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

collOQulal AND vulgar.
Lady Worthington came rather less
reluctantly than usual to the dean
for she had special designs on Esper-
ance, and her successful maneuvering
on the former occasion had given her
confidence. When the ladies returned
to the drawing-room after dinner, she
lost no time in seeking her protegee,
whom she found trying hard to make
conversation between two young Ia
dies who were very stiff and mono
syllable.
Esperance, delighted at any inter
ruption, received Lady Worthington' s
cordial greeting with a radiant face,
and inquired after Frances Neville,
her quaint demure manner a little
belied by the eageress Of her express
sion.
"She has been poorly all this
week." said Lady Worthington
But she is much better to-day; she
asked me to tell you that she has
been looking up her French, and is
very eager to have a good talk with
you. Will you come and see her
some day?'
Thank you a thousand times: it
would be such a pleasure said Es-
perance, delightedly.
Just then Mrs. Mortlake came to
take possession of the chair next to
Lady Worthington, taking hold Of
her hand, detained her
Il was just telling Esperance how
much Frances wants to see her; it
is the delight of her life to have some
one to talh French to-"
Yes, | knew Miss Neville's sympa-
thies were all with the French; [ re-
member what arguments we used to
have during the Franco-Prussian
war" said Mrs. Mortlake.
Lady Worthington felt quick
movement in the hand she was hold
ing, and hastily turned from the
subject.
Now, when Frances gave me her
message, a scheme came into my
head by which 1 shall come in for
share of the enjoyment; will you no.
come over some day next week, Mrs.
Mortlake, bringing Esperacne with
you, then she and Frances can have
their talk together, and you and I
shall be secure of tete-a-tete"
Mrs Mortlake was fattered, and
gave a ready consent. An afternoon
was fixed, and Esperacne, as she
went away to do her duty toward the
two young ladies, felt that any
amount of dullness could be endured
with such a pleasure in prospect.
Lady Warrington, too, was satisfied
with her success, and late as it was
on her return could not resist going
to her sisters room to tell her Of it.
She found her already in bed, and
with some compunction for disturb
ing her, would have gone away again.
Don't CO." said Frances, appeal
ingly. Tn not the least sleepy-my
neuralgia is raging. Tell me about
your party"
"Oh, a very dull affair indeed-a
regular dean and chapter dinner,
with great array of canons and
canonesses. Henry looked quite
worldly in his dress clothes among
the omber clerics."
How was ESperance"
"She looked much better. Certainly
that French animation is very
charming was immensely ia
ken with her and insists that she
was better dressed than any one in
the room, and though there was
nothing more than white muslin, and
dainty arrangement of ivy sprays,
| really think that he is right.
"The art of dressing is born in
French women. certainly. But when
is she coming here?"
Next Tuesday afternoon, and Mrs.
Mortlake, too and Henry talks OF
getting up fireworks for the child
rem that night, so that we may per-
suade her to stay. Our triumph will
be complete"
"Of course, now that you have ia
ken an NJ P. into your counsels,'
said Frances, laughing.
Tuesday afternoon was as fine as
could be wished; the sun, which fol
some days had scarcely penetrated
the fog, shone brightly, and the ali
was deliciously clear and frosty. Es
perance could not conceal her happi
ness. and INDUCED in a rhapsod,
which did not fail to attract Mrs
Mortlake's disapproval.
What a perfect day, Christabel
we could not have had a better
could we? Just look at the sky!
do believe we have had the last c
those dreadful fogs. How good
was of Lady Worthington to invit
US! Is she not the most kind-hearte
of people?"
Yes, certainly, Lady Worthingto
is good-natured; but my dear Espel
ance, please do not take to runnin
after people with handles to the
names-nothing is so vulgar
II do not understand you" said E
perance, puzzled by the idiom, bl
coloring crimson at the last word.
Il mean that nothing shows sue
bad taste as any eagerness to becon
familiar with those in a higher ST
ton than yourself; nothing is so co
temptible as a laundering after nobil
ty."
Esperance blushed still more dee
~, but there was dangerous light
her eyes as she answered, THAI
you for warning me, Christabel, b
in the present instance it was unne
essary; we, too, are of the noblesse
Mrs. Mortlake looked blankly {
tonished for a moment: then, seei