Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-08-25

CHAPTER XXIV.
Life, | repeat, is energy of love
Divine or human; exercised in pain,
In strife and tribulation. and or
dained
! If so approved and sanctifed to
pass
Through shades and silent rest, to
endless joy.
Wordsworth
The days passed by with terrible
| swiftness, and when the Sunday was
| over, Esperance found it hard to
make the most of her present happi-
ness-her thoughts would turn TO
| that parting which was in store for
her on the Wednesday. Gaspard had
arranged to meet Mr.. Seymour in
| town on Wednesday evening. and thew
were to travel down to Southampton
| together, their ship sailing the next
! day.
Unfortunately Tuesday was the
evening Of the militia ball and Esper-
| ance foresaw time of hurry and bus
tie, when she would most have wished
Tor quiet. Sorrow was making her
very patient, however, and though she
| was bent upon finishing Gaspards
| mending in time to pack for him
that afternoon, she bore her ceaseless
Interruptions quietly.
Never had Cornelias room been in
vaded so ruthlessly. First, Bertha ap
/ peared, with cheeks flushed rosy red.
and a happy light in her usually
| languid eyes.
"Esperance, you must help me Just
| for a moment. See! George has civ
en- me these beautiful pink azaleas
| for tonight so I must wear my white
net instead Of the blue, and here is the
/ killing all in ribbons
Esperance looked in dsmay at the
torn skirt, which had been very
roughly treated at some dance.
! mo one will mend It so beautifully
as you" said Bertha, persuasiyely,
and, indeed, all the servants are so
i busy this morning; can you spare
just half an hour for it?"
Esperance could not refuse: she put
down Gaspard's sock with a stifed
4 sigh, and submitted to being half
smothered by the folds Of a white net.
Her dainty little fingers soon set
matters right, and as she worked
she could not help wonderful hen
+ the very obvious attachment between
/ George Palgraye and Bertha would be
declared. Perhaps it might be that
very night, Bertha would look very
beautiful in the white dress and the
azaleas, aud there would be music.
and bright lights. and excitement
All we'll, it was a good thing peopl
could enjoy such things. and the it'll
French girl knew well enough that
they were enjoyable, but she was too
I'll and sorowful even to wish for
distraction" just now.
! She had just finished Berthas
t dress when Mrs. MortIake came in.
/ you are always ont Of the way
when you are wanted" she said,
Grossly. "The idea Of shutting your
sell uD uF4f NAfH tFIl pllf II ~
busy | want you to come and see to
Bella, "
+ Esperance folded up her work with
a ,-avy heart. and fastened away TO
the drawing-room, where she found
Bella making herself a general nui-
sance.
There. just hear her reading will
you" said Mrs Morrlake handing
over her troublesome charge willingly
enough she must be here because
the other rooms are engaged-keep
her quiet.
This was more easily said than done.
as Bella was in high spirits. and much
more inclined to torment goodna-
trred Mrs. Lowdell, with rough,
teasing play. than 10 attend to he
lessons. For at least half an hour
such a battle as the following went
on.
Now, Bella Cat; you know
quite well what It spells'"