Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-19


.are all clergymen, there seems scarce
" layman in the place. They stand
all together in a group, like so many
rocks, though it is not thought in2-
proper in England for them to speak
20 the ladies, and perhaps two cr
three do venture into the circle by
and by. l noticed the other night
that there was a quite a little ma
neuyer to secure a vacant chair
Englishmen seemed so much happier
When they are sitting down, they
never seem to know what to do with
their hands and feet, otherwise. AL
together, it was a bad specimen;
people never could endure many such
parties, surely, they would die of en-
nui. Why do you ask point-blank if
am happy? 1t was inconsiderate Of
you. Of course 1 am not, and can not
be, away from you. AS to the cathe-
dral, it is marvelously beautiful. but
the long daily services do not agree
with me; perhaps it is being quite
unaccuston,ed to such things, or per-
haps the Foreign prayers, or it may be
what Mrs. Mortiake would call my
frivolous French mind but certainly
they are at present a penance.
No one here has a good word to
say for a Frenchman-they seem to
think we are all Communists, and
forget that the martyrs, Monseigneur
DarbOy, the Able Deguerry. Pere du
Coudray, and many others, were also
French 1t is very hard to bear. l
suppose, however, the troubles are
nearly over now? Have you heard
lately from Monsieur Lemercier? ]
hope he has not been arrested, poor
man. How wonderfully in earnest he
was that morning we left Paris.
With my compliments to Bismarck
tJe t embrasse de tout occur,
'Esperance Bien-Aimee de Mabillon."
In reply to this letter Gaspard sent
fish Church Services, and she was so
much touched by his anxiety for her,
and so really anxious to do right, that
she tried very hard to attend better.
One bright sunny morning, about
the end of September, Esperance, af-
ter greater effort than ueual to listen
to the Psalms, had taken her place in
the uncomfortable oaken stall, which !
was her usual seat, and had opened |
her French Bible, in order to follow
the reading of the first lesson, when a,
sound ofvoices in the choir aisle |
hn
were evidetly close behind her, for she |
could distinctly hear even the low
toned conversation.
sNo painting allowed in service
time, SIR
What, not out here? How can |
possibly disturb the services?" re- |
piled the second voice.
Cant tell, sir" answered the first;
but tbs against rules; you must move
at once"
But I tell, you, my good fellow,
this is my service, just as much as it's
yours to wear black gown and carry
that poker; besides, the light is per-
feet now"
The reply was inaudible, but was
followed by crash, as of something
falling heavily on the stone floor.
An unguarded exclamation of wrath
made itself heard so distinctly in the
choir, that the reading of the lesson
was for moment suspended, and the
two vergers, Selling their silver
headed slaves, fastened to quiet the
disturbance
Esperance listened with hushed
breath. really quite trembling for the
victim. She heard a great many
repetitions of ''hush," then the eager
voice rising again, 81 was doing no
harm here
Another admonitory hush" fol-
lowed by whispered alteration,
then that voice once more.
We'll, since I mayn't paint, [ will
come in"
The footsteps drew nearer; Esper-
ance, and indeed everybody looked
cUriousIy toward the door-with al
stately, measured step, the two YER
gers returned, their slaves trium-
phant1y raised in air, and behind
! them walked the culprit, young man
of two or three-and-twenty, tall and
handsome, his fair complexion a lit
| tie flushed by the dispute, his lips
grave1y compressed, but an irrepres-
sib1e sparkle of amusement in his
keen blue eyes.
He was solemnly conducted to
seat, and after one rapid glance
around, Esperance was relieved to
see that he behaved with perfect rev.
erence, joining in the TIE Deum in a
way which set an example to the 81
lent congregation, and during the
reading of the second lesson, scarcely
stirring, but gazing at the reredos and
the grand east window, through which
the sunshine was streaming, shedding
an exquisite radiance on all around.
A. the close of the service, Mrs.
Mortlake made all speed to go out,
but lot before the stranger had al
ready left the choir. Whispering an
Explanation to Cornelia, she followed
in the direction of the north choir
lais1e, closely attended by Esperance,
who was full of curiosity, and in great
terror lest Cornelia should call her
back
In the aisle they discovered the
cause of the downfall and the angry
exclamation-a PROSTATE easel and
canvas; the young artist had just
raised the latter, and was looking at it
lcritically, when Mrs. Mortlake ap