Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-06
Continued.

delicious days of early September
when even the most inveterate wealth
er-grumbler can not cOmplain-a
day of sunshine and soft breezy air
OF blue sky and fieecy white clouds
a day. Esperance declared On which
it was impossible not to feel happy
The start was made early in the
morning, Frances, with sense of re-
sponsibility, driving with her four
charges to the station, and feeling
glad to have Esperance's help in
keeping watch over the numerous
possessions, ranging from butterfly
nets to air-cushions and luncheon
baskets.
Madame, Mr.. Henderson and Mag
gle met them at Bangor, and they
went on by rail to Llanberis, the
children in a state of uproarious mer-
riment, Nine Lemercier and Esper-
ance talking and gestfculating, and
Frances and Mr.. Henderson finding
plenty of time for almost equally ami
mated conversation. At Llanberis
there was a division, Mr.. Henderson
well armed with oilskin bags and
fern-trowels, preparing to go up
Srowdon, with Fred and Harry as
companions, while the rest of the par
ty arranged themselves in a capa-
cious wagonette and drove UP the
pass. Maggie, who had a good deal
of romance in her disposition, in
sisted on telling them all the legend
of Dolbadarn Castle, and, indeed, it
was partly owing to her pity and ad-
miration for the beautiful heroine,
Margaret, that she had been so very
anxious to come to Llanberis.
Fsperance listened half dreami1y,
but could not bring herself to associ-
ate anything sad with the surround
ing beauty-the ruined tower, the
calm lake, the rugged granite
crowned mountains, were too restfully
beautiful, too calmly grand-she
could not think of the past at all,
and Maggie could not win her sympa-
thy for the tragedy of poor Margaret
They drove slowly on, the pass
getting more wild and rugged, and in
one Of the grandest, most desolate-
looking spots, were surprised to see
two or three cottages nestled down
among the wide-scattered granite
blocks, and to be greeted by CAT
Hyd-y-Nos," that most pathetic Of
all airs, chanted by some little
hright-eyed children, with the sweet
ness and Unborn pathos which seems
to characterize Welsh singing. Then
on again into perfect stiffness, amid
L
varing hues Of the granite, now black
and frowning. now shining like sill
yer in the sunlight. till at length
they reached Pen-y-pas, and were
glad to get out of the carriage, and
rest among the surrounding lowell
ness.
Esperance was very happy, and,
though she could not join in any of
the climbings of the rest Of the par
ty, the afternoon did not seem the
least long to her; she lay in a shady
corner and gazed down the pass, see
ing all manner of fresh beauties in it's
rugged grandeur, and making the
view thoroughly her own. Then.
from time to time Maggie and Kathie
bring her treasures, bright pieces of
spar, or handfuls Of heather and ling,
OF Frances and Nine. Lemercier
would bring back glowing descrip-
tons Of some fresh view which they
hid found Later in the day madame
settled herself down for another long
chat, and Esperance had still many
questions to ask and inquiries to
make after her Partisan acquain-
tances. Even if madame had not
been so kind and lovable, she must
have enjoyed talking with any one
who had known her father and Gas
pard and poor old Javotte; and
though most of the recollections they
rad in common were sad ones, there
wa a strange pleasure in dwelling
on them.
Soon after four o'clock the Snow
don party arrived having had a very
successful day. The boys were so
ra"-enous that tea was obliged to be
hurried, and Nine. Lemercier and
Fsperance, who had learned all sorts
of little devices in the siege, man
aged everything most daintily, while
Nr Henderson and Frances examined
the ferns, and we're so much en-
crossed in their conversation that
they continued it all through the pic
mic meal, leaving Fred and Harry to
describe the glories of Snowdon to
the rest of the party.
Then came the preparations for the
return, the drive down the pass,
where already the shades were deep
ening, the merry railway journey
and a general regret as the farewells
were said at the Bangor station
Maggie and Kathie were already ar
ranging to write to each other: Nine
Iemercier and Esperance INDUCED in
fervent embraces and a torrent Of
ranidly uttered French; but perhaps
Nj Henderson was the gravest anG
most regretful Of all as the trair
moved off and he raised his hat tt
Frances Neville.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Go, to the world return, nor fear tt
cast
Thy bread upon the waters, sure a
last
In JOY to find it after many days
The work be thine, the fruit tn.
children's part;
Choose to believe, not see; sigh
tempts the heart
From sober walking in true Cos
mol WAYS