Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-25
Continued.

Just then one OIL the MISS LOWueliS
came in, and Mrs. Mortlake was i'm
mediately all smiles and graciousness
while Esperance hurried out of the
room, wondering what her cous 4
meant by this last speech, and full OF
Indignation at her meanness and III
justice.
The cathedral service quoted her,
however, and she resolved that Cas-
pard should hear nothing of it. She
knew quite well that many of the
disagreeables of her life could not be
concealed from him, but whenever 1t
was possible to throw a veil over her
petty sufferings, she would do So.
The day, in consequence, passed hap
PLY and satisfactorily, and in spite of
Mrs Mortlake's Interruptions Esper-
ance saw a great deal of Gaspard,
thanks TO the privacy of Ccrnelia's
study The evening, too, went we'll,
and though the dean evidently dis
liked Gaspard, yet he was quite civil,
and George Palgrave good-naturedly
threw himself into the breach ana
managed to keep his uncle in a good
dinnertable. Later on, in the draw
.ng-rOOm, CoTnelia tried to make up
for the family GOODNESS by drawing
Gaspard out as to his prospects in
Ceylon, and making many really
kind-hearted inquiries about his pre-
vious life, and so far succeeded that
he learned really to like her, and felt
less unhappy in leaving Esperance
at the deanery.
CoTnelia's heart had been touched.
Ever since the day when travelling
back from London she had witnessed
Esperance's passion of love and sor-
row, she had been softened, had
loved her little cousin, and taken
real interest in something outside the
walls of her study. Harsh and sar-
castle as she often seemed she was
really anxious to do what was kind
and right; from the first her dislike
Of Esperance had never descended TO
meanness like Mrs. MortIake's, and
now her goodwill was real and
hearty, though her natural reserve
gave her, when she least wished it. an
appearance Of GOODNESS.
Mrs Mortlake, as she came to bio
her sister goodnight, unwarily allud-
ed to the incident of the candles,
whereupon CorneIia was at once uD
in arms.
You mean to say you had the
stinginess to grudge them to herr"
My dear, it is not SO much the ex-
7 t1,Ir vxr|0 1pI
habit for a girl of seventeen to sit up
night after night No doubt she
often dropped asleep over her work;
it is a wonder we have not had the
house burned down, I'm sure"
You are very prudent, certainly"
said Cornelia, with a smile; land
how does she mean to finish Gas
pard's outfit?"
How should I know" replied Mrs.
Mortlake, with affected carelessness:
'she will not finish it by candle-light,
that is all I care about"
$50 it seems. Well, she shall at
least have the opportunity of finish
ing it by lamp-light," said Cornelia,
maiestically.
Mrs. Mortlake gave an inarticulate
sound of annoyance; but Cornelia,
with a cold good night, took her little
reading-lamp in her hand, and
mounted the stairs to the attic with
out another word of explanation.
To her surprise she found Esper-
ance already in bed.
ooh, I am just too late" she said,
regretfully 81 thought perhaps,
you would like my lamp to work by.
Christabel has just been telling me
about this absurd fuss" Esperance
looked up with gratitude in her tired
eyes.
How kindly of you to think Of it;
| was wondering how I could get
Gaspard's things done in time;
meant to get up early"
THAT would be better for you than
sitting up" said Cornelia; indeed
you do not look fit for anything to-
night" And she looked with some
anxiety at Esperance's flushed
cheeks, and the purple rings round
her eyes. How much more have you
to do?"
Esperance pointed to a formidable
pile of work on her table, and Corne-
liza scrutinized the unsight1y holes
with an Impractical eye, and Won
dered if any skill could really mend
them. 81 almost wish I knew how t.
darn she said. thoughtfully. There
must be more here than you will get
through"
mo, not if I wake in time said
Esperance, confidently.
q will fetch you my alarm" said
Cornelia, and she hurried away, re-
turning in a few minutes with a
little French alarm clock. What
time shall I set it for?"
-Four o'clock. please; the sun viii
have risen by then" said Esperance
watching her cousins movements will
languid interest.
What, four hours work befor
breakfast! must you really have 81
long?" exclaimed CorneIia.
1T is what I have always taken
said Esperance. ''The time goes s.
quickly when one works, you know
Cornelia did not know. for she rarel
touched a needle. but she was goo
seal shocked whe~ she heard Of tn
length of those nightly vigils, an
touched by the thought of the low
which had prompted them.
My dear" she said, gently. "yo
will promise me not to sit up again
get up tomorrow morning if 70