Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-05-05

nd responded to the formal How
do you do?" contrasting them with
he warmth of the most ordinary
Meeting in France.
Cornelia was evidently determined
! lose no time: she made prompt in
Quiries after the luggage, made Es-
erance identify it, and then led the
way to the carriage. They drove off
II silence, Esperance waiting for her
! ousin to begin the conversation,
'ornelia contemplating the little
rcEch girl, and wondering what her
father would say to her very foreign
appearance.
An eager exclamation from Esper-
ance broke the ice
THE cathedral, ah, but it is beau
tiful! it is magnificent, What
height-what massiveness! never
dreamed that it was so exquisite!"
She had unconsciously relapsed
into French Cornelia was surprised
and amused at the sudden rhapsody.
1T is very beautiful, is it not?'
she replied, with much more warmth
in her tone. l am glad you appreciate
such things, for Rilchester is full of
architectural beauties"
And is my uncle's house near to
the cathedral?"
Not so near as many other houses.
The close is occupied chiefly by the
canons. See, we are entering it now;
beyond this is the Wears Court, and
we pass through that to the deanery.''
Esperance glanced curiously at the
gray old houses, but deciding that
they were triste, she turned again to
the cathedral, feasting her eyes on its
beauty. The gray walls of the Vicar
Court soon hid it, however, and Es-
perance, as they drew near their des-
tination, began to picture in her mind
the kind of welcome which awaited
her Her cousins would probably be
all waiting in the hall, they would
hasten forward to embrace her the
dean would bid her welcome, and
compliment her on her good looks
This had always been her experience
when her father took her to Visit the
Her heart beat high with expectant
hope when the carriage stopped, her
preconceived dislike to the dean only
adding a Zest to her excitement. The
footman rang the bell two solemn
strokes of the clapper resulting, which
echoed long in the quiet court. Es-
perance gave slight SILVER, ii
sounded so like a death-knell.
The door was opened, and Cornelia
led the way up the steps and into q
large, square hall, dimly lighted from
above. Esperance looked in vain
for the dean, and for her cousins
they were nowhere to be seen.
Where is Bertha?" she asked OF
her conductor; Il am longing to see
her"
"Bertha!" said Cornelia, a little
urprised at Esperances question;
4 don't know | am sure; perhaps we
shall find her in the drawing room
You will have some tea, will you not;
before you take off your things?"
Tea at such an hour seemed strange
enough to Fsperance however, she
assented, and was taken to large
well-proportioned room, which might
have been very handsome had it not
been overcrowded with solid furni-
ture She threaded her way between
the tables, and chairs, and ottomans,
feeling quite oppressed by the all
prevailing purple-carpet, curtains,
furniture, even the wallpaper, were
all in a shade Of the same color. In
the deep window-seat, at the further
end of the room, sat Mrs Mortlake
and Bertha They rose as Cornelia
and Esperance approached.
so the traveller has arrived" said
Christabel, coming forward and kiss
ing Esperance on one cheek; Il hope
you have had pleasant journey
dear?"
Espcrances heart was warmed by
the term of endearment; she answered
the question in the affirmative, IN
consciously telling story; then she
turned eagerly to Bertha. the cousin
from whom she hoped great things.
She was much disappointed, though
the cold unmeaning kiss prepared
her in some degree. She looked up
anxiously-Bertha was pretty, fair
complexioned. and blue-eyed, but her
whole aspect was listless and unin-
terested. The glances of the two
cousins met for an instant Bertha's
Indifferent. dreamy, blue eyes, and
Esperance's eager, flashing brown
ones, looked full at each other then.
as IL by mutual consent, they both
urned away without further remark.
Mrs Mortlake made Esperanee sit
down. and poured her out a cup OF
lreadfully strong tea, which reminded
her forcibly of some Of Javotte's
tisanes, and while she was still trying
drink II without betraying her
disgust. the door opened and the
readed dean entered. He was
eally a beautiful old man. and Es-
! erance could not find 1t in her heart
: OF Ia cEn