Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-01
Won by w aiting.
.%BY1
EDNA LYALL.


d
Mrs. LowdelPs question.
Just then light was seen within
the hallt it approached slowly, and
Esperance gave a glad cry as she
ldiscerned Cornelia carefully crossing
the pavement, which was strewn with
fallen beams and broken fragments of
glass But as she came nearer her
fixed, ashy-white face put all rejoicing
to flight, and fear made every one
SPECIFICS.
Claude went to meet her and first
broke the silence.
I'VE have been so anxious about
you!" he said, hurriedly Il hope you
bring us news of the dean?"
She turned her rigid face toward
him.
Il can not reach him. He was in
the ante-room, close to the observa-
tory, when We came down-the way is
impossible now!"
Some one must go up and find
him." said Mrs. Mortlake, and she
called the footman; but the danger
was great, and the footman hung
back reluctantly.
Claude left Cornelia then for mo-
! ment, and drew Esperance a little
apart from the crowd.
Darling" he said, gently, 81 must
see if l can not help to find your uncle.
Will you go back to baby? Mrs. Low
dell will go with you, ann sure"
81 can not go till you come down
again said Esperance, trembling.
And oh, Claude, it will be so danger
Gus! Must you-need you go?"
| He held her closely.
1T seems the only cnance. darling
| know the house thoroughly and am
young and strong. The dean is a
! feeble old man, | can not leave him
without help-you would not wish me
/ to do So
mo, moi" sobbed Esperance, you
must go, only let me wait here
But the rain is so heavy--it is so
bad for you, and the storm is not
over"
Il do not mind it-see, l do not
even start now at the lightning" she
pleaded. only let me stay here and
| will be quite good and quiet-it
!
to co.
He yielded to her entreaties, and
| bending down, kissed her, caught her
hands in his, and said in low, hurried
tones, pray for us, darling-and
trust"
YES" she replied, earnestly-"al
ways"
The last words passed her lips half
dreamily-she could not have given
her reason for adding it. The lamp
light fell fully on Claudes face now;
she looked up into his clear, grave,
blue eyes-one last, long look,-then
he stopped once more to kiss her,
wrapped her cloak more closely
round her, and walked hurriedly
away. For a minute Esperance strain
ed her eyes to follow him in the dim
light. Some one brought him Ian
tern, he spoke few words to Cornelia
and then walked up the steps and
disappeared in the darkness. Her
head dropped then, and she leaned
against the lamp-post for support,
waiting with folded hands and closed
eyes.
People gathered round her, and
talked hopefully, but she could not
heed them, she never raised he1 eyes
until half-whispered remark reused
her-"Poor Miss Collinson seems
quite stunned" Then she drew nearer
to the door where Cornelia was stand
ing, put her arm round her waist,
and held one of her cold hands in
hers Copelia looked at her pityingly.
my poor child, you ought not to be
here"
ct will not hurt me, he told me |
might stay-we will wait together, .
she replied.
Tell Christabel and the others to
go under shelter somewhere" said
Cornelia, uttering the words with
difficulty.
Esperance obeyed, and Mrs. Mort
lake and the guests accepted the Of
! fer of one of the minor canons, and
took refuge in the Wears Court.
Then Esperance returned again to
Cornelia, and the two women waited
!, in silence through minutes which in
) their agony of suspense seemed like
hours-waited in the pouring rain
and the chill of the autumn night
unheedful of all around, each knowing
that the life most dear to her in the
, world was in mortal danger.
There was an expectant hush; ever!
: one was listening intently for some
J, sign which might tell of Claudes sue
:, cess, yet to Esperance it seemed as i
= the quiet court had never before beer
so noisy Her ears were strained Il
:. catch the faintest sound from thu
y house, and the low whispers of TIT
lookers-on, the ceaselesS drip OF tn
g rain on the gravel, and the distant rol
{, of the thunder, seemed almost NOR
than she could endure.
IL Claude's friend, Mr.. White, and tw
T. or three servants and neighbors, ha
e. ventured as far as the hall, an
lie were the first to hear the shout fror
5. above. Cornelia and Esperance hear
"a the voice but could not distinguis
SIS the words Mr.. White hurried out
lie them, however-it was all right, th
re dean was unhurt Cornelia uttered
he fervent thanksgiving, then again thef
IT, was unbroken silence while the per
Il louS descent was made down the Sha
TO tered and almost impossible stat
es case. Ladders had been procure
(! but they had proved too short an
&c, could not be adjusted, nor was tt
feeble old dean very anxious to Il
ng them.