Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-06

the whole, Mrs. MOrtlake DID mo-
feel the better for her summer out.
ing, and as she sat in the breakfast
room at the deanery one sunny Sep
TENDER morning, her face bore {
more than usually dissatisfied eX-
preston. She was waiting for heI
father and Cornelia, and, although
the gong had twice sounded, and the
breakfast was growing cold, they
still fingered over their letters in the
library. Mrs. Mortlake, with grow
ing dissatisfaction, cut the leaves OF
tie Guardian" and read the list OF
preferments, glanced through the
topics Of the week, skinned the cor
respondence, counted the number OF
ladies wanting cooks, yawned repeat
eddy, and finally, with an impatient
exclamation, rose and crossed the
hall to the library to demonstrate
with the dean.
MY dear father, breakfast has been
ready for half an hour she said, in
a reproachful tone. Surely these
letters can wait
Cornelia looked up; her face wore
startled, agitated expression.
What is it, Christabel? Break
fast, did you say? Yes, I will come.
You would like a cup Of tea in here,
quietly, would you not?" she said,
turning to the dean.
, He assented, but did not look up,
and Christabel, full of curiosity,
| FASTENED back to the breakfast-room,
wondering what bad news the post
| could have brought. She fancied it
must be in some way connected with
the De Mabillons; no doubt her ia
ther would feel it God deal now
if either Gaspard or Esperance met
with any disaster, but, after all, need
he reproach himself? He had been
very liberal, and they were only
cousins. Children and grandchild-
rem certainly ought to be the first
| consideration.
| She had made so sure that the
, trouble was connected with her cous-
ms, that she was doubly startled by
Cornelia's abrupt utterance as she
came into the room, closing the door
behind her.
well, Christabel, 1 don't know
what is to be done; George Palgrave
has proposed to Bertha"
"To Bertha!" exclaimed Mrs. Mort
lake; "how altogether absurd. He
allow it."
con the contrary" said Cornelia,
they don't seem to have the least
idea that he will object. George
writes very properly, apologizing for
having spoken to Bertha before he
mad asked fathers leave, and explain
irg how it was that he was betrayed
into a confession of his love before
he had intended. 1t seems that he
went to see grannie at st. Leonards,
and found Bertha staying there; they
were a great deal thrown together,
and you know what grannie is when
she gets young people with her, she
did nothing but plan excursions for
them, and kept George hanging about
the place, till this was the result"
What will father do?"
He can only write to George, and
refuse his consent. Bertha, poor
child, must come home at once; l am
afraid we have been partly to blame
in this, we ought to have spoken to
her in the summer, only of course I
always thought she looked upon him
as sort of substitute for a brother"
"Of course" said Mrs Mortlake
II have no patience with her, she
must have known that my father
would never tolerate such a thing.
A poor man and a cousin-prepos-
| teIOusi"
do not be hard on her." said Cor
nelia, pityirgly: 81 feel as if it
were all my fault for not speaking to
her, and now she will have such SCR
row, poor child"
! Cornelia was unusually tender
hearted this morning; she was think
ing of an episode in her own life,
years and years ago, when love and
| happiness had seemed just within her
reach, and had been suddenly snatch
ed from her, leaving her chilled aDC
| imbittered. Her heart ached for poor
Bertha.
Mrs. Mortlake was more angry
than pitiful.
1--WE have Esperance to thank for
this" she said, in her vexed voice
mo doubt it was all brought on by
that visit to the Palgraves in the
summer. I knew no good would ever
come of it, when my father adoD'
that child
That is sheer nonsense said Co
nelia, in her abrupt way. 1.-THE only
thing l do regret a little is, that you
have taken away Esperance's attic
and put her in Bertha's room-the
child will want to be alone"
On the contrary, l think it will be
very good or her to have com
panion; Esperance's chatter will keep
her from brooding over her troubles;
besides I asked her in my last letter
ano she made no objection. The at.
tic makes a capital play-room fol
Bella"
Cornelia did not care to continue
the conversation, and soon lett IL
table to begin the difficult task 0.
writing to Bertha, which Mrs. Mort
lake altogether declined.
Bertha came home the next day
and early in the following week Els
perance also returned. Frances Ne
? vile was coming back with the child
rem to Worthington, so she was able
to take her home in her carriage
Esperance had made up her mind tt
: be very brave-she had even per
IaT 81 1~of yx-ic o0f