Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-12

loo thin and i'll to be pretty. But {
let US dismiss the subject-goot
night"
Goodnight" replied Mrs. Nor
AXE, taking UP her candle to g
but most assuredly she is not pre-
ty."
Cornelia's grave lips relaxed int
sister.
so that is it! jealousy for poe
little Bella is already beginning
Oh, Christabel, how little change
you are from the days when ba
was no pleasure if you were not tn
belle of the night-when you pre-
ferred being queen of the dullest par
ty at Rilchester, to being second else
where. Luckily, however, there ar
so many years between Esperanc
and Bella, that their interests ar
not likely to clash, but I foresee tina
Christabel will make that child's lif
burden to her What an account sh
gave of her education. it is absolutel,
dreadful, l must really devote som,
Of my time to her, though I can il
afford it,"
And with sense of fresh work tx
be fitted into the day, Cornelia rouset
herself from her reverie, lighted hel
reading-lamp, and opening ponder.
Gus volume was soon lost to the world
around her.
Esperance came downstairs the
next morning in good spirits, and
ready to look at everything in the
best light. Before leaving her room
she had fastened one of the wall
flowers in her dress, and had caught
herself singing the refrain of a game
which she used to play with the con.
vent pupils.
Que tn as de bellies files
Girofee girofia!"
Her sprightliness, soon vanished.
for in the hot, oppressive dining-room
she found to her dismay that sub
stantial meal awaited her. To sit
down at eight o'clock 10 a regular
dejeuner la fourchette, was an al
most unbearable infection to her; she
resolved to take only her accustomed
cup of coffee and roll, but found the
coffee SO exeefable that it was an
impessibility: moreover. Mrs. Mort
lake was 50 evidently offended at her
numerous refusals, that she forced
herself to take what she would much
rather have been without
The garden looked temptingly cool
and shady, and after breakfast was
over Esperance asked leave 10 go out
Cornelia received her proposal with
some surprise.
ooh, certainly, If you wish to do so
but there is nothing worth seeing il
our garden, and besides it is almosr
time for service"
Service at the cathedral? I am Sc
longing to see the interior"
You will have plenty Of cpportun
tiles, then, for we always attend boil
morning and evening service; b.
careful to be ready five minutes be
fore the hour, as my father is yer,
particular as to punctuality"
And Cornelia moved away, leavins
Esperance chilled and repulsed
though she could not have explained
why.
She was still looking out Of tn
window, rather sadly, when Mrs
Mortlake returned, leading by tn
hand a fair-haired little girl of abou
six years of age, who would have bee
exceedingly pretty, had not he
mouth been spoiled by constant pout
ing.
Run and kiss your new cousin
Bella said Mrs. Mortlake. 7Go a
once, there is a good child"
But Bella drew back with an obsti
nate "Shan.'t
Esperance, who was very fond c
children, began to coax her, an
would soon have won her over, bu
Mrs, Mortlake fnterferred In an az
grieved tone.
Excuse me, Esperance, but / mus
really have the management of m
own child. Leave her to me.'
Then as Esperance moved to tn
other side of the room, with height
ened color, she turned again to tn
child.
Now, Bella, do as mamma tell
you, and you Shall have-a piece {
sugar"
Esperance would much rather hav
been without the bribed kiss. br
after Mrs. Mortlake's very pointed re
mark she could not venture to say sc
Bella hesitated for minute, ad
once more.
"a large piece, mammal"
yes, my darling, a large piece"
Bella hesitated no longer, and E.
perance, much amused, met her hall
way and kissed ter-unluckily O
both cheeks.
Bella ran to her mother triun
phantly.
Two Jumps of sugar, mamma, tw
big Jumps, she kissed me twice."
Esperance laughed merrily, br
Mrs. Mortlake, vexed at the foolish
ness of her own bride, looked al
noyed.
Nonsense, child, I said one piece
Then, as Bella began to cry loudl,
"Ah, I knew that would come of il
it just shows you, Esperance, no
careful you ought to be with childrel
and Bella is so sensitive. Beside
how could you expect her to under
stand your French ways? I'll M
have them introduced here, so plea:
remember"