Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-03-17
CHAPTER /.
One adequate support

Exists, one only!-an assured belief
That the procession OF our fate
howeer
Sad or disturbed, is ordered by
Being
OF infinite benevolence and power
Whose everlasting purposes embrace
All accidents, converting them to
good The EXcursioH'
The Chateau de Mabillon stood on
the summit Of a low but abrupt hill,
overlooking one Of the most Deautiful
valleys Of France. In appearance
It was scarcely habltable, for it had
suffered greatly in the Revolution
and though time had yelled the rough
work OF the incendaries with luNurl-
AIT ivy and creepers, the chateau
was but a ruin, with the exception OF
a few rooms which had escaped the
general devastation, and were still oc-
cuplcd by the de Mabillon family,
Very small had that family become
OF late years, dwindling as rapidly
almost as their fortune had diminish
ed. Alphonse de Mabillon, at the age
of five and-forty, found himself the
sole survivor Of his generation
brothers and sisters were all dead,
more distant relatives had emigrated,
and were thus lost to him, his little
English wife had dropped and died
long ago, and he was now left alone,
save for his two children.
The villagers and the cure wondered
at monsleurs grave, sad face, but
they all loved him, for he was the
very lmpersonation of gatleness and
kindness, and gave more in aims than
many a far richer man.
On the brow Of the hill, surrounding
The chateau on all sides, was a broad
terrace, upon which NJ de Mabllon
might have been seen one autumn
afternoon, pacing up and down. His
face was more than ordinarily grave,
his head bent as II in anxious
thought; so engrossed was he, that
he did not eveu notice the ringing OF
the yesper bell. In the convent below
the hill, although this was the wonted
sign for the appearance OF his little
daughter
Esperance was fun of wonder az,
accompanied by old Javette, the SER
want. she climbed the steep ascent to
the chateau. Her studies at the con
vent were over for the day, and she
was making all speed to Join her
fut H. .fti, ts,tv
for her as usual2 What made him
look so grave and anXious2 She
reached the terrace out OF breath,
and sprung to her fathers side with a
merry laugh.
why papa' you have forgotten
me, and have given you a surprise,
For once" replied her father,
smiling and STOPPING to kiss the little,
flexible mouth which was pretending
to pout, Il have much to think of
iust now. my child"
Esperanee looked puzzled
What can there be to think o..
now that the harvest Is over, and the
vintage too, and Gaspard our good
Gaspard has passed his examinations
tell me what makes you grave,
papa"
NJ. de Mabillou paused for minute,
then, instead OF answering the ques-
ton, said, "Gaspard viii live at Paris
now you know, how would you like
90 live there, too?"
AT Parjs,' exclaimed Esperance.
wonderIugly, and leave the chateau
co., mo- papa ~. could not live In
great town. away from all the woods
aud the lowers Besides. ! love the
sisters-oNoept. indeed, Soeur Their
ese. who is cross always 4 could not
bear to leave them"
You will try To bear It for my
sake will YOU not2' asked her father
EsporaOce turned pale.
DO You mean. papa. that we must
really 40 quite away from home. and
leave everything"
Dear child, Ii is indeed thus.
have kept it from you as long as
possible, but have had losses of late.
the vintage was, as you know. very
bad, and Gaspard's education has
hccU a great expense; We can uot ar-
ford to live here any longer so the
chateau and land are 20 be sold. and
We must try to live chaaply with
your brother nj Paris"
Esperauce did not attempt 90 hide
her tears but she struggled to check
them for her fathers sake The un-
dor. lao o