Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-07-14


for drives in her little pony-carriage
and talked in French as much as she
pleased.
Mrs. Mortlake, 1t Is true, was fond Of
making unpleasant illusions to Es-
perance's new friend and Cornelia
,ndulged in few sarcasms at her ex-
pense bat Esperance could endure
this as long as she was allowed still
10 see Frances.
soon after Christmas, Bella had q
sharp attack of bronchitis, and was
so much pulled down by 1t that as
soon as the mild February days began
it was decided that she should be ta-
ken to the south. Accordingly Mrs.
Mortlake, with Esperance as COM
panion and help, went down to
Bouremouth with the fractions little
invalid. 1t was not a lively prospect
certainly, and Esperance regretted
leaving Rlchester while the Wor-
thingtons were still at home, know
ing that by the time they returned in
the spring, the Hall would be empty
and deserted. Had it not been for
the delicious sea air, and the change
OF scene, she could hardly have
borne the ceaseless fret of her life.
Bella was both cross and trouble
some. and Mrs. Mortlake being anX-
ious and harassed, and at times ra-
Their dull, was more fault-tinding and
wearisome than usual
Frances Neville's good counsels,
and still more her example were how
ever fresh in Esperance's mind, and
she struggled hard against the de-
spondency and fretfulness which were
now her chief temptations, and at
last her reward came. Toward the
end of their stay at Bournemouth
one rainy, dismal afternoon, when
Bella had been more provoking than
ever, letter arrived from Dean
Collinson to Mrs. Mortlake, with news
which made Esperance almost fran
tic with delight.
My father proposes meeting us
London" said Mrs. Mortlake, calmly.
He says:
'Corelia and | intend TO come up
to town next Tuesday the day you
fixed for your return, and if you will
leave Bournemouth by an early train,
| will see you across London; in the
afternoon we have an engagement
Cornelia suggests that your cousin
might like to see her brother on the
way through, In which case she can
return with N BY q later train
Esperance uttered half dozen ex-
carnations in French--then, recover
ing her senses, went on more quietly
in English.
How very good of them to think
of it. To see Gaspard once more!
aud so SOON too, scarcely week; it
seems too good to be true!"
1T will be very tiresome for me to
have to take Bella home all alone"
said Mrs. Mortlake, you have no con-
sideration"
Luckily, Esperance's delight was too
deep to be much affected by this wet
blanke, nor did she suffer from any
pangs of conscience at her desertion
ot BELLA Gaspard must stand first;
and she was in such spirits, that she
even turned Mrs. Mortlakes complaint
into a sort of compliment, and made
herself believe that she liked it,
How long that week seemed! Yet
the anticipation was so delightful
that she could afford to wait patient
ly, ana she went aboutthe house with
such a radiant face, that Mrs. Mort
lake, in spite of herself, was touched.
At length the great day came.
Early in the morning the first start
was made, and without a shadow of
'elre'-her heart was too full of Joy
for that -Esperance babe farewell to
Bournemouth, to the sea, to the pine
woods, to the sands. and, In an &C.
stasy OF happiness, counted the min
utes till their arrival.
1t was curious to be met by such
quiet. uninterested people as the dean
and Cornelia and little hard to be
quite attentive enough to cloaks and
umbrellas. But at length all was
happily over, the drive across Lon
don accomplished, and Mrs Mortlake
ltll WIN NOIuclld at lut SldllOu "
await her train, while the dean him
self escorted Esperance TO Gaspard'
rooms
Perhaps had she not been so happy
she would have cared more about the
bakers shop. and the shabby longings
which would probably shock her I'M
Gle; but she had not a thought to
share for any one but Gaspard, and
sprung from the cab without the
least ditlidence, running into the shop
with all speed TO shake hands with
the landlady and leading the aston
shed and dismayed dean up the dark
narrow staircase. In another mo-
ment a door on the first landing was
quickly opened. and Esperance, with a
cry of joy, flew into Gaspard's arms,
while the dean, shading his eyes with
his hand, looked on bewildered but
half touched. Eperance soon re
membered her uncle, and disengaging