Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-04-07
Won by W altlng.
II BY y
EDNA LYALL.

i BY y

On the evening Of he next day
every one felt dull and depressed;
madame, her chair drawn close to the
little fire, coud not suppress a heavy
sigh every now and then though each
time It escaped her she would give
little cough, hoping to deceive Es-
perance Javotte-who, II cour e,
had share in the che fire--sat,
rosary in hand, murmuing AYES
for NJ Gaspard Esperance, looking
very pale and anxious, was reading
Dumas "Tulipe Noile' aloud, trying
hard to seem interested in the ad-
ventures Of Cornelius and Rose, while
she strained her ears to catch the
faintest sound from below.
Gryphus was in the very act OF
dis oyerlDg ia tulipe," Cornelius IN
an agony of grief, when Esperance
uddenly stopped, and sprung to the
door. Steps were slowly ascending
the stairs, NJ. LemercIer's voice was
heard making come uncomplimentary
remark about 1rochu-a hoarse voice
asserting. A minute more, and Gas
pafd dragged himself into the dlmly
Ighted room, almost falling into the
nearest chair while M. Lemercier
hastened to reassure Esperaace.
NO no, he is not wounded, my
dear mademoiseile, only worn out
with the fatigue and the cold Some
hot brandy and water, A0toinettei
we shall soon revive him, do not
tear"
Esperaace took the musket from
the stiff beuumbed hands, and bent
dowa % kiss her brother, starting
back in horror TO find his mustache
quite frozen. lie was just enough
alive 70 be amused at her terror, and
to whisper hoarsely that ii would
thaw very soon
Mime Lemercler and Jayotte began
20 tend him with great delight, it
was their first attempt at nursing
ard between their care, the warmth
and the resto, atiyes, Gaspard was
soon relieved, and able to give some
account of the sortie, which had been
unsuccessful.
4 ThE intense cold was OF long dura-
! ton it told teartully upon the Ma.
i tional Guard, so much so, indeed, tina;
as many as could possibly be spared
were sent back to Paris Gaspard ha'
taken a yioleut chill and was i'll II
bed, and Esperance, while Thankful
to have him safe at home, was ter
ribly distressed at the short ration!
of unappetizing horsetesh, which, il
his weak state, he found almost ua
eatable. She, for the first time
fully realized all the discomforts o
the siege and longed impatiently 70
an end to their priyation and misery
Christmas was not SO sad as sh
had anticipated TO begin with
Gaspard was much better. and abl
to come down to the Lamerciers
salon, aud madame was so bright an,
cheerful that it was impossible not t,
catch something OF her humor.
Then, too, there was a great sur
prise Jayotte returned from he
, marketing with a beaming face; sh
had been standing en- queue for hours
but what JOY she had brought hom'
rations Of beef. and little butter
Such good fortuue did not com
again. however. Food became NOR
+ and more scarce, the thermomete
, stil remained twelve degrees b9lo,
zero, and there was no prospect q
, relief
The Jour de Fan dawned gloomily
even Nine. Lemercier felt little dc
, pressed everything was SO trist; n
presents, no amuscments, no gage
ties Of any description but a gra
, sl,y Il mourning people and distau
firing
NJ .mrgtaa went 10 poluca
lecture az the epubligau club {
which ae be.ouged Gaspard uststa
H Joining his battalion, Javoty
went out 10 the market, and Espe
aa.e ami madame were left To the
uau devices
Espgrmge beeau to make i Wreat
mmortcles Tor her father
! rNe Madame sla kitung 4.
me time at last she spoke ~
: uuaet.y and as Il she ltstGed j,
g aIjy,
Esge anee. mon smje 90 sou {
aiHh That ons p.og Jayole erus
4 yar,. rHfu5.aa