Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-05


reamed that it was so exquisite,''
She had unconsciously relapse;
nto French. Cornelia was surprises
nd amused at the sudden rhapsody.
''It is very beautiful, is it not?'
he replied, with much more warmth
n her tone. [ am glad you appreciat,
UGH things, for Rilchester is full o
architectural beauties
And is my uncle's house near t.
the cathedral?"
Not so near as many other houses
The close is occupied chiefly by the
canons. See, we are entering It now:
beyond this is the Wears Court, and
we pass through that to the deanery.
Esperance glanced curiously at the
gray old houses, but deciding that
they were triste, she turned again tc
the cathedral, feasting her eyes on its
beauty. The gray walls of the Wears
Court soon hid it, however, and Els
perance, as they drew near their des-
tlnatlon, began to picture in her mind
the kind of welcome which awaited
her. Her cousins would probably be
all waiting in the hall. they would
hasten forward to embrace her. the
dean would bid her welcome. and
compliment her on her good looks,
This had always been her experience
when her father took her to Visit the
Families Of his friends in Auvergne,
Her heart beat high with expectant
nope when the carriage stopped. her
precOnceived dislike to the dean only
adding a zest to her excitement. The
! HOFFMAN rang the bell. two solemn
, strokes of the clapper resulting, which
echoed long i'll the quiet court. Es-
perance gave a slight shiver. it
sounded SO like a death-knell.
The door was opened, and Cornelia
led the way up the steps and into q.
large, square hall. dimly lighted from
above. Esperance looked in vain
for the dean, and for her cousins
they were nowhere to be seen.
Where is Pertha?" she asked of
her conductor; 81 am longing to see
her"
"Bertha!" said Cornelia. a little
urprised at Esperance's question:
| cont know | am sure; perhaps we
shall find her in the drawing room.
You will have some tea, will you not:
before you take off your things?"
Tea at such an hour seemed strange
enough to Esperance; however, she
assented. and was taken to a large.
Well-proportioned room, which might
nave been very handsome had it not
been overcrowded with solid furni
ture. She threaded her way between
the tables, and chairs, and ottomans.
feeling quite oppressed by the all
prevailing purple-carpet, curtains.
furniture, even the Wallpaper, were
all IN shade of the same c0irr. In
the deep window-seat, at the further
end Of the room, sat Mrs Nortlake
and Bertha. They rose as Cornelia
and Esperance approached.
SO the traveller has arrived" said
Christabel, coming forward and kiss
ing EspeTance on one cheek; II hope
you have had pleasant journey,
dear?"
Espcrance's heart was warmed by
the term of endearment: she answered
the question in the affirmative. I'M
consciously telling a story; then she
turned eagerly to Bertha, the cousin
from whom ne hoped great things
She was much disappointed, though
the cold unmeaning kiss prepared
her in some degree. She looked up
anxiously-Bertha was pretty, fair
compleXioned, and blue-eyed, but her
whole aspect was listless and unin-
terested. The glances of the two
cousins met for an instant Bertha's
indifferent. dreamy, blue eyes, and
Esperarce's eager, flashing brown
ones, looked full at each other: then,
as if by mutual consent, they both
urned away without further remark
Mrs. MOrtlake made ESperance sit
down, and poured her out cup of
lreadfully strong tea, which reminded
her forcibly of some of Javotte's
tisanes, and while she was still trying
drink it without betraying her
disgust. the door opened and the
eally q beautiful old man. and Es-
erance could not find it in her heart
dislike him; at the same time she
vas, for once a little embarrassed-it
eemed so strange to meet him thus
0 have entered his house. as it were
stealth. to be actually drinking
lis most Objectionable tea before he
ad bade her welcome She went tc
meet him half timidly. Cornelia
noticing this, rose too.
Father, our cousin has arrived
then aside to Esperance, speak loud
he is little deaf"
Welcome, my dear" said the dean
kissing her on her forehead. "Yo,
You have had an agreeable journey
! hope?"
! Yes, thank you, uncle. said poo
Esperance, fibbing for the third time
would these dreadful people never asl
Ter anything else, she wondered.
You are welcome, my dear" re
Gated the dean, still holding he
land in his, and shaking it gently
welcome for your mothers sake.
owed your mother dearly, though sh
cted against my wishes once, but
=! owed her in spite of that
= should hope So" thought Esper
nee. coloring. and trying to Olsen
gage her hand; but her uncle sti
: leld it.
Let me look at you dear" said h
idrawing her to the window and scar
I | ing her featuroS uhilo ESno.a..