Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-25
CHAPTER XIV.

creulDle though II seemed to her
they were dim with tears.
CHAPTER XIV.
Life, I repeat, is energy Of love,
Divine or human; exercised in pain.
In strife and tribulation, and or
dained,
If so approved and sanctifed, tc
pass
Through shades and silent rest, to
endless Joy.
Wordsworth
The days passed by with terrible
swiftness, and when the Sunday was
over, ESperance found it hard to
make the most of her present happi-
ness-her thoughts would turn to
that parting which YVES in store for
her on the Wednesday. Gaspard had
arranged to meet Mr.. Seymour in
town on Wednesday evening, and they
were to travel down to SOUTHAMPTON
: together, their ship sailing the next
day.
Unfortunately, Tuesday was the
/ evening of the militia ball. and Esper-
ance tOresaw time of hurry and bus
tie, when she would most have wished
for quiet. Sorrow was making her
very patient. however, and though she
was bent upon finishing Gaspard's
mendiDg in time to pack for him
that afternoon, she bore her cease!ess
Interruptions quietly.
Never had Cornelta's room been in
vaded so ruthIess7Y. Ftr1t, Bertha an
peared, with cheeks flushed ROSY red
and happy light in her usually
IangUid eyes
: "Esperance, you must help ne lust
for moment, Sea! George has civ
on me these beautiful pink azaIeas
for tonight, so 7 must wear nv. whise
net instead Of he blue, ard here is the
killing all in ribbons"
EsPerarce looked in d.smay at the
torn skirt which had been very
roughly treated at some dance.
NO one will mend it so beautifully
as you" said Bertha, persuasiveIy,
land, indeed, all the servants are so
busy this morning; can you spare
| JUST HAIL an nOur IOr
| Esperance could not refuse: she nut
! down Gaspard's sock with a. stifed
| sigh, and submitted to being half
| smothered by the folds of a. white net.
Her dainty little fingers soon set
! matters right, and as she worked
she could not help wondering when
the very obvious attachment between
! George Palgrave and Bertha would be
declared. Perhaps it might be that
very night; Bertha would look very
! beautiful in the white dress and the
azaleas, and there would be music,
and bright lights, and excitement
| All. well! it was a good thing peopl
could enjoy such things, and the littl
French girl knew we'll enough that
they were enjoyable, but she was too
III and sorowful even to wish for
abstraction" just now.
She had just finished Bertha's
dress when Mrs. Mort1ake came in.
"You are always out of the way
when you are wanted" she said,
Grossly. THE idea of shutting your
self up here when every one is so
busy! I want you to come and see to
Bella
Esperance folded up her work with
heavy heart, and fastened away to
the drawing-room, where she found
Bella making herself a general nui-
sance.
There. just hear her reading. will
tY,-c lob
over her troublesome charge willingly
enough. "She must be here becaus
the other rooms are engaged-keeI
her quiet
This was more easily said than done
as Bella was in high spirits. and much
more inclined to torment good-na-
tured Mrs. Lowdell, with rough
teasing play, than to attend to he
lessons. For at least half an hour
such a battle as the following wen
on:
Nov, Bella. Cat; you know
quite we'll what it spells!"
"C-a-t," droned Bella, stupidity
The light is in my eyes, cousin"
Then move; now them"
, Ca what is Miss Lowdell sing
ing for?"
Don't talk; go on!"
'C-a-t- Oh there's a wasp on tn
q window"
= Bella, go on!"
will you give me a chocolate if
), say it right?"
. mo, certainly not; now, quickly!"
), Mamma always does" said Bella
- with an ominous dropping at the col
! ners of her mouth.
q Are you going to read this word Q
= not?"
- NO; you're only French, and 70
don't know bit how to teach me,
:, whined Bella.
:. Whereupon Esperance shut tn
:, ! book and carried her provoking lit
-. pupil to the corner, where she roare
>, with all her might.
"A very difficult child to manag
;, 1 should think said Mrs. Lowdel
= with commissioning glance, as 81
;, hastily left the room to be out of II
- sound Of Bella's screams.
"a Esperance, heartily ashamed tn
her DuDil Shou1d he drfvinp mo-,