Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-04-28

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you were inquiring about, and one in
| think, be from the French astrona
a foreign-locAing hand, which might,
omer you correspond with.
Astronomy was Dean Collinson's
great hobby; his eyes kindled as he
took the envelope from his daughter
and opened it eagerly.
Can it be from Monsieur Grignon?
No, but it is in French-what is the
signature? Grignon never makes
those fiourishes; read me the name,
Cornelia."
"Gaspard de Mabillon," read Cor
nelia, with a slight elevation of her
eyebrows, but no comment.
De Mabillon," exclaimed the dean,
frowning. "Amy's husband, | sup
pose, What on earth does he write
about? Read me the letter, my dear
| never could endure a Frenchman' s
handwriting"
This must be from Monsieur de
Mabillon's SON. said Cornelia, CLAN
cling down the sheet. We'll, you
shall hear it," and with sufficient
fuency, but bad pronunciation, she
read Gaspard's letter.
The dean seemed to be struggling
with conflicting emotions: he did not
speak when his daughter ceased read
ing.
We'll, father, she asked, inquiring-
ly
They are Amy's children he said,
as If arguing with himself, but then
they are De Mabillons. This fellow
who writes is thorough De Mabil-
lon; | could have told it in mo-
ment
But it is a noble letter. you must
allow, father; so proud and yet SO
courteous, the favor spoken of so
nicely, though one can see it was an
effort, and then that alluson to his
mother in such perfect taste!'
The dean was decidedly influenced
by his daughters words; his brow re-
Taxed a little as he asked, Then how
am | to help them?"
Soitlilid tiouShh LII Il lIililhlt.
Gould you get the boy some stu
alton? That is evidently what he
hopes for"
Difficult, very; particularly at this
time" sighed the dean Possibly
Sir Henry might help him to some
thing, but ! could not think of troub-
ling him now, during the session; be-
sides, | hate asking favors."
so does this poor cousin of ours,
APPARENTLY" said Cornelia, glancing
again through Gaspard's letter, her
rather severe face softened by pity.
Il would rather help the little girl
in some way" said the dean; "she
will be more like her mother; this
French. Yes, decidedly, the little
girl must be relieved; he speaks of
her suffering still from the effects of
the siege"
AS the dean warmed with his sub
ject, Cornelia's interest vsibly de-
clined.
You would not send her to school,
surely?" she asked, a little inpatient
ly
NO, not to a school; / do not ap-
prove of a school for girls. No, we
will offer her a home here. She is
my own sisters child, and she shall
be welcome, though, remember, Cor
nelia. | most strongly disapproved of
your aunt Amy's marriage, most
strongly"
And you were quite right, as
events have proved" replied Corne-
liza, composedly. Her children are
bearing the penalty of her wilfuIness.
Shall you write to-day?
Eyes, | suppose it mnst be to-day"
sighed the dean. These letters cost
me great deal of trouble, and waste
my time sadly; but | suppose it had
better be written to-day. lou will
tell Christabel and Bertha but save
me any further discussion upon the
subject"
Cornelia. promised that his wishes
should be attended to, and left the
room; whereupon the dean hastily
readjusted his spectacles, tossed
aside the unwelcome letters, and was
soon deeply engrossed in his astro.
nomical labors.
Cornelia did not judge II prudent
to tell her sisters OF the proposed
change in their family till the letter
was written and posted She was
not quite sure how they would take
their fathers most unprecedented
plan. She herself was not wholly
pleased with it, but she would have
scorned any attempt to turn him from
his purpose, and, with her usual
stern sense of duty. resolved to make
the best OF it 10 Christabel and Ber-
.ha.
Christabel Mortlake, the deans
second daughter, had returned to her
fathers house as a widow some
years before She was, in some SEN
ses. the head of the house and all the
actual housekeeping fell to her share;
but Cornelia. who was both clever
and strong minded was the real rul-