The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-10-14

Ida. who stood paralyzed with fear, to re-
main still threw himself down the bank, and
grasping the cord in one hand dropped into
the water.
Thoughts pass quickly through the mind
at such moments, and to Gerald the
Thought occurred that the moment the
heavy weight Of the horse and vehicle, or
some of the supports ofthe bridge should
strike the dam it would give way. Once
that happened, all human help would avail
nothing Both would be carried away by
the suddenly freed waters, and both would
perish together.
lie struggles bravely to reach the Squire,
who has fortunately got clear of the vehicle.
He seizes him, and though carried round
and round by the eddying waters, chngs to
the rope. The squire also seizcs It and
with wonderful presence of mind releases
Gerald and both drag on the rope. Down
the stream nearer to the dreadful mill
wheel they 90, and two lives hang upon the
rope. VIII it holdl Yes; they near the
bank, and although the cord strains fear
fully, they get a foothold. A few ieetmore
and the mIll-wheel had caught them. The
'squire's strength fails him nov, but Gerald
has him in his aims, and at the last gasp
drags him through the water to the bank.
He is safe, but the peril foreseen by Gerald
is realized. The dam gives way under the
weight of the vehicle, borne by the waters
with heavy shock against it, and the angry
tide is let loose upon the village below.
The nights work was dangerous in more
senses than one and the effect upon two os
those engaged in it was seen three month";
later. OF course Gerald, in the eyes Of the
fair young lady who had witnessed his no
bic exploit, was from that time forward
hero equal to any Rome had ever produced.
The leap of Horatius into the Tiber from its
broken bridge was nothing in comparison,
So, at least, she thought; and who would
quarrel with her for eXtolling the hcroism
of the man who had saved her fathers lifeI
Who will wonder that to that man she lost
her heart or that Gerald, having won it,
gave her his in its place.
1t is true that the squire did not at all
depreciate the nobleness Of the service Ger
ala had rendered him. Yet team scarcely
| be wondered if he, as lord of the manor,
and owner of nearly half the village, felt
some regret that his daughter should not
have-and here he stopped. Have made.
better match?n his heart asked Him
mo, hang it, he answered himself, 1.-THE
boys good enough for the first lady in tn,
land"
Love, then, was the ripened, holier fed
ing of gratitude for that nights work; and
the squire having heard the honest farmes
acknowledgment of the passion, shook HIM
by the hand, and owned the worthincss Of
his daughters choice.
Frank Edwards, his brother, was the first
to congratulate him, and he said that he
was sure he should always love Ida.
And the days after that and the weeks
and the months that passed, saw two as
bright and happy lovers as ever the world |
had held. And yet
And YET we find them parted, and he liv-
ing the life Of reciusc in the Australian |
Wilderness, with vengeful thoughts of hat |
brother who had held the warmest place in
his heart, and nursing memories Of wrong,
bitter thoughts of what was home.
And this is the reason why.
Early spring had come again, and the
time was fast approaching when Gerald
would claim the fultilment Of lda's
promise, and she would be all his OVID.
Love is luxurious and the man in his
soul hugs himself in the contemplation Of
his promised happiness, Apart rom her
who holds his heart, his best enjoyment is
in solitude and silence. Look at the youth |
lying there on his back, kicking his heels
on the grass plat, and doing nothing but
stare up into the delicious green foliage of
the branches above him. He is in love, and
building castles IN the air; not tor great
ness, nor for wealth for himself he only
wants love in cottage, but hiscastle is
built for happiness. This is setishncss,
but the unblamable selfishness of love.
So il was with Gerald; and on IN after
noon OF the next spring time he had taken
his boat, and lying on the seat, had let it
rock itself up to the calm enjoyment of his
souls happiness.
And the boat had fioated on, and lay at
last out of the running stream behind some
tall quiet reeds, which rustled round and
made music to him. Eye, ear and sense
were wrapped in Loves Lcthc stream Of
rich delight" His was the acme of selfish
ness, but he had rude awakening.
AS he lay there alone in his boat, voices
came to him borne upon the air, and down
upon the stream another boat came floating
toward him.
The occupants of that boat were Frank,
his brother, and Ida, his own affianced wife
But the words that came to him-how
they dropped upon his ear and scorched
themselves into his heart The tones of the
sweet well-known voice came to him across
the water, and yet he could not believe that
he had heard Alright, From the very depth
of his love, suspicious through its greatness,
avoice seemed to cry to him that his
brother was a traitor-that the fair, sweet
young face he had called his own was but
mask hiding a tickle and false heart. And
the voice cried to him, Cup, upl and see
a loving brothers treacheryl Up, uIr and
look in scorn upon the face which seemed
so fair, which is so false!"
Fool like, he obeyed the voice; but bet
ter far if he had turned away and closed his
ears---had shut out sense and sound.
He stretched across the boat and nortod