Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-28
CHAPTER XXI.

If loving hearts were never lonely,
If all they wished might always be.
Accepting what they look for only,
They might be glad-but not in
Thee.
We need as much the cross we bear
AS air we breathe, as light we see;
1t draws Us to Thy side in prayer,
1t binds us to our strength in Thee.
A. L. Warning
Rilchester again with its quiet, I'M
disturbed streets and it busy tongues;
the cathedral with it's daily services
and it's thin congregations; the dean
cry, with all its luxurious discomfort,
and the weary, distastefu1 life once
more. Strive as Esperance would to
be thankful and cOntented, it was of
no use-each day seemed more bur
densome, each petty trial more I'M
bearabe 1t was an intolerable eff
fort to be even ordinarily polite to
every one, and when Bella was pro
voking she was sorely tempted to
box her ears.
Cornelia told her openly that her
visit to Gaspard had upset her, that
she was ungrateful for the kindness
shown her, and that she ought to be
ashamed of herself Mrs. Mortlake
put everything down to the long holt
day at Bournemouth, and was always
on the lookout for fresh employment
for her. Bella's nurse, a kind-hearted,
sensible person, suggested that
mademoisellc felt the spring weather,
and should take a tonic
April passed into May, and the al
formations of cold east wind and hot
sunshine did not improve matters.
Esperance grew more and more Ian
guild and depressed; she could not
sleep, she could not eat, she could
not even think clearly. The one idea
impressed on her mind was that Gas
pard was alone and starving, and this
thought never left her; by day, she
dwelt on it with bitter tears-in her
brief intervals of restless sleep it
haunted her dreams.
Things went on in this way for
about month. Cornelia was begin
ming to feel alarmed and to watch
her with real though carefully dis
guised anxiety.
One day when the lessons had gone
worse than usual, and Esperance felt
that she really deserved a scolding,
she was surprised by the sudden ques-
ton, You do not feel we'll, Esper-
ance. I am sure. What is the matter
with your
a. ln 1o,
guidly.
But you must know what you fee
like; come, tell me at once"
II don't feel anything particular"
Would you like to see a doctor?"
"Oh, no, thank you; l have nothing
to say"
Cornelia was not at all satisfied
with the spiritless tone of her an
swers. She had lost all her bright
ness and energy, and whereas she hat
before been eager and responsive, sh
was now silent and apathetic.
You need not prepare your lesson
for tomorrow; we will read togethe
instead" said Cornelia, after q. min.
ute's thought, watching to see wha
enecl MS Woulu nave lHere Wa
some slight shade of relief in Esper
ance's Thank you," but it SCENE
as if nothing could make very mucl
difference to her now.
Just then the gong sounded fo
luncheon, and the two went down
stairs together, Cornelia feeling ur
easy and puzzled. In the dining
room they found the dean and the
cousin, George Palgrave, who ha
just arrived on a visit. EsperanG
looked at him rather curiously r,
membering with pang the scene {
their last meeting. He was not tt
least changed in appearance, but /
seemed less awkward, a fact whic