The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-12-12

Two DAYS afterwards, Esther heard
that Mr. Wellheet's estate had been
purchased by stranger, named Bige-
low. She at once conjectured, and
rightly, that this was the same with her
visitor, A few days elapsed, and Esther
Manson received another visit from the
same gentleman.
II have favor to ask OF you, Miss
Manson, he commenced Git seems he
had ascertained her name), a am
aware that our slight acquaintance will
hardly justify it, but | trust time will
remove this objection, You must
know he added smiling, "that am
a bachelor, dependent in many respects
on my housekeeper, who though good
woman in her way, am afraid is not
reliable in matters of taste, As my fur
niture has arrived, but has not been ar
ranged, would esteem it real favor
if you would give me your opinion in
some little matters respecting its proper
disposition. Ny CARRIAGES at the door,
ready to carry YOU over.
But" said h&SAer, little hesita-
tingly, II do not claim to have much
taste fear l should prove no more
reliable in that respect than your house
keeper"
Il have but to look around me-" said
Mr.. Bigelow, politely, ito be fully sat
isfed upon that point"
Esther's cheek flushed with pleasure
at this compliment, and she made prep
arations to comply with her new visitors
| request.
1t was not without little conscious
ness of the singularity of her position,
that Esther found herself riding by the
side Of gentleman with whom she had
scarcely exchanged a half-dozen words
| in the course of her life. The distance,
however. was but short, and she had
little time for reflection. On arriving
at her place of destination, she found
the chief part of the business accom-
plished. The furniture, which, by the
way, was new and handsome, had been
arranged in the rooms after fashion,
but Esther was able 10 point out several
changes for the better, with all of which
Mr. Bigelow professed himself delight
ed; he, moreover, asked her advice as
to the proper place in which to hang
several fine pictures that he had picked
up in his European travels. This was
accorded with some hesitation.
Mr.. Bigelow would not be satisfied
without showing his new-found acquain-
lance all over the house, from kitchen
to garnet When all was completed be
overpowered her with protestations
Of gratitude for her kind service, and
landed her at her own door just five
minutes before her brother came in
Esther was rather glad of this, as she
was a little suspicious that her brother
would consider her adventure rather
QuiXotic one.
To avoid comment she did not even
inform Philip that she had ever met
Mr. Bigelow, He took frequent oppor-
tunitieS to call upon her, on some slight
pretext or other, but it always CHANGED
TO be at time when her brother was alb
sent.
Il WONDER said Philip, carelessly,
as he sat by the fire one evening,
"whether Mr.. Bigelow will not be look
ing out for a wife before long?'
III don't know" said Esther, and
in her embarrassment dropping half
dozen stitches from the stocking which
she held in her hand.
"Not that ! approve Of marriage-at
least, in my own case said Philip, not
noticing this little demonstration, "but
it may be different with Mr.. Bigelow.-
He has no sister to superntend his es-
Enlistment. | don't know, however,
whether there is anybody like TO suit
him in this village. Let me see--there
is Miss Preston; she might do"
mo, don't think she would suit him
at all, " said Esther, with Il spirit which
considerably surprised her brother
"She knows very little about housekeep-
ing
"Why, thought you and Miss Pres
ton were friends" said Philip little
puzzled.
We'll, 50 are we returned Esther
in her usual tone; "but IL hardly
think she would suit Mr.. Bigelow."
Perhaps not" he rejoined, and so
the conversation ended
From the conversation which we have
recorded above the reader will obtain
some insight into the character Of
Esthcr's feelings towards Mr. Bigelow.
She would hardly confess it to herself;
but, as matter of fact, her ideas Of
marriage had suffered a material change
within brief period.
Meanwhilethe gentleman continued
his visits. Oftentimes he would ask 10
see the bed Of flowers on which Esther
rather prided herself, and sometimes
he would petition for seeds, being very
fond Of flowers, as he said and very
anxious 10 introduce them in his own
garden.
On one Of these occasions Mr. Bigc-
low, after a little visible embarrassment,
raid, hesitatingly;
II would like 10 ask your advice, Miss
Esther, on rather delicate subject, and
one Of great importance 70 myself.
There is one thing | wish 10 secure To-
make my establishment complete, but
hardly know in what manner 10 ask
for il.
What Is il YOU refer to?' asked
Esther, un-uspiciously
"A wife" was the significant reply.
Instantly deep crimson flushed
Es,her's cheeks. She did not trust her.