Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-09

Claude knew that the Collinsons
! were particular favorites of hers
| Worthington Hall, Sir Henry's coun-
try house, was only two miles from
{ Rilchester, and the families were OF
course acquainted; he was, however
! not sure how far Lady Worthington
cared for the intercourse, and began
rather hesitatingly to ask what had
! long been in his mind.
Have you time and inclination to
add one other to your long list OF
proteges? Because, if so, little Made
molselle de Mabillon is the person OF
all others who is in need. She seems
quite miserable at the deanery'
Poor child" said Lady Worthing-
| ton, compassionately. 1T must in
deed be dreary house; tell me about
her.
,-erhaps this will tell you better
than Words said Claude, bringing
| forward his picture Accidentally her
| brother caught sight of that when he
was here, and l wish you could have
seen his face of grief and dismayi He
| says she used to be the brightest child
| imaginable.''
And that is really her likeness
such a young face, and so utterly
miserable! You have been exagger-
ating, Claude"
| Il am afraid not said Claude,
smiling. But that you will see when
! you are at Rilchester. You do not
think it bad return for your kind
ness to me, that l bring you fresh
! cases
! Lady Worthington laughed.
| ct is like the story of the man who
cured a lame dog, which, as soon as
it was well, ran away and brought
its lame friend. 1 shall be only
too glad, though, to help this
| little girl if I can; but the deanery is
terribly unapproachable house. I
wish I had known that young Mon
sieur de Mabillon; he must have
! thought me inconsiderate not to re-
call his fathers name. Where does
| he liye?"
In some wretched rooms at Pen
! tonville," answered Claude, wondering
if Gaspard, also, were to be adopted.
Il think l will drive round that way
| and just see him; he may have some
thing to send to his sister; and
feel sure Sir Henry would wish it..
Yes, I will certainly do so; he must
be home by this time. Then goodbye
for the present, Claude; you will let
us hear from you, will you not?
And remember that you must spend
Christmas with us at Worthington,
if you can, but don't refuse better
invitation"
Thank you, a thousand times
replied Claude, gratefully. For me
there could be no better"
Lady Worthington looked anxiously
at her watch as she drove away from
st. Johns Wood. 1t was very much
out of her way to visit Gaspard de
! Mabillon, and her last day in town
was, necessarily, a busy one, but now
that the idea had once entered her
head she would not give it up. Her
coachman, therefore, received orders
to drive fast to the address which
Claude had given, and being accus-
toned to her ladyship's freaks did
not even grumble, though a bad fog
was coming on, and the horses We're
already far from fresh.
Arrived at the bakers shop, and
having ascertained that M. de Mabil-
lon was at home, Lady Worthington
hastned in, and was shown upstairs
by the astonished 1andlady, who was
fairly daZZled by such an unexpected
advent as a carriage and pair, and a
lady in seal-skin and sables She
opened the sitting-room door, and
annouced the visitor with delighted
pomposity. Lady Worthington had
just time to see Gaspard standing by
the mantel-piece, his face buried in
his hands, before he hurriedly raised
his head and came forward, doing
the honors of his shabby little room
with a grave courtesy which pleased
his guest.
She began to explain her reasons
for coming.
Il was so afraid you would think
me rude. I did not recall your name
just now in Mr.. Magnay's studio:
neither my husband or I had the
least idea you were in London
I'VE came over in March, madame -
said Gaspard.
"Ah! so long ago as that? I wish
[ had known before. Both Sir Henry
and l knew your mother, as, perhaps,
you have heard. l hope you had
other friends in town, though, or you
! mus have had a cold welcome to
England"
We knew no one at first, madame;
but my sister went to Rilchester in
the summer to live with Dean Collin
son, our uncle replied Gaspard.
so Mr.. Magnay was telling me;
and I thought perhaps l might come
to see you, so that l might take the
last accounts of you to your sister
We live only two miles rom Riches
must have had a cold welcome to
her"
A thousand thanks, madame. you
are very good; and Esperance will be
very much pleased, l am sure
Lady Worthington was in too
great a hurry to waste words, she
went straight to her point.
Now will you tell me candidIy in
what way you think I can be of any
use to your sister? One might call