Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-20
Won by w aiting.
EDNA LYALL.

! she danced with Claude, however
| several times, only refusing him one,
wren she wanted to sit out with Cor
! nelia, who was having rather a dull
time. Claude OWNED her motive, anC
loved her all the better for it, ever
| accepting the hint she gave him t
dance with Bertha, though it tool
him away from her to a most in.
different set of Quadrilles, in which
every one danced languidly. He was
rewarded, however, later in the even.
ing, by another waltz with her; as
they were walking up and down the
hall after it was over he stopped fo1
a moment before Mariana"
Il want you to look at this for a
moment" he said; lit is one of my
pictures"
She looked up eagerly.
"A new one of yours? l had not
seen it-why, she is just like Gas
pard! that is exactly how he looked
after the capitulation.'
Claude was much amused, and
would not perhaps have explained
further had she not put a direct ques-
ticn.
did you get the idea from Gas
pard?"
NO" he replied, smiling. Your
brother saw the picture when it was
done, and 1 made my confession to
him then. 1t was your face which in
spired me-"
"Minei how very funny!" cried Els
perance, with her irresistible laugh.
DO you mean that this is really
meant for me, and that | have been in
tie Academy without knowing it?
All! that is amusing! that is ridicu-
lous!"
Il am afraid it was a great liberty, .
said Claude, but | could not resist
the temptation; perhaps some day
you viii really give me a sitting; l
should not paint you as Mariana
ncw.'
why not?" asked Esperance; be-
cause l have lost my hair?"
NO." said Claude, hesitating a lii
tie, because you have not Mari
ana's' expression now. Mariana
never grew bright, and patient, and
hopeful; she must have grown bitter
in her loneliness instead of sweet"
He paused, half afraid he had said
too much; but Esperance was no
thinking of herself. She was looking
at the picture.
"How dreary you have made the
fen look; like that dull, watery re-
Election of the moonlight, and the
torn curtain, and that worm eater
window-frame-ah! it is wonderfully
done! How sad she looks, too, so
weary and so disappointed" Then,
with sudden smile, ."Surely I never
looked so despairing?''
you used to look very miserable, -
said Claude.
"Ah! and I was miserable; that was
just the time when | was most home
sick and unhappy; how l did hate
Rilchester!"
you do not dislike it now, them"
mo, l believe am really growing
fond of it," she answered, smiling.
Il wonder whether you know OUT
prOverb, 'Quand on ma pas ce que
Ton Anne, il faut Amer &c que Ton a..
1 think it is one of the wisest sayings
and really it answers"
She had applied the proverb only
to places; but Claude felt sure that
She really referred to people as well
She was schooling herself to love hel
English RELATIONSHIPS it not evil
dent? II not, why had she takel
pains to secure partner for Bertha
or fingered talking with Cornelia, OF
answered Mrs. Mortlake's disagreea-
BILE questions so pleasantly?
Justthen Christabel appeared.
you are very imprudent to stand
in that draught, Esperance," she said
coldly.
Would you have liked you
shawl?" asked Claude. Pray let me
fetch it."
I'VE are going, thank YOU" sale
Mrs. Mortlake; so do not trouble
only people who are always com
planning of the cold should use com
mon sense in"
Her words were checked by SiI
Henry Worthington, who suddenl!
emerged from the door of the bill
| liard-roOm.
why, Mrs. Mortlake, you are leav
ing us very early"
She was at once at all smiles AM
courtesy. Claude hated her, AM
grawed the ends of his mustach
fiercely, till Esperance's voice recalled
him from his angry thoughts.
81 think it is wonderful" she said
taking a farewell look at Mariana
81 am so glad you told me all abou
it Are you painting anything Will
you are here?"
mo; I go back to town tomorrow,
said Claude, rather wistfully; ''thi
has only been few days holiday
Will you really keep your promis
some time, and give me sitting?"
Yes, indeed; but what will yo1
paint me as?"
GAS an angel, 1 think" said Claude
gravely.
She laughed uncontrollably, an
was so much amused by the ide
that she would talk of nothing els
while he was helping her with he
cloak; but just as they were passin
through the hall again on their wa
to the carriage, she half raised hi
scarf and showed him the Christina
roses.
Your flowers are quite fresh still,
she said, glancing up at him haI
shyly.
And Claude was more thrilled b
those words, than by all her forme
thanks. Your f1owers'-she Gale