Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-01
Continued.

1t was not crossnesS, it was down
right insolence,' said Gaspard, angrily
''You may be patient for yourself, nor
occur, but l can't be patient for you
1t is unbearable to think of leaving
you with such people"
She stopped down and kissed hi
forehead.
Il think it can be borne, when we
believe that in three or four years i
may perhaps be all over"
Three or four years! yes But till
them"
Esperance could not answer; she
turned away to hide her quivering
lips, till Gaspard, ashamed of his de-
spondency, hurriedly rose and drew
her toward him once more.
'Cherie, / have been a wretch! you
who have the heavier burden to bea
are preaching courage to me. W
must, we will endure, darling, and the
waiting may not be so hard as we
think"
Esperance was soon at work again,
in spite of Gaspard's entreaties that
she would spare herself.
and by the bye" he said, sudden
ly, what did Mrs. Mortlake mean by
that reference to the burning of can
dles?"
II am sorry you heard that" said
Esperance, coloring. ut was only
that I used to sit up sometimes at
night, and she thought it extavagant,
and was vexed"
You sat up over my outfit? You
h~.ghty child; that accounts for
your white cheeks, and you mean that
that woman grudged you the candles?"
Yes; she puts little half-hour can
dies in my room now" said Esperance,
laughing at Gaspards indignant
scorn.
i only wish she were a man, and
that I could have it out with her." he
said, between his teeth. But there,
we will not waste any more of our
time over such a disagreeable sub
ject.'
By the afternoon most Of Gaspard'
things were ready, and Esperance
was much relieved at receiving from
thedral service, so that she had time
to pack for him. This seemed to
make her realize things much more
fully, and she began to feel that she
coud not keep up much longer.
Very sorrowfully she walked back
through the close and the Wears
Court. glad enough to have Gaspard's
arm. He was to dine at the deanery
that evening, Cornelia having taken
pains to persuade her father to give
the invitation; but to tell the truth
though Esperance was glad he had
been invited, she could not enjoy his
presence very much for she was on
thorns the whole time lest he should
speak his mind to Mrs Mortlake, or
offend the dean still further by rashly
venturing on hazardous subjects
She trembled, indeed when at din
ner he alluded to the Tichborne case,
for 1t was a very sore point, and the
cause Of frequent and angry argr-
ments between the dean and George
Palgrave. George believing firmly in
the claimant while the dean was furi-
Gus if any one doubted that he was
Arthur Orion. However. luckily
Gaspard could for once agree with the
dean. and George was much too good
tempered that day to mind being ar
gued down, so that the peace was
kept.
The evening was uncomfortable and
disturbed; first there was some music
and Esperance was wanted to play
accomplishments, and then just as she
hoped for a little time with GasDard
Grace Lowdell came up with a be,
seeching face-the maid was helping
her mother to dress for the ball:
would Esperance spare just a fe
minutes? her French fingers would b
so Invaluable. and there was no get
ting on alone.
OF course she was obliged to go:
and after Grace Lowdell came her ell
der sister and her younger sister, an6
Bertha with her pink azaleas, far toe
happy and excited to remember that
they were taking up the very last
evening Of Gaspard's visit.
Esperance would almost have fore
sworn her nationality, so dearly die
she pay that night for it. Just before
ten o'clock she went to Cornelia':
room to offer her help. but she found
her cousin already dressed. looking
for once really handsome. in b7acl
velvet and some very fine old lace
She was standing by a reading-desk
porting over a yellow-leaved volume
her white gloves suffering consider
ably from the dust accumulated on it
cover.
rs there anything I can do to he'll
you, Cornelia?" asked Esperance i
her tired voice.
mo, I am ready, thank you.
hoped you we're with your brother
Christabel has not been hindering you
has she?''
There were several things to do
but we shall have a little time afte
you are gone" said Esperance.
Very well. go to my study thel
and you will not be interrupted All
I hear the carriage" and Cornell
reluctantly closed her book, and too
off her spectacles.
Esperance followed her down-stair
to the hall, where she found Gaspar(
with frigid politeness, helping Mrs
Mortlake with her cloak. Cornell
counted heads in a business-like wa
and marshaled her guests into tt
carriages, walking about maiesticall
with her velvet dress tucked up, ar