Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-27
Won by w aiting.
EDNA LYALL.



iproach to sentiment, and Bertha
could not realize that the interview
spoken of in such a business-like
way was a clandestine meeting, or
if the thought did occur to her she sti-
fed it at once. George was in Ril-
chester at that very minute, and that
evening she might-she must, see
him. 1t was all decided in a moment;
she dared not stop to think; she dis
regarded all the arguments against
such step, while a train of argu-
ments in favor of it passed rapidly
through her brain; she was of age
she had right to rule her own &C.
tions; George was her cousin, why
should she not speak to him for a few
moments? If it was in a secret way
that was only because he had been
forbidden to come to the house-ft
was her fathers fault not hers. The
idea having been once admitted, she
began to feel that life would be in
tOlerable without just this one meet
ing, and remembered with terror her
startled exclamation on opening the
letter. Had Esperance noticed it?
She glanced across the room and felt
relieved, for Esperance was smiling
over her own letter in happy uncon-
seriousness, looking so bright and in
nocent that Bertha felt sharp sting
| of remorse, as she contrasted that
happiness with her own excited, half
terrified pleasure. While she was
still musing Esperance looked up.
"Such long letter, Bertha, and do
you know, Gaspard's salary is to be
raised!"
| Bertha murmured something like a
congratulation, and left the room
abruptly, avoiding Esperance for the
rest Of the afternoon, for fear she
should allude to that exclamation
which she might have heard.
Never had the hours seemed so long
as on that day. Bertha was miser-
ably restless and frightened, but she
did not waver. Soon after nine in
the evening she excused herself on the
plea of having some copying to do,
and stole away to the dining-room,
wishing she had not been so conscious
that she was doing wrong. She light
ed a candle, shut the door, and for a
few minutes made some pretense Of
writing; then she softly drew aside
the shutters, opened the French win
dow, and looked out into the dusky
garden. The night was fine, but cold
She shivered a little as the fresh
breeze played upon her burning
| cheeks; the cathedral clock chimed a
quarter past nine, and she started
with sudden fright, then recovering
herself trembled to think that she
was guiltily afraid of being discov-
cred. For moment she hesitated-
her hand was raised to close the win
dow. Should she not, even now, give
up this stolen pleasure? But while
she paused a dark figure stole silently
across the lawn; it was too late! The
I next moment her hand was clasped IN
| her cousins, and the power of willing
anything seemed to have passed from
her. In the draWing-rOom the dean
had fallen asleep over his paper. Cor
nelia read volume of the Bride
water Treatises," and Mrs Mort1ake
talked snappishly to Esperance. 1t
was very dull; Esperance caught
herself yawning repeatedly, and she
was not sorry when her cousin was
reused to an expression of annoyance.
Really, if you're so sleepy, you
had better go to bed; perhaps it would
wake you up to go to the dining
room and fetch me my book of knit
! ting receipts
Esperance gladly hailed the oppor-
tunity of escaping from the hot draw
! ing-roOm, and walked leisurely across
! the hall, indulging in fantastic arm
exercises on the way to relieve her.
! self; then she opened the dinirg-room
door, and a little cry Of establishment
escaped her as she saw Bertha in
her white dress standing by the open
window. Bertha herself started vio-
lently, and hastily moved back into
the room.
'Oh, you are doing the copying,
said Esperance, recollecting; but Ber-
tina in her fright fancied that she
spoke satirically. She resolved to
brave it out, however.
Yes, l am very busy; do you want
anything?"
Only Christabel's knitting book, "
said Esperance, and she made haste
to find the book and left the room,
seeing that Bertha did not wish to be
interrupted.
AS soon as the door had closed, Ber-
tina turned again to the window.
Il am sure she suspected some
thing" she whispered. "Oh, George
we must not risk it; Esperance is SO
sharp, and she will put them on the
right clew Directly"
IF there is any chance of that, you
must find some means of getting her
out of the way. Could you not get
grannie to invite her?'
George spoke in low, authoritative
, tones; Bertha's brief, terrified whis-
, pers were evidently in subsection
, She had always bowed implicitly tc
his judgment.
Stay, l have an idea,' he said, at.
: ter silence, and then ensued a long
whispered dialogue, Bertha agreeing
r in Misunderstanding tones to all the prop
ositiOns. The chimes struck again
:, they counted the notes breathlessly
1t was quarter to ten; George hur
riedly took leave, and Bertha closed
the window, tremblingly put away
her writing materials, and returned
= to the drawing-room. But her hear
:, suddenly failed her when she saw tn,
others sitting so naturally at thei
-. work, and she felt a deep pang of re