Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-11-17
Won by Waiting.
tBYt
EDNA LYALL.


Z
trembled to think of his interview
with the dean; but it passed off bet
ter than might have been expected.
The dean had a great regard for
Claude he was battered that ne had
thought Of his niece, ana there was
nothing to be said against the mar
riage. He said he should like to see
Eaperance, and Claude went to fetch
her from the drawing-room, keeping
her hand still in his as they passed
into the gloomy library, and leading
her up to the dean. 1t reminded her
Of that other summons more than a
year ago, when She had heard that
Gaspard was going to Cey.on; but
how different was everything now
The dean sat in his great leather
armchair lie looked grave and
rather severe, but i. was his usual ex-
pressio now, and in agreeing to
I Claudes proposal he naturally thought
of George Palgraye, and remembered
easily Bertha's defiance Of his author
| ity
Claude has just informed me, my
dear, that he has asked you to be his
wife and / desired to see you for
few minutes that | might give you
some words OF advice and congratula-
| ton
This beginning sounded rather
| formidable. Esperance shrunk nearer
to Claude, while he held her hand
closely. The dean continued:
You are about TO enter on a most
serious and solemn undertaking. |
trust that you have gravely consider
ed the matter at your leisure and
that you are well certified OF the
wisdom and fitness of your choice.
DO not be deluded into thinking that
married life is nothing but bliss; IT,
you prepare yourself 10 find 1t such,
you will be speedily disappointed, but
act and think wisely and soberly
and I most sincerely trust that such
happiness as is to be foupnd in this
world may be yours You are greatly
hOnored by receiving the affection
and esteem OF a clever and worthy
man, and ! have no doubt that you
viii endeayor to prove your graft
ude"
Claude was struck dumb by the
pomposity Of this harangue, and Es-
perance could not help being amused
by It, 1t had never entered her
head to think OF Claude as q worthy
man" and there was something in
congruous in the term nor would
she have dreamed Of applying the
words esteem and affection" to the
beautiful soul-satisfying love which
had just been revealed to her But
that happy French magic of saying
the right thing at the right time came
to her aid Before Claude had re
covered from his ama2ement she was
6neeling beside the dean, and the ley
solemnity of the interview was at
once broken.
Dear uncle" she said, eagerly, Il
teel that we owe everything to you.
II II had not been for your kindness
to me | should never have seen
Claude there is only one more thing
want and that is your blessing"
The dean was touched lie put his
hands on the two young heads, and
his words were unusually feryent.
then for 4 few minutes they all talked
naturally and before long Claude had
begged for the keys OF the cathedral,
and had wandered away with Espe-
rance for an hours uninterrupted
peace before dinner. II was while
they were standing in the south aisle,
beside the crusaders tomb, that he
drew out a ring and placed Il on
EsporanCe's finger.
Do you remember, he said, smil-
Ing, chat walk which we had once to-
ge,her when you told me your motto
was Esperez toujours? thought we
would keep 10 s,iIl II YOU had said
NO this afternoon / should nave kept
The ring and the motto FOR my com
fort,
E-perlnca looked nc the beautiful
little ring and saw what ne meant.
I'd was from his own design. wide
band of gold with the motto In
quantity carved letters around fl.
Nothing could have delighted her
more
just as they were coming out of the
cathedral hey met the precentor. he
had already heard OF their engage
mem. and was fairly overwhelming
W.rh his Kind wishes. making Es-
N.mnyo color deeply ~ asking which
WAS To be Che auspielous day"
The reference set Claude thinking