Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-28


him, offering him a salary Of f100 a
year to begin with, and a prospect of
speedy advancement. Then came
Gaspard's letter Of thanks to the dean,
written in English, and this failed to
awaken Esperanee's feelings, for she
could not realize that it was his
writing at all Lastly, there was the
little inclosed envelope directed to
herself, which she opened eagerly,
and read through Installing tears.
My very dear one,-I have been
offered a very good post on a coffee
plantation in Ceylon, by a friend of
Dean Collinson. 1 thought long be-
fore accepting it, for I can not endure
the thought Of leaving you alone in
England, but at last l have made up
my mind to do it. 1t seems wrong to
refuse such an offer, and you see,
mon caeur, the sooner 1 begin to
earn something, the sooner your exile
will end. Perhaps in three or four
years you will be able to join me in
Ceylon, and we shall be independent
once more. This is worth all sacri-
! flee and all present pain to my mind.
Am | wrong in thinking that you will
agree with me? How l wish we could
have talked it over together! These
letters are terribly unsatisfactory
things. The whole affair is such a
mixture of pain and relief that l
hardly know how to support it. 1
shall, indeed, only be too thankful to
be at work again, but the separation
from you, cherie, will be well-nigh
unbearable-''
Unbearable! Yes, indeed! Esper-
ance could read no further, and
throwing aside the letter, she buried
her face in her hands, sobbing unre-
STRANGELY. To be away from Gas
pard-thousands of miles away-with
vague hope held out to her of see
ing him again in three or four years!
How was it to be endured? Was life
worth having when it was so full Of
pain?
In the midst of this outbreak, Cor
nelia opened the door, full of anxiety
to know how Esperance liked the
new idea. She made a gesture of
annoyance when she saw her lean
ing on the DEANS writing table, her
face hidden, and the open letter
pushei aside. Why must French peo-
pie always be having scenes"
Tears were so contemplate and weak
in Cornelia's opinion, she could no:
sympathize with sorrow that found
such an outlet.
why are you crying in this way?"
she asked, coldly. Come, pray con-
troll yourself; you are gett ng quite
hysterical.'
Esperance raised her head, and
made an effort to check her sobs II
Cornelia would only have taken her
in her arms, would have given her
but one caress, or said one kind word,
the relief would have been unspeak-
able: as it was her GOODNESS only ad
ed to pain already almost intolerable.
1t had the effect she desired, how
ever, of forcing Esperance to con-
troll herself, though, whether the I'M
schooled herself was really good for
ner. is doubtful.
How is it that you are so incon-
sistent?' asked Cornelia. ga month
ago you were crying because your
brother had no work. and now that
he has met with a good appointment
you are crying again"
"The separation" said poor Esper-
ance, afraid of breaking down again
if she said too much.
Nonsense! why you are separated
now practically; it is only a question
of thousands of miles instead of hun
dreds. Besides, how selfish to think
of that, when it is for his good"
It was very true, no doubt, but Es-
perance was too sore-hearted to find
much comfort in this; moreover, all
Cornelia said, though intended to be
sanitary, made the wound deeper,
and the idea Of being left behind in
England more terrible. To be left
misunderstanding utterly alonei
She could not even cry now her
tears seemed to be scorched up, her
eyes felt hot and dry and even Cor
nelia could not have desired anything
more controlled than the voice which
asked, in an ODD, unnatural tone
when does Mr.. Seymour go?"
"At the end of June, I believe; that
will be just a month from now. Your
brother had better see about his out
fit at once"
What kind of outfit do they re-
quire?" asked Esperance, wondering
how it was to be obtained, and turn
ing almost willingly to this practical
difficulty, in the hope of sitting the
pain.
II have not the least idea, but pro-
badly Mr.. Seymour will have told
him all about that; does he not tell
you in his letter." and Cornelia
glanced at the closely written sheet
which lay before her.
Esperance took it up and read to the
end, and there, sure enough, was the
formidable list of necessaries sug-
gested by the coffee-planter, but
which Gaspard looked upon as so i'm
possible to obtain that he mentioned
them half laughingly. She was
greatly perplexed.
''We1?" asked Cornelia.
Yes, he speaks of it, she replied,
slowly. But l do not much under
stand such things; 1 am still only
very young
The combination of adverbs Offend
ed Cornelia's ear, but she was touched
by the pathos of the confession.
There was something weary in the