Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-01
Won by w aiting.
.+BYs
EDNA LYALL.

EDNA LYALL.

said, unable to understand that Esper
ance would far rather be at hom
with Gaspard.
George PaIgrave came up, however
before there was time for more, anC
she took his arm and hurried down
the steps looking radiantly 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.
We'll, cherie, where shall we go?
must have a 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 to Gaspard.
'Bien-aimee! what is it? You are
i'll, mon coeur.'
"I-I don't know" she sobbed. Il
wish it would all stop, am so tired"
Her ears were ringing with the
words Of Miss LowdelTs 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 a
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. He had found out
too many of her troubles already, and
she was determined that he should
go away we'll satisfied with Cornelia
u,
struggling brayely to conquer herself
and Gaspard, relieved, did not ques-
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 instinctively dwelt on old
times, and talked over their recollec-
| Of he
unheeded, and Gaspard was first
reused to look at the clock by finding
that, in brief silence, Esperance
had fallen asleep. It was long past
twelve, but he coud not bear to dis
turb her, and sat on, not at 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 little bitter as
he remembered that these most I'M
feminine cousins were her only rela-
tions, and as he watched her flushed
cheeks, and quick, uneasy breathing,
longed more than he had ever longed
DelOf9 IOI MS mOCn6T.
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 invective against
the dean, and the unrelenting hard
ness which had so preyed upon hi
mothers life.
The clock had just struck one
when he was startled by approaching
hot. | think, as you say, she has
footsteps, and the door was opened by
Cornelia. She was of course sur
prised to find her cousin still uD
Gaspard made a low-tored explana-
ton, and Cornelia, touched by the
very unwonted sight before her, was
unusually gracious.
Zone of the Miss Lowdells turned
faint, and l came home early with
her. l am sorry you and Esperance
had an interrupted evening"
II am afraid she is overtired, she
has been Shaving over my outfit,
said Gaspard, anxiously. 81 wish
could have left her better You
will know, Miss Collinson. surely she
is very hot and feverish? l wis
I knew what was wrong with her"
Cornelia felt her hand in a hesitat-
ing way, painfully conscious of her
own ignorance.
II know of nothing about illness,
she said, but certainly she is very
overtired herself
Gaspard's face only grew more trou-
bled, and Cornelia would have give
worlds for that womanly skill ana
wisdom which she felt the need Of 5
much. Their voices were making
Esperance restless, she moved hel
, arms uneasily, and talked in her sleep
at first unintelligibly, but afterwarG
with terrible distiEctness, though al
, ways in French. Cornelia and Gas
pard each received some wounds from
the unconscious tongue. Now it wa!
in relation to Gaspard's journey.
Tomorrow, tomorrow! How shall
I bear it? And yet it will be goo
for you, Gaspard."
Then again, with little convulsiy'
sobs between the words, 1T is so IA
away, so very far, and l am SO lonely
:, If only they would love me a little!"
By degrees she grew a little NOR
: quiet, and Gaspard looked up at Cor
nelia, great tears il his eyes.
Miss Collinson," he said, earnestly
she is all l have left; you will TAX
: care Of her"