Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-12-15

gustlly round the walls OF the eathe-
dral whistling through the lower
boards In the towers, and yanly seek
ing FOR an entrance at the closed doors
and windows. But the hurricane with
out only made the calm within seem
more resttul, and the htful CLEANS OF
sunshine streaming through the
stained-glass windows east a dieting
radiance on the group gathered round
the massive old front.
Lady Worthington, standing rather
in the background. could watch the
faces of those around; Claude, with
the gravely wiStful expression which
his face often bore, stood close TO the
font his color rather high, his short
newly-growu hair fairer ana more
boyish-looking than ever, Esperance
was close beside him. looking serene
and happy, and with beautiful light
in her soft. brown eyes; while behind
them stood Marie, in her fresh white
cap. and little Noel with his bright
eyes full Of grave wonder. On the OPP
posite side stood Frances and Mr.
Henderson, Nine. Lemercer, using
her handkerchief freely -Gaspard
with an unusually softened expression
on his dark. handsome face, and Cor
neia, holding the baby carefully and
rather anxiously, with womanly
tenderness and love which she would
once have scorned. But, perhaps, In
all the little group there was no face
which arrested Lady Worthington's at
tention With such real pleasure as the
deans
This yesterday was indeed one OF
rejoicing TO him. 1t was with mingled
humility and Joy that he received
his sisters little grandchld in his
arms, and bestowed on her the name
which meant so much to him-"Amy
Esperance."
The short service over. the little
group dispersed quickly, Mrs Mort
lake lingering TO help old Mrs. Pass
more into the carriage, and to hear her
comments.
"A most beautiful baby, the finest
| have seen for long time-and so
healthy tool"
yes, said Mrs. Mortlake, "a nice
plump little thing, but scarcely pretty,
Just compare her with Bella at that
age! Bella really was lovely baby"
Mrs. Passimore did not stay to dis
pute the point, and Mrs. Mortlake was
recalled to the present by finding that
Bella was playing at snowballs with
Maggie Henderson and the little
Worthingtons. to the great detriment
of her Sunday clothes.
There was to be no christening din
ner, for Claude was still too much of
an invalid to bear any more fatigue
that day; 1t was not indeed till the
evening that he was enough rested to
care even for conversation, but when
Esperance had brought him his tea he
revived.
ut has not been too much for you7"
she asked, a little anxlously.
Not the least. ! wouldn't have
missed 1t for anything" he replied.
with sufficient energy to reassure her.
1T was worth little exertlon II only
for the pleasure OF seeing the deans
face"
Was II not bright and glad,' said
Esperance, smiling. and he held the
baby so nicely could nc. aeip
thinking as he said her name, how
my mothers belief had really come
true, and all was being made right at
last ] wonder il In Paradise they
are allowed TO watch the working to-
gether OF things down here whether
she and papa could see how the
poverty and suffering and the long
waiting were all leading up to the re-
union which they had so longed for?"
Claude did not speak for a minute
or two, but twisted her betrothal
ring round, and unused on the motto
You naughty child" he said. play
fully, yet with vibration In his
voice, see how loose this thing has
grown,"
And with that he pressed the little
thin hand TO his lips, and Esperance
smiled-her eyes full OF happy tears
The End