Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-07-28

1 dlHerence TO her now.
Just then the gong sounded for
( luncheon, and the two went down
stairs together, Cornelia feeling I'M
easy and puzzled. In the dining
room they found the dean and their
cousin, George Palgrave, who had
Just arrived on visit. Esperance
looked at him rather curiously re-
membering with a pang the scene of
their last meeting. He was not the
least changed in appearance, but he
seemed less awkward, a fact which
she naughtily explained as owing to
her increased acquaintance with Eng
lishmen. He won her heart, however,
by inquiring after Gaspard for though
the question was hard to answer,
and brought the ready tears to her
eyes, it showed that he was not for
gotten.
Cornelia watched Esperance care
fully, noticed her reply to George
Palgrayes question, the sudden blush
which rose to her cheek quickly sue
ceeded by deadly paleness, the almost
| impatient gesture with which she re-
jected the dishes handed 10 her, and
her languid attempts to eat few
mouthfuls of what was before her.
All brought to her mind that sharp
| despairing sentence, which had 50
startled her, Should | take care OF
myself, when he is starving 1t
must then be this trouble which was
| weighing down Esperance; she should
know as soon as possible that help
was at hand.
Several letters had passed between
| Mr.. Seymour and the dean, and Cor
nelia knew that Mr.. Seymour intend
ed to have a personal interview with
| him, it was highly probable that he
would give him employment. Matters
were arranged even more quickly
than she had expected; that very
afternoon the dean received letters
| both from the coffee planter and from
| Gaspard.
Mr.. Seymour really takes him,
asked Cornelia, anxiously.
Yes; he seems much pleased with
| him; you can read his letter, and the
young man himself writes very prop
| erly. | am glad something is settled I;
! it has been a most troubleome cor
| respondence."
You will tell Esperance, will you
not, father?"
"Oh, well, yes, if you think best;
but send her here quickly, for am
very busy, and have been sadly hin
,fc I'M I,-C
She shall come at once. You re-
member, father, she has no idea of
this; it will be a great surprise to
/ her."
yes, yes, | understand, my dear;
| only let us waste no more time"
Cornelia fastened away in search
! of Esperance, not feeling quite salts
fed. After all. would this help which
she had taken so much pains to secure
/ be very acceptable to her little cous-
! in? She wished Ceylon were not so
/ far Off or that she had persuaded her
! father to try for some English APP
pointment for Gaspard; and then
wished heartily that she had more
/ tact and sympathy, or could fancy in
/ the least what her feelings would be
on hearing that her imaginary brother
was to be shipped off 10 the other
side of the world.
Poor Cornelia, in spite Of all her
wishes, her voice was as cold and
peremptory as ever when at last she
/ found Esperauce,
My father wants to speak to you
In the library; no, pray don't hdgst
about your hair, It is quite tidy, and
/ he is in hurry"
Esperance went withou, a word. A
j few months ago she would have been
excited by such an unusual request,
now she only raised her eyebrows
/ slightly. CorneIa would almost have
been thankful for one Of those OBJ
jectionable French expletives, this
silence seemed so unnatural and with
many msgiyings she watched her az
( she went slowly down the dark stair
case. her hand passing languidly
over the balustrade rail.
The dean was pacing up and down
/ the library when Esperancp entered.
"Cornelia said you wished 20 speak
to me. uncle" she said, approaching
/ him
Yes. my dear just for a few min
utes upon a little matter Of business;
take this chair Cornelia told me
that your brother could meet with m
employment, and that he was in fact
in very poor circumstances, and have
been trying for some weeks 20 find
some suitable situation for him"
Dear uncle, how very good you
are" cried Esperance springing ~
with all her old energy, and yo1
have really found something for
him"
Yes: Mr. Seymour. friend OF
mine. has offered him situation on
his estate in Ceylon, and your bro
Their seems very much pleased with
it,"
Esperance tried 70 believe that she
did not hear rightly; it had never
entered her head to think y work
for Casnard out OF England. sha