Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-04
Won by w aiting.
EDNA LYALL.
EDNA LYALL.
Continued.

/ Indeed, miss, l hardly know what
| ought to say; but it seems a thou
sand pities to cut off such beautiful
hair as that"
Never mind" said Esperance,
flushing crimson, Il want money;
what will you let me have for it?''
The man examined it more criti-
cally, felt its weight, and again ad-
mired it. 1t was, indeed, very beau
tiful-long and thick, yet at the same
time both fine and glossy, the color
of the darkest shade of brown, while
a soft waviness, ending. in tendr Like
ringlets, added not little to it's
value. He thought for some minutes,
then said, Il would give five guineas
for it, miss. If it we're Hght-colored
it would be worth twice that, light
hair being fashionable. If you care
to part with it for five guineas,
| though, l will take it,"
Esperance did not hesitate a mo-
ment.
Thank you she said, eagerly
1--WE will settle it then" And with
out a shadow of regret she submitted
| to the hair-dresser' scissors, and
| thought of all that the five guineas
, would buy.
| In ten minutes all was done, and
/ Esperance, feeling rather cold and
| shorn, was walking back to the cathe-
! dral, contemplating the little pile Of
coins in her hand with great salts
faction The service over, she re-
turned to the deanery, and found af-
ternoon tea going on in the drawing
room. Mrs. Mortlake had just re-
turned from the missionary meeting;
George Palgrave and Bertha were
talking together by the window, Cor
nelia was pouring team unusual
thing-holding the teapot ungrace-
fully high, so that the tea frothed
into the cups.
"a very dull affair, indeed" Mrs.
MortIake was saying. "My father
actually went to sleep in his chair,
while a young converted Kaffer was
speaking through an interpreter
such creature-you should have seen
Why Esperance!" breaking off
suddenly, what in the world have
you done to yourself? Are you try
ing to initiate our Kaffer friend?"
Esperance laughed and colored, and
there was a general exclamation.
81 have had my hair cut, that is
ALL she said, quietly.
"Cut! Why, it is cropped all round
your head! What is the meaning OF
this extraordinary freak?"
81 thought I could do very we'll
without my hair, and I wanted 1t for
something else"
absurd! What have you done
with it?"
I 81 have sold it." said Esperance,
blushing, and wishing Mrs. Mortlake
would not be so inquisitive.
"Sold i'll" Even Bertha Joined in
the exclamation.
Mrs. Mortlake, however, was more
than surprised; an angry flush rose
to her cheek as she continued.
'You sold it in Rilchester? How
! could you think of doing such an i'm
prudent thing. 1t will be all over the
the place now, and every one will be
gossiping about you"
''il do not mind that" said Esper-
, ance.
"Of course not" said Cornelia,
coming to the rescue. THAT is the
most sensible thing that has been
said yet I'm sure I don't know why
you make such a fuss, Christabel."
cts a disgrace to the housed" said
Mrs. Mortlake angrily. ga most
unlady-like thing! and in a. small
place like this, where every one must
know! Why, all Rilchester will
| talk"
well, Esperance, the family seem
! to disagree about the matter" said
| Cornelia, calmly. For my part I
have never respected you so much
before
Esperance looked up gratefully.
! The unexpected kindness was well
come enough, and she was still more
! thankful when Cornelia quietly turned
the conversation away from the sub
feet altogether, and succeeded in en-
| crossing Mrs. Mortlake's attention.
/ AS soon as possible she slipped out
! of the room, and went to the nur-
/ sery to discuss ways and means with
Bella's nurse, and was soon so deeply
! engaged in the necessary calculations
! for a set Of shirts that she forgot the
! grievance Of the lost hair.
"a spirited little creature" said
! George Palgrave to Bertha: ''but what
| induced her to do such a thing?"
Probably to help her brother: he
is going out to Ceylon, you know"
"Will no one else help her? It
really is a hard case; I shall report
it to grannie'
well, that is not bad idea, for
! she is a favorite with grannie; but
I doubt if she will thank you for
begging for her-she is very proud"
"She must not know Of our inter-
vention," said George. What do
you say to a walk to the Priory this
J., EVENING""
cit would be too late after dinner;
: besides, we should have to take Es-
perance as third party; you forget
propriety and gossip"
Hang propriety! you and I ought
to be exempted from such a tiresome
thing; tomorrow morning, then, by
broad daylight" and he looked up,
persuasively.
Bertha colored.
Very well, On condition that you
do the begging" she said. George
willingly agreed, and the result was
| So c11cesSf11I that Esnera0ce found q