project; otthat she was
a matchmaker, she was scarcely in the
position for 1t, but she watched with
hope and anxiety, and gave a little
nod Of satisfaction when Mr.. Hender-
son was carried off to see the fernery
at Worthington. Her rapid magma
ton had arranged everything most
satisfactorily, and before the after
noon was over she had arrived at the
conclusion that Devonshire air would
suit Miss Nevilles health admir-
ably, and that Maggie would have
charming belle-mere.