Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-17
CHAPTER I.
One adequate SUPP

EXlStS, one OnIy!-an assured Dellef
That the procession of our fate
howe'er
Sad or disturbed, is ordered by a
Being
Of infinite benevolence and power
Whose everlasting purposes embrace
All accidents, converting them to
good. The Excursion
The Chateau de MabilIon stood on
the summit Of low but abrupt hill
overlooking one of the most beautiful
valleys of France. In appearance
it was scarcely habitable, for it had
suffered greatly in the Revolution;
and though time had yelled the rough
work Of the incendiaries with luxuri-
ant ivy and creepers, the chateau
was but a ruin, with the exception of
a few rooms which had escaped the
general devastation, and were still Oc-
cupicd by the de Mabillon family.
Very small had that family become
Of late years, dwindling as rapidly
almost &c their fortune had diminish
ed. Alphonse de Mabillon, at the age
OF fiye-and-forty, found himself the
sole survivor Of his generation
brothers and sisters were al dead,
more distant relatives had emigrated
and were thus lost to him, his little
English wife had dropped and died
long ago, and he was now left alone,
save for his two children.
The villagers and the cure wondered
at monsieur's grave, sad face, but
they all loved him, for he was the
very representation of gentleness and
kindness, and gave more in aims than
many far richer man.
On the brow of the hill, surrounding
the chateau on all sides, was a broad
terrace, upon which M. de Mabillon
might have been seen one autumn
afternoon, pacing up and down. His
face was more than ordinarily grave,
his head bent as if in anxious
thought; so engrossed was he, that
he did not even notice the ringing u
the vesper bell in the convent below
the hill, although this was the wonted
sign for the appearance of his little
daughter.
Esperance was full of wonder as,
accompanied by old Javette, the SER
want, she climbed the steep ascent to
the chateau. Her studies at the con-
vent were over for the day, and she
was making all speed to join her
father. Why was he not watching
for her as usual? What mad him
look so grave and anxious? She
reached the terrace out of breath,
and sprung to her fathers side with a
merry laugh.
why, papa! you have forgotten
me, and I have given you a surprise"
For once" replied her father,
smiling and STOPPING to kiss the little,
flexible mouth which was pretending
to pout, Il have much to think of
= lust now, my child"
Esperance looked puzzled.
What can there be to think of.
now that the harvest is over, and the
vintage. too, and Gaspard, our good
Gaspard has passed his examination?
tell me what makes you grave,
papa"
M. de Mabtllon paused for a minute,
then, instead of answering the cues
ton, said, "Gaspard will live at Paris
now, you know; how would you like
to live there, too?"
AT Parish exclaimed Esperance,
Nonderingly, and leave the chateau?
"e could not live in a
great town, away from all the woods
1T1 hn I +Lo
sisters except, indeed, Soeur Their
csc, who is cross always could not
bear to leave them"
you will try to bear it for my
sake, will you not?" asked her father
Esperance turned pale.
DO you mean, papa, that we must
really go quite away from home, and
leave everything?"
Dear child, it is indeed thus;
have kept it from you as long as
possible, but | have had losses of late
the vintage was, as you know, very
bad, and Gaspards education has
been a great expense; We can not af-
ford to live here any longer, so the
chateau and land are to be sold, and
we must try to live cheaply with
your brother at Paris
Esperance did not attempt to hide
her tears, but she struggled to check
them for her fathers sake. The I'M
derstanding between father and
daughter was perfect, and Esperance,
though only fourteen, was real COM
panion to NJ de Mabillon; he knew
her iHnermost heart.
They talked long together over
their future plans, and Esperance was
comforted by the trust and confidence
which he placed in her, and yet more
by the perception of his calm, IN
shaken faith in the great Right
which governed all changes.
Long years after his words rested
in her memory; surely there are in
many hearts words and scenes so
deeply impressed that nothing can
eface them, truly God-given memo
ries-possessions for life. Esperance
could always recall the close of that
autumn day-the sun setting behind
the Auvergne mountains-the shad-
oWs gathering in the beautiful valley
blow-the river hurrying on its way.
bearing on its bosom the reflection of
cloud crimson with sunset glory.
the beautiful old chateau, with its ivy
covered walls-above all, her fathers
face, grave no longer, but full of the
most serene trust, his eyes looking
straight into hers lovingly and con-
fident1y