Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-01
Won by w aitingg. |
SBYt
EDNA LYALL.


TO the nail, Wuefe sue lOluu bdS Pa q
with frigid politeness, helping Mrs.
Mortlake with her cloak. Cornel.a
counted heads in business-like way.
and marshaled her guests into the
carriages, walking about majestically
with her velvet dress tucked up, and
bestowing scornful pity on the young
er ladies with their trains OF tarlatan
and net After some trouble, Esper-
ance gathered up the last Of the
dresses, and the party set off, Bertha
turning back once more TO wish he
cousins goodnight.
81 wish you were coming, too, sh
said unable TO understand that Esper-
ance would far rather be at home
with Gaspard,
George Palgraye came up, however,
before there was time for more and
she took his arm and hurried down
the steps looking rad.antly happy
The footman closed the front door
and then turned to Esperance.
"If you please, miss, the dean
wished me to tell you that he is en-
gagged IN watching an eclipse Of the
moon, and there will be no family
prayers tonight.
Gaspard stroked his mustache TO
hide a smile,
well, cherie, where shall we go? !
must have few minutes with you
Esperance led the way to Cornelia's
study. but when the door was shut
her strength all at once deserted her;
she turned suddenly faint and giddy,
and chung sobbing 10 Gaspard
Bien-aimee' what is it? You are
in, mon occur"
IL don't know" she sobbed Il
wish 1t would all stop, am so tlred!"
Her ears were ringing with the
words of Miss Lowdelps song:
For men must work and women
must weep,
And the sooner It's over the sooner
to sleep"
Gaspard did not quite understand
her, but he saw that she was quite
worn out
you are tired darling and over
done" he said, gently. There.
come to your old place, and be
baby once more.
He took her on his knee. and made
her rest her head on his shoulder;
but the quivering, fearless sobs
alarmed him
Where are your tears gone to-
cherie-you used to have no lack?"
She tried to smile and remember
ing that he knew nothing Of Cornelia's
former sternness made an effort to
check her sobs, Tie had found out
too many of her troubles already. and
she was determined that he should
go away well satisfied with Coruelia
Il am better" she faltered. still
struggling bravely to conquer herself
and Gaspard relieved, did not uues-
ton her further but began TO talk OF
other things
There were still many matters to
be discussed. and on this last evening
they both instnctively dwelt on Old
times, and talked over their recouec-
lions of home The hours passed by
UNDECIDED and Gaspard was first
reused 10 look at the clock by finding
that ia brief silence. Esperanca
had fallen asleep, Ii was long rast
twelve but he cout not bear 10 dis
turb her and sat on, not al all sorry
for an excuse for not leaving her. He
was very uneasy now about going
away. Esperance seemed to him
thoroughly out OF health. and unfit
to be left In this forlorn. motherless
household He felt a little bitter as
he remembered that these most un-
feminine cousins were her only ra'a-
tons and as he watched her flushed
checks. and quick. uneasy breathing.
,onged more than he had ever Ionged
before for his mother.
As he recalled the dim vision of
tender gentleness and love treasured
up among his childish memories. he
might perhaps be forgiven for utter
ing one passionate lnyectiye against
the dean aud The unrelentiug hard
ness which had SO preyed upon hh
mothers life.
The clock had Just struck one
when he was startled by approaching
hot. I think. as yo'J say she has
footsteps and the door was opened by
CoruelIa. She was Of course sur
prisea % find her cousin sin I'D
Gosparl made low-touei eyplana-
ton and corneOia touched by the
very unwonte1 sight before her was
gracious
cone Of the Miss LowiolIs turned
faint and came home early with
her, lam sorry YOU and Esperaace
hal an Interrupted evening
81 am afraid she is overarei she
has been s'ayi.g over my OUTFIT"
said GasNrd auv.ously 1t wish T.
could have 'es, her better You
will know Miss Colllusou surely she
Is very hot and fever'sha I wis
I knew what was wrong with her
Corne'ia faH her hand d hssttat
Ing way painfully conscious of her
own ignorance.
~ know Of nothing about Illness I"