Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-12-01

|
| in the drawing room when that fear
seemed to tremble and yibrate, and
But Esperance interrupted her
Where is Cornelia?"
| No one knew.
And the dean!" said Mrs. I.owdell
Where is the DEAN"
The little crowd round the house
had increased, but the neighborhood
was so quiet and retired that 1t was
still small; there was a low, awed
murmur, as a dead silence followed
Mrs. Lowdells question.
Just then a light was seen within
, the hall; it approached slowly, and
Esperance gave q glad cry as she
discerned Cornelia carefully crossing
the pavement, which was strewn with
fallen beams and broken fragments of
glass. But as she came nearer her
fixed, ashy-white face put all rejoicing
TO flight, and fear made every one
speechless.
Claude went to meet her and first
broke the silence.
I'VE have been so anxious about
you!' he said, hurriedly. Il hope you
bring us news of the DEAN"
She turned her rigid face toward
him.
Il can not reach him He was in
the ante-room, close TO the observa-
tory, when we came down-the way is
impossible now!"
Some one must go up and find
him" said Mrs. Mortlake, and she
called the footman; but the danger
back reluctantly.
Claude left Cornelia then for mo-
ment, and drew Esperance a little
apart from the crowd.
Darling" he said, gently, Il must
see IL | can not help to find your uncle
Will you go back to baby? Mrs. Low
dell will go with you, am sure.
II can not go till you come down
again. said Esperance, trembling.
And oh, Claude, it will be so danger
Gus! Must you-need you go?"
He held her closely,
1t seems the only cnance, darling.
know the house thoroughly and am
young and strong The dean is a
feeble old man, | can not leave him
without help-you would not wish me
to do so.
NO, no." sobbed Esperance, you
must go, only let me wait here"
But the rain is so heavy--it is so
bad for you, and the storm Is not
over"
Il do not mind it--see, | do not
even start now at the lightning" she
pleaded. only let me stay here and
/ will be quite good and quiet--it
would be much worse for me to have
to CO."
He yielded to her entreaties, and
bending down, kissed her, caught her
hands in his, and said 10 low, hurried
tones, Pray for us, darling-and
trust"
"Yes," she replied, earnestly al
ways"
The last words passed her lips half
dreamily-she could not have given
her reason for adding II. The lamp
light fell fully on Claude's face now;
she looked up into his clear, grave,
blue eyes-one last, long look.-then
he stopped once more to kiss her,
wrapped her cloak more closely
round her, and walked hurredly
away. For a minute Esperance strain
ed her eyes to follow him in the dim
light. Some one brought him Ian
tern, he spoke few words to Cornella
and then walked UP the steps and
disappeared in the darkness, Her
head dropped then, and she leaned
against the lamp-post for support
waiting with folded hands and closed
eyes.
People gathered round her, and
talked hopefully, but she could not
heed them, she never raised her eyes
until a whispered remark reused
her-"Poor Miss Colllnson seems
quite stunned" Then she drew nearer
to the door where Cornelia was stand
ing, put her arm round her waist,
and held one of her cold hands in
hers CoInelia looked at her pityingly.
my poor child, you ought not to be
here"
1T will not hurt me, he told me |
might stay-we will wait together"
she replied.
Tell Christabel and the others TO
go under shelter somewhere" said
Cornelia, uttering the words with
difficulty.
Esperance obeyed, and Mrs. Mort
lake and the guests accepted the Of
fer of one of the minor canons, and
took refuge in the Wears Court.
Then Esperanee returned again to-
Cornelia, and the two women waited
in silence through minutes which In
their agony OF suspense seemed like
hours-waited in the pouring rain,
and the chill of the autumn night,
unheedful OF all around, each knowing
that the life most dear to her in the
world was in mortal danger.
There was an expectant hush: every
one was listening intently for some
sign which might tell OF Claude's suc-
cess. vet to Esperance 1t seemed az II
nn,,r4 10 hpFora hpan