Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-12-01

her uncle to come back with her To
CoTnelia's great relief the dean at once
sssented, gave Esperance his arm, and
walked slowly away from the scene of
the accidens.
The storm had passed over and the
raia had ceased; the air felt delicious
ly fresh and cool as they passed
through the gateway into the Wears
Court. 1t reused Esperance from the
emily numbness OF feeling into which
she had fallen, the wave OF grief and
deSolation surged in once more upon
her heart. and it required all her
strength of will to prevent her from
breaking down utterly.
She struggled hard with herself, and
the dean only noticed that her breath
came in short, quick gasps. and slack
ened his pace, Just then they came to
the cathedral. there was no moon that
night, but they could see the outline
OF the great, massive building loom
ing out blackly even in the darkness.
There was something so strong and
Interchangeable about it that Esperance
was soothed and comforted. The
lamp-light shone over the smooth-cut
turf, and revealed the old. white
sraYe-Sones, then again in blacklist
shadow the great tower rose solemnly
into the night sky, mistaken by the
storm, steadfast and grand and i'm
movable. just as il had stood for gener-
atoms II was merely fancy OF
course, but the old walls seemed to
be echoing with the sound OF a dis
tant chant. and instinctively she fielled
in the words. Lord. Thou hast been
our refuge from one generation to an
other
t,lere was need of strength that
evening, and in spite of her WEAKNESS
Esperance kept up brayely, giving all
the necessary directions quietly and
without fuss, comforting the dean,
reassuring Comelia, and doing every
thing which they would allow her to
40 for Claude. But hour after hour
passed and there was no sign OF re-
turning consciousness. and Corneia
as she waited outside the door for
fresh tidings, knew that the doctors
feared the worst 1t was not till five
in the morning that she saw Esper-
ance again: she came out with a wan,
wearied face, to order fresh water for
the hot bottles. and would have re-
turned at once had not Corneia
detained her.
I'm, a ysa 10 lao,
come and take rest, and you Will be
of much more use" she said, earn
estly.
Il can not leave him; YOU know it
may be only" she could not finish
her sentence. and Corneia again urged
he called al once ii there were the
slightest change. She was TOO much
worn out to argue and Cornelia led
her into the room whore little Noel
lay sleeping peacefully in his crib.
She lay down beside him on Marie's
bed, not trying to check her fast-fall-
ing tears: and Cornelia. aware now
that they would relieve her, was glad
that II should be so.
Before long she slept, and did not
wake again till it was broad daylight;
the sunshine was streaming through
the half-!rawn curtains. and Noel,
surprised that no one came to dress
him. had pulled himself UP In his
crib, and with one fat. dlmpled arm
thrust through the bars, was stroking
her face. 1t was certainly the most
merciful waking she could have had.
and yet the pain was almost I'M
bearable; she took her boy in her
arms and felt momentary comfort
as the soft baby face nestled against
hers but the hot tears ralned down
her cheeks; and Noel who bad
never seen his mother cry, lifted up
his big, astonished, brown eyes to her
face, and undoubled his tiny hands to
catch the drops, cooling to them in
baby language as they fell
After time she recovered herself,
and, hastily dressing, left Noel with
Marie and went to her husband
room. There was no Improvement of
any kind; Claude lay cold and
sue Ouls Knew ludt ne
still lived by the words spoken to her
as she came in-"No change" The
weary day passed on to its close and
nigh< came; the next morning and the
next night, and still only continual
ton Of that awful death in life. On
the evening Of the third day Esper-
ance's hopes were raised, the deathly
stiffness and palor changed, the
paralyzed limbs moved once more;
she watched breathlessly. But alas,
there was no comfort in the wander
ing unrecognizng gaze OF the blue
eyes as they rested on her; the !
awakening was only to delirious raw
ings and to feverish paroxysms ter
rible TO witness.
To be Continued