Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-15
CHAPTER XVI.

There is temptation, and a very
common one-to withdraw fIom these
WHO are uncongenial. We so crave
for sympathy, that life seems scarce y
endurable without it. But We may be
assured that when it is the trial put
upon us by God we shall, as
a rue, be far safer in accepting it
than in trying to ESCAPE from it. :.
Loneliness, isolation, misconcep ion,
absence of sympathy, if accepted
chaerfully, are doing a work far great
er than can be achieved by any eff
forts of our own Individual Miss
SeWell's, Thoughts on the Age
The doctor highly approved of the
proposed change, and as there were
only a few days for preparation, Cor
neia's hands were full. She found
herself engrOssed in all sorts of fem
mime trivialties, in a most surpris-
ing and unnatural way. There was a
shade hat to be chosen for Esperance,
clothes to be overlooked and packed
and even a little needle-wOr to be
done. With this latter she was sadly
at a loss, but with a determination
not to give it to the servants, she shut
herself up in her study, and puzzled
it out for herself, by the help OF
mathematics and common sense, and
Esperance had certainly never worn
anything so scientifically made before.
The 8th of August was as fine as
hn icII nd ho mid
die of the day Lady WOrthington and
Esperance started on their journey.
Poor Ccrnelia felt very sad when the
actual parting came, though Esper-
ance's goodbye was as warm and af-
fecttOnate as possible. She threw her
arms round her cousins neck, Dear
Cornelia, you have been so kind to
me, and | have been such a trouble,
perhaps when l come back you will
let me wait upon you"
You must get quite strong again
dear" said COrne,ia, quietly returning
her embrace "And be sure to let me
know how you are after the Journey"
The train moved slowly off, and
Cornelia turned home with a sigh, to
find her study almost oppressively
dull and quiet, while Esperance lay
back among her cushions, feasting
| her eyes with the fresh green of the
fields and trees, and finding beauty
even in the fiat environs of Rilchester,
after her long Imprisonment.
| Lady WOrthingtOn was a perfect
! travelling companions; she did not
! tease her to take a rest just at first,
but lee her enjoy the change and nov
city thoroughly; produced a tempt
ing little luncheon just at the right
time, and finally made her so COM
Portable that it was impossible not
to go to sleep. She did net wake till
| they reached Chester. and then, much
refreshed by half an hours rest and
some coffee, was quite ready to go On
again. The first breath Of sea air as
they passed by Holywel and the
broad estuary of the Dee seemed to
revive her, and when they reached
the coast her delight was quite charm
ing to watch, and her joyous excla-
nations pleased and amused Lady
Worthington.
The country was looking beautiful
in the sunset light, and Esperance
was so enraptured with it all, that
she even compared it to her own
well-belJved scenery; the mountains
reminded her of the mountains of Au
vergle, and even in Conway Castle
she traced some likeness to the cha
teau, though Welshman travelling il
the same carriage evidently regarded
this latter comparison as the reverse
of fiattering.
Just as the sun went down into thu
sea, looking like a great ball of fire
they reached their journeys end. an
Esperance with dazzled eyes was glat
enough to sink back again among he
cushions and wait for orders. Harr,
and Fred We're waiting on the plat
l form, looking cool and countrifed il
their brown holland suits.
Aunt Fanny is waiting in tn
Iony-carr,a age, mamma" they bot.
T cried in a breath I'VE will bring al
: your things from here"
> Very WE'LL" said Lady Worthing
t ten, who was fond of making eve
ten-year old boys useful. Harry, 20
s bring these cushions and bags, a.
n Fred, see that a black trunk and III
small box are sent round at once
e the cart-now, Esperance, we wi
come" and putting a supporting arl
q round her little charge, she led he
: through the station to the pony-ca,
IS riage, where Frances was WAITING
looking fairer and prettier than eve
S in her light summer dress
d Esperance received homelike gree
It ing in French, and was made con
n Portable in the carriage. while Lad
j. Worthington talked to Frances.