The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-05-21
A LAGGARD IN LOVE.
BY FILINA.
Written for the New York Clipper.

4
o in her pure womanhood that the words
Q which trembed on his lips seemed TOO pre-
y Mmp,uous to be spoken. Coward inc
.eader will sheer. But would advise him
n not 10 give utterance to the word in the
0 presence of any Of his old comrades OF the
y lrhirty-third, or you might be forced to
take a recumbent position before you were
quite prepared tor the change. The arch
ives of the War Department bear witness
. to his personal courage in many hard fought
battles of Rebellion, and his doting mother
, fondly shows the medal (the possession Of
which he is too modest ever to menton)
presented by Congress for daring act OF
bravery at the bombardment OF Fort G..
Yet with all this physical courage, added
TO graces of person and mind which made
HIM welcome wherever he went, he dared
not offer himself and his fortune-which
was ample-to the one girl in the world to
him. Many time he had endeavored to
screw his courage to the sticking point
and ask the momentous question; but these
| attempts always ended in "fzzle." My
story hangs upon one of these instances.
When he invited Belle to ride horseback
with him. one beautiful June evening, 1t
was with the fixed determination to make
an opportunity during their ride, and have
the thing settled. They cantered briskly
over the rough pavements OF the city, and
| having reached the smooth county-road,
Richard-or Rich, as he was familiarly
called-led the way to Lovers Lane,
beautiful. broad path, through small, I'M
lrequented piece of woods Their horses
fell into walk over the turfy ground, and
Jack Richards terrier, who had followed
them, took breathing spell after his hard
run.
Overhead the branches Of the NAPLES and
elms formed leafy arch, through which
could be seen the darkening
but still glowing sky; vague
delicious forest Odors were waited
to and fro by the gentle breeze. and the
solemn quiet that sleeps in such places hung
over all. Both felt the witchery Of the
hour. and rode on in silence. Bellies eyes
were fixed on the brilliant western sky dis
cernable al the end Of the lane Rich.
TUNED 10 look at her. How beautiful she
was. Sitting on her horse with the ease OF
an accomplished rider, he! noble figure
sxaying with the animals movements. her
fair face p@nsivs with the thoughts called
INTO being by the scenes around her.
ste looked o-2Ts.y :, ste svtys4
T1eseiz 1l;1 1iiliy szger-;iy.,
/ z2z had .ivsL VI o;.s: tAss
Ard al hi. worldly sg--. so- :..s,
Ard EG.;e BIZ uko.s heart Il o-s kl.s
Upon .eI psFts-t .!p..
The auspicious :aomea: had come-La
would seize il.
Belle, he said, gently laying biz hand
on her brid.e-Tein, aud tie horses stopped
on the brow Of & LIZZIE hill, from which
could be seen the VII sinking In glowing
splendor. She turned towards him. 2rd
raised ner clear, brown eyes TO his face.
Belle, there Is something have want.
ed 10 ask YOU for long time WI! you
give me true answer"
Certainly, Rich. What ;s iti-'
ut is matter Of great moment, and az
fccts M present and future happiness
The color on Bellies check depended AZ
his words and tone. bu. she waited To hear
more Rich telt his courage falling. Would
he be able to fnishi He looked away for
a momen;-therc sat Jack on the edge 0;
| the hill. his long ears upright.
"Do you think you--do you think-yOu
would have had Jacks ears clipped when
he was smailI
The blood in Bellies veins seemed to rush
in strong tide TO her heart. and for mo-
ment she could not speak. Then, rallying,
she answered.
"A momentous question, truly, and fear
| am not competent 10 answer. But am
fond Of INN as he is. Come here, jack
see If you can keep up with US
And, turning her horses head. she rode
away, followed by Rich, cursine himself in.
warily for his senselcss stupidity. Scn,i-
ment had been rudely driven away; but
Belle, thoroughly understanding her com
ptnion, and having perfect trust in him. OK.
e'ted herself to be chatty, and Their way
home was cnlivencd by pleasant talk; and
ere they parted he had made up his mind
to try again, and had obtained her promise
to meet him in the garden the next evening
at five,
Saying "Good-nght' at the door, he
sprang to his horse and caniercd away
Belle assembled to her room, took off her
habit, and, putting on a cool, white wrap
per, sat down by the open window to think.
She. knew that Rich. loved her, and for one
instant the wild wish that she had helped
forward his attempted avowa came into
her mind. But gentle thoughts followed.
and she WAS lost in happy revcric, when
her aunt, On whom she was dependent.
came into the room. Taking a seat near
her the latter asked
| "Did you enjoy your rider
| "Oh, yes, aunty; the evening was lovely"
81 am glad you had a nice time. But it
is not Of tina, lwish to talk. want to ask
| you one or two serious question
| "Oh, dear" sighed Belle 10 herself. ~
should think had had enough of Serious
questions for one evening"" Aloud she
said: "Wcll, aunt"
First, are you engaged to Richards"
mo, indeed; but"
'But what"
Belle blushed as she answered her in a
low tone
but feel sure he loves me-"
| NNnuspnno nhiIl ii nr,al h., .,,, AT.