The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-12-26
TRAPPED BY AN HEIRESS.

A cosier place than the big sitting
room at Hillcrest would have been
hard to find, if one had travelled from
Lands End to John OGroats; and
this eventful evening, when the des-
TIMES Of two worthy people were
about taking definite form-two peo-
pie who had never seen each other,
and who had heard Of each other so
often that they were both curiously
eager to meet-on this important even
ing the sitting-room at Hillcrcst had
never looked pleasanter or cosier.
A huge fire Of logs glowcd like mol
ten carbuncles in the open fire. place;
on the table in the centre of the floor
whose cover matched the glowing
crimson of the carpet, with silver
stand that held a dozen snowy wax
tapers, whose beaming light contrast
ed exquisitely with the ruddy glow
of the fire.
Beside the table, in big cushioned
chair, with his feet thrust toward the
genial warmth of the hearth, his gray
dressing gown sitting comfortably on
his portly form, his golden-rimmed
glasses on his nose, sat the owner and
master of Hillcrest, Mr.. Abiah Cress-
iDgton, rich, good-natured, and fond
of his own way. Opposite him was
the mistress OF the place, little, shrewd
faced, sharp .nosed, merry Aunt Cora,
his sister, who, since her widowhood,
had come to Hillcrest to make her
bachelor brothers home as pleasant
rs she could.
That she had succeeded was very
evident by the way now in which he
looked up from letter he had been
reading-the confidential, kindly way
in which he did it.
"Walter writes o curious letter in
response to my invitation to come and
spend few weeks at llillcrest as soon
as he gets over his fatigue from his
ocean voyage home, after his five
years. tour abroad. I'll read it to
you"
lie leaned near the softly glowing
light, and began the short, concise
reply that Walter Austin had written
from his chamber in the Temple -
"You arc very kind, indeed, Uncle
Abiah, to ask me down to llilcrest
for as long as wish to stay, and | can
assure YOU that | have been SO long u
wandcrer that the idea of a home is
pleasant to Inc, But when take into
consideration the peculiar importance
you propose attaching to my visit, L
am unwilling to accept this invitation.
To me, the idea Of having my fancieS
and inclinations put into harness, and
TO feel that am on continual duty to
win my way into the good graces OF
my second cousin, Mabel, whom you
are good enough to wish Inc to mar
ry--"
Mrs. Cora interrupted sharply
"Abiah, you never surely wcnt.and
told our grandmother that you had in
view his marriage with Mabel"
Her tone was energetic, almost ap-
prehensive.
"Why not? ! certainly did. told
him in my letter that it was chance
for him he'd never get again, and that
he needn't feel under such terrible OBJ
legations to take fancy to Pills lit
tie Mabel, but to come down and be
cousinly, and if anything sh ould hap
pen. it'd be right all around"
Mrs. Cora knitted vigorously, mel
lavender cap-ribbons quivering IN the
mellow taper glow.
"All | have to say is, your "a fool
Abiah ! Walter is right. A young
man doesn't like to lave his fancies
under rein and whip, and the very
fact that we want him TO marry will
make him ind!sposcd to do it. You've
made gre mistake in the begin
ming"
Mr. Cressington looked aghast al
his sisters determined face.
"Why, really didn't suppose" .
"Of course you didn't. It's only
natural stupidity, you dear old fellow
Men are all alike. Don't | know then
like n book? And you've ruined your
hopes for Mabel and Walter at The
very outset"
Mr.. Cressington started diScomGt.
eddy.
81 am sure meant it all righ
enough, Cora. | certainly wanted
Walter to know what a little darling
our Mabel Is, and what nice littl,
wife she would make for any man."
"Vcry commcndable, indeed only
If you had consulted me upon the let
Ter you sent, should have advised
you TO say nothing about Mabel, o
her charms or her expectations.
should have simply asked him Il
come and see US, and have left the res
10 Mabels blue eyes, You sec
( Abiah"
His lips compressed slowly.
81 think | see. And my hopes ii
that direction are all ruincdW
The silver needles clicked rapidly
and the snow white yarn came reclin;
merrily OF the ball under her arm.