Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-07-21

think that she was happy and con-
tented, when in truth she was miser-
able? And yet those thankful words
at parting were worth suffering for;
if she had denied herself the relief Of
complete outpouring of her heart it
had at least gained peace of mind for
him. had taken something from his
many troubles But there her self
control gave way, and the long pent-up
tears burst forth as she thought OF the
many priyations he had tried unsuc-
ccssfully to hide from her.
The dean was engrossed in his
newspaper at the further end of the
carriage; moreover, he was a little
deaf; but from the all-observing Cor
Inelia nothing could be concealed
She had been prepared for few nat
ural tears, but when the long-drawn,
quiyering sobs continued, and even
grew more violent, she thought it
time to Interfere and began a low
tened but decided remonstrance.
My dear Esperance do control
yourself; it is SO childish to go on
this way; you weaken your whole
character by it,
1t was very true, no doubt, but she
was past being reasoned with-what
did her character signify when Gas
pard was starving? So she sobbed on,
while Cornelia scolded without any
effect until at last, alarmed at the in
creasing paleness of Esperances face,
she asked suddenly the startled mat
ter-of-fact question, Have you had
any dinner?'
A half-impatient "Nc" was the an
sWcr.
What! nothing at all since the
morning?"
Some coffee, sobbed Esperance.
still impatiently
You foolish child. then of course
you are faint with hunger. Why can't
you take proper care Of yourself?'
Do you think l would not rather
bear that than take anything from
Gaspard?" said Esperance, indigna-
ton for a moment checking her tears.
You rich people have no conception
what real poverty means, would you
have me take care Of myself, when he
has been starving for months on
bread and eau sucre?"
is that really a fact?' asked Cor
nelia, greatly shocked, while the dean,
hearing an unusual noise, looked up
from his paper and bent forward to
listen. Esperanoe was just sufficient
ly alive to feel that a crisis had
Gene, with an effort she raised her
self, grasped the arm Of the seat, and
choking back her tears, said. Il
have done wrong, Cornclia; he would
not wish any one to know of his
priyations; pray forget what | said"
Il can make no such promise"
said Cornelia, coldly; besides, If, as
l infer, this is really true, it is not a
thing to be forgotten
Esperance had fallen back to her
former position, but through her tears
Cornelia caught the words. "He would
not like-more obligations"
Perhaps her yeXation at this ac-
counted for the very severe way in
which she administered wine from a
HdSk 10 ESperdnCe.
Now pray drink this and stop
cying at once; if you had 1.-THE of
your brothers powers of endurance,
this would not have happened"
1t was certainly neither compli-
mcntary nor consoling, but Esper-
ance's loving nature was more pleased
by the reference TO Gaspard's virtues.
than stung by the reproach to herself.
She swallowed the wine, revived
little, dried her eyes. and covered
Gown into her corner, where she soon
fell asleep
Cornelia sat watching her gravely;
stern and unsympathetic as she had
seemed, her heart was really touched
and Espcrauce's outburst. with its
pride and pathos. had awakened her
compassion. She was genuinely sorry
for the poor child but to let this ap-
pear in word or deed seemed to her
impossible and after the salutary
scolding she had administered. she
would not change her tactics; so that
il was not until Esperance was
fast asleep, that she undid her cloak
straps, and spread a warm shawl over
her
Then she moved to the seat beside
the dean and began in her business
like way, Father, l wish you would
help that poor boy to some work, he
looks so i'll. Do you not know OF
something he could do in Rilchester?
Did | not hear that the Librarian want
ed some copying done?"
I've do not want him at Riches
ter said the dean. a little sharply.
II have had foreigners to my house
once too often; We don't want your
poor aunt Amy's story acted over
again"
"Bertha.' exclaimed Cornelia, ooh.
that could never be; he is a mere boy.
too"
A thorough De Mahllon,9 said the
dean. The very image Of his father.
manners and all; a substratum Of
. GVfIA