Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-11-17

] III.
| OF The long-dormant womanly ten
derhess winch had been awakened at
| the time of her Illness. Reserved she
must always be, but no longer with
/ the cold suspiciousness of former
times.
Esperance quite understood those
rev words. and answered them with
such gratitude for the love which she
herself had stimulated, and such Law
lsh endearments, that Cornelia could
not help feeling deeply touched. After
that they talked for good half hour
| about Claude, by which time Es-
peranee was quite herself again and
ready to take the greatest possible in
terest in the arrival of the Hender-
sons and Nine. Lemercier.
The 9th of January dawned gloomi
ly enough; it was one of those still,
cold winter days, when not a ray of
1 sunlight seems able to pierce the
/ gray, cloudy atmosphere. The
Rilchester people looked suspiciously
at the sky, and quoted the proverb
| about the bride whom the rain falls
on, and even the family at the dean
cry felt depressed except indeed the
little bride herself Nothing could
affect her happy serenity that day.
Frances and Nine. Lemercer helped
I to dress her in the Indian muslin
which Gaspard had sent home, re-
lieyed by its pretty trimming of
[ aIry-light swan s-down, and tiny
/ sprays Of myrtle and orange blossom.
/ II was a little too simple TO please
Nine. Lemercier too much like a
dress for a premiere communion,
cherie.' she explained.
II don't think 1t need be any better
than that dear Madame" said Es-
/ perance, simply
Nine. Lemercier hardly understood
the remark, but she expressed COM
plete satisfaction when the tiny
wreath and veil of tulle were added,
and declared that the tout ensemble
was perfect when Claude's bouquet of
Christmas roses and maiden-hair was
brought upstairs-he had arranged it
himself, and would not admit any
other flower.
For a few minutes she was left
alone then, when the last party of
guests had started for the cathedral,
she went quietly downstairs to the
drawing room, expecting to find her
uncle there, The room was empty.
however; she waited till the carriage
was announced then feeling just lit
tie forlorn, she crossed the hall and
knocked at the library door
The dean was bending over a great
dusty volume.
Oh! Is it time, my dear?" he said,
looking up. IN just finish this page,
and perhaps you would see to that"
He held up a white glove which
had lost a button, and she took it
obediently, and ran to look tor her
work-boX. In spite of the hndrance
of trembling fingers, the glove was
ready for the dean long before he was
ready for it; however, at last he did
get up, carefully placed a marker in
his book, adjusted his white tie, put
on the gloves. and turned to his niece
with little bow.
Now, my dear, | am at your SER
vice"
For a moment she felt an unutter-
able longing for her father, but she
would not allow herself to be really
chilled by the deans frigid manner,
knowing that he intended to be kind.
She lifted up her face to be kissed,
and then allowed herself to be led in
silence to the carriage The dean was
very absent that morning; he NUT
tered TO himself about somebody's
comet which was expected and made
numerous little calculations during
the drive Esperance said nothing,
but held her Christmas roses tightly
and wondered whether Gaspard were
thinking Of her.
Then they reached the west door OF
the cathedral, and the dean suddenly
rousing himself gave her his arm, and
led her into the nave. The gloom was
intense, and the darkness and awe of
the building would have chilled Es
perance, had ii not been for Wagner's
beautiful march which pealed forth
from the organ as she entered. Claude
Joined them within the choir gate,
and they passed on through the crowd
of eager, curious faces, to the altar,
Cornelia, from her place at the east
end, watched anXiously, but she could
not feel otherwise than thankful and
happy when the little bride came into
sight, bright form in the surround
ing gloom. 1t could not be called an
imposing procession Mrs Mortlake,
indeed, was yexed by its extreme sim
pHcity, and lOnCed for more brides
maids and more elaborate dresses, but
nevertheless there was something very
striking about it. The dean. more
erect than usual looked quite
patriarchal, with his silyery hair and
flowing white beard; Claude was
eagtt-eyed and wistfuily grave; while
between them was Esperance with
her radiant brown eyes fun of tender
awe, and her sweet, tranquil face look
ing almost as ehild-like as those OF
her little bridesmaids.
The service proceeded, and the dark