Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-14

of the words could not but strike
her, and, looking up as the thought
! less passenger sung
LIE jour de gloire est arrive
| she saw the tears of grief and humili-
alton had escaped Gaspard He hid
his face with bitter groan, and Es-
perance realized for the first time
low great was his love for France.
The siege was virtually at an end,
but it was not till nearly the middle
of February that food became cheap
er, and still the Prussians were en-
camped round Paris, their presence
CALLING the Inundated people
Every one felt that the troubles of
France were by no means at an end,
and M. Lemercier grew daily more
hopeful for his Commune. Esperance
was sorely disappointed; she had
hoped for a speedy deliverance from
all priVation and distress; but instead
OF this, the aspect of affairs grew
| blacker each day, and Gaspard, who.
even in the worst days Of the siege.
had been bright and hopeful, was
now given up either to indignant muir
muring or to settled melancholy.
Esperance tried obedier tly to grow
patriotic, and succeeded ii hating the
Prussians very cordially, taking great
pleasure in hanging a black fack
from the window to greet them,
when, on the LIST of March they en-
| tered to take possession of Paris
| Still she could not but look forward
to the time when they could leave
France and find a safe, quiet refuge
in England. AS the weary days
| passed ON, and NJ Lemercier talked
! OF the Commune, she longed for it
more and more, and made up her
mind to ask Gaspard about it the very
next opportunity
Now that his wound was healed
out all day, and often far into the
night, and for the last few days Es-
perance had fancied him changed
grown more hopeful, yet at the same
time restless and excited.
It was now the 18th of March. seven
weeks from the actual capitation.
There was no longer any difficulty in
leaving the city, and as Esperance
sat in the lonely salon waiting Gas
pard's return, she could not help
thinking of her fathers last charge,
that they should leave Paris as soon
as possible. Had Gaspard forgotten,
she wondered. At any rate she would
remind him of it, and that very even
ing, too.
AS if to favor her design he came
in alone, and apparently in good spir-
it's
$50 you are alone, cherie; it is we'll
I returned. Where is madame?"
Gone to visit friend. I am so
glad you are come back, for 7 wanted
to speak to you, Gaspard. never
seem to see you now"
IT'S true, dear; but what can you
expect in such days as these? The
whole city is in agitation, the mob is
growing furious; we may expect a
second Revolution any day, and this
time I think We Communists shall
succeed. The country must stand
first, you know; it is not that love
you less"
Esperance's heart sunk. So this
was Gaspard's view of the subject.
Was it possible that he had really
become a Communist? that his patri-
otism had degenerated to this?
For the first time she felt that it
was impossible to agree with him,
and there was keen1y panied tone
in her voice as she asked
Then you have adopted Monsieur
Lemercier's views? What would my
father have thought of such
changer"
Gaspard looked little surprised
then doubtful, and finally angry
DO not attempt to talk politics,
please, Esperance: I trust no sister
of mine will ever set up for .
femme savante'''
Her lips grew with pain, not so
much from the actual unkindness as
from grief at the change which must
have passed over Gaspard; never in
her whole life had he spoken to her
SO bitterly.
She replied, not angrfly, but unad-
visedly:,
AS you would; but have you for
gotten your promise to our father?"
What promise?''
10 leave France as soon as posi-
bic, and settle in England
"England?" Gaspard's counte-
nance fell; he had indeed forgotten. {:
He was SO completely taken aback,
the idea was evidently so distasteful
to him, that Esperance forgot their
quarrel in trying to comfort him.
But, alas! all she could say only made
matters still worse Gaspard re-
ceived her caresses in gloomy silence,
and finally rose, with an impatient
exclamation seized his hat and strobe
out of the room without word of
farewell or explanation.
1t would be hard to say which was
the more miserable of the two: per-
haps Esperance had less cause for
self-reproach, but certainly her re-
Elections were sad enough, as hour by
hour she sat watching and hoping
for Gaspard's return.
She listened and waited in vain.
however, for he did not come home
at all that night. Esperance's words
were ringing in his ears, tormenting
him, haunting him, do what ne