Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-21
Continued.


her eyes with the sight Of Gaspard,
however, than her happiness was
suddenly chilled, for he was looking
very i'll, pale, land worn, and fright
fully thin, while the scar on his
cheek added to the ghastliness OF the
whole face. She could not help con-
trasting him with the sleek, com
Portable, weH-to-do dean who took
everything SO easily, and found lie
so pleasant. Apparently, however
he was not quite at his ease now, fCE
he moved his hat nervously between
his hands, and seemed to hnd con-
yersation a difficulty, SO Esperance
thought at least, for Gaspard, IL
fairly good English, did almost al
the talking, while she counted from
the dean six consecutive remarks OF
."Oh, indeed" He rose to go very
soon. to her relief, Gaspard promising
to bring her to- the station in time for
the 5:45 express, and escorting his
guest to the dcor, with a grave dig
nitv. which reminded Esperance Of
her father.
She grudged the interruption, and
waited impatiently till he returned.
Ten minutes out Of our precious
time" she said, half petulantly, as
after few parting words with the
dean, Gaspard hurried upstairs,
What were you saying to him?'
only a little gratitude which [
couldn't bring myself to with you
near my precious bien-aimee. What
a delight it is to have you! Let me
have a good look at you!"
Each surveyed the other in silence.
Gaspard was apparently we'll salts
fed, for the Mariana" look which he
had feared, was not there; but Esper-
ance, after a moment, hid her face
on his shoulder and burst into tears.
"Cherie, what is it," he asked,
full Of concern. Are you unhappy at
chichester? is anything wrong?"
1T is not that" she sobbed. But,
oh, Gaspard, you can't think how i'll
you look!'
rs that ALP" he said laughing.
Don't break your heart over such
trifes-do let us enjoy ourselves in
the few hours we have together"
She made an unuccessful effort to
check her sobs, and he, fearing that
his attempt to turn away from the
subject had wounded her. returned to
it.
Mon annie, it is very pleasant to be
thought for, and spoiled once more,
but YOU must not really think [ am
i'll. 1t is not half so trying as life
during the siege, and the quality of
the food is much better-thipness is
natural to the family"
But tell nae, Gaspard, are you
really living still without meat?"
asked Esperance, with an earnestness
which made him laugh.
Yes, | am turned vegetarian, tee
totaler, and all sorts of virtnous
things"
And at the deanery," exclaimed Els
rerance, pasionately, even Balla's
wretche9 little cat has meat every
day"
Gaspard laughed uncontrGllably, and
Gsperance, seeing the ludi3rous side
Of her remark, at length Joined him.
Poor Bismarck! don't you think
you could take Kim back with you to
that happy place; he is not half so
wei used
IF only you were there"
What! to eat those terrible Dreak-
fasts at eight O'clock, and chose
joints of meat. which you described TO
me with such horror? Have you for
gotten what happened when
:" .Autrefois lie rat de willie
Ivita len rat des champs?'
You would find me signing fer
Bismarck and my eau sucre by the
end of the first day"
Esperance was soon talked back to
cheegfulness. and relieved Gaspard
greatly by tine account she gave of
herself, and of the kindness Lady
Worthington and Miss Neville had
showing the darker side of her life
at the Geanery, anxious, as far as
possible to make hfm easy about her.
Your funds must want replenish-
ing" said Gaspard, when he had
heard all she had to tell Of her pre-
sent life. How have you managed
to get on?"
"Oh, l have done very WE'LL said
Esperance, and l don't want any
thing yet. I have been making up
some of my old colored dresses this
spring"
But, cherie, you can't haxe existed
for ten months on that sovereign I
gave you last June and yet have
such a nice turnout"
You men know nothing whatever
about such things" said Esperance,
laughing }gayly. THAT sovereign
lasted me till Christmas, and then,
luckily, uncle gave me another as q
Christmas present, and that is to
last another six months. Then be-
sides some one sent me three pairs
of glove as a valentine, so now you
know all my resources. The idea O.
my having anything from you! Wha
do you take me for Gaspard?"
For a very wonderful little mana
ger" said Gaspard, smiling. But
seriously, it will be the greatest help
to me, for, as you know, money is no
too abundant, nor likely to be-"
7 used to hope that poor Monsieu
Lemercier would somehow come mi
raculously to the rescue, and find tina
our losses had not, after all, been s
great. Have you heard from hin
lately, Gaspard?"
"No NOT from, hin, hl,t from m