Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-11-03

and had turned out a first-rate soloist
while Brown, the tenor, had meanly
deserted them and gone OF to some
better-paid appointment.
The precentor liked Claude-every
one did, in fact-and, moreover, next
to music, he enjoyed nothing more
than talking, so he invited him to
supper at his house, and kept up a
brisk current of talk till the clock
struck twelve; then Claude started up
saying that he wished to be early in
the cathedral so as to get the morn
ing light.
1T is too late, l suppose, to knock
up one of the vergers?" he asked. Il
wanted to get the keys: the dean used
to lend me his, but 1 can hardly go
around there now"
! The precentor at once produced his
keys, and followed his guest to the
door.
"A beautiful moonlight night he
said, looking out. Il would give
something to take you to the cathe-
dral now, but it's against rules to go
/ in at night, and except with regard 20
The morning was as bright and sun
Wagner, you know, 1 am very ODE
dent"
Claude laughed, and said he would
be content with six o'clock, then
walked back to his hotel for a few
hours sleep and dream Of Esper-
ance.
ny as he could wish. He walked
round by the deanery, and looked up
wistfully at the windows; then re
membering his work, he fastened on
to the cathedral, walked up the long,
tagged path, and unlocked the south
door. Putting down his easel and
bag, he gave himself up for moment
to silent enjoyment of the beauty
around; he glanced down the long
vista Of arches, then his eye Travelled
back slowly till it was arrested at
the crusaders tomb. His heart beat
wildly, and he hurried forward with
eager though nOiseIess steps. Could
it indeed be Esperance? He gazed
long and wondering at the little fig
ure. She was nestled UP into a cor
ner, her head had fallen forward and
rested against the tomb, the soft
waves of dark hair contrasting with
the white stone; her long, black lash.
es lay calmly, her cheeks were flushed
with sleep, one little brown hand
clasped Javotte's cross tightly, and
her whole attitude and expression
were of undisturbed peace. Some
slight sound reused her at last; she
looked up eXpectantly, and glad
Claude.
"Ah, I am so glad!' she said; q
knew some one would be sent; am so
glad it was you, Claude"
The name slipped from her inadver-
tently; he colOred with pleasure.
Have you been locked in by acct
dent?" he asked, wonderingly.
Then the sorrowful look returned to:
Esperance's face: she told him all.
and asked his advice. He was much |
startled and shocked, but he would
dwell on Bertha's injustice to her, and
the cruelty of shutting her thus into
the cathedral
THAT does not matter, it is all over
now" she interrupted, "but how am
to tell them at home? What will
they say?"
He at once turned his thoughts to |
her present difficulties, and self-deny-t
ingly advised her to go to the deanery
as soon as possible and tell Cornelia. !
leaving her to break it to the dean.
While they we're still talking it over
the clock struck seven, and Esperance |
moved toward the door, feeling dread
fully stiff after her hard couch.
II must CO." she said firmly, though |
she was beginning to tremble at the
thought of this hard task. "The |
house will be open now, and we must |
lose no time. You are staying in
Rilchester, them"
Claude assented.
cit is very wonderful that you
should have happened to choose this |
day, but things always are arranged |
just rightly, are they not?"
Claude thought so too, as he watch
ed the little figure till it passed out Of
sight And then Involuntary an
idea struck him-how would this |
unlOOked-for turn of affairs affect his |
hopes? Would the deanery people |
leave Rilchester at once, and bear Es- |
perance with them?
To be Continued.