The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-01-17


and bending down, he pressed fond Dut
sad kiss on her brow, while he said, "Weli,,
Ruthie, if you will not kiss me goodbye
shall have to 90 without il, for VIII DC
compelled to drive fast to catch the IRAN
now. Never mind, we will make 1t all up
when come home.'
Rob turned. and, with lingering look,
went out The last sound that ltutll hearu
was the quick patter Of Birds feet on Tue
frozen ground; then he was gone. .
II do wonder what Rob Will thlhN oi
mel He knows that did not mean one
word that said. oh, dear wish ! hao
kissed him before he went away. 30
thought Ruth, as she stood at the wihuo"
watching his form out OF sight mn.
What along, long, weary day II was inc
afternoon set in cold and gloom; but lnside'
thanks to Robs strong arm, all was warn.
and bright. Old Rover lay stretched o n
at full length before the coy hle' WINE
Dot sang merrily in his cage How care
he sing" Ruth thought, when she ielt so
down-hearted and sad. She went TO 'he
window and looked out on the gloomy sur
roundings, but found no relief or coh'olt
there. She turned away with sign, ana
out of little box in the closet she brought
forth some mysterious patterns and dain'y
Are linen, and was soon busy with inc
iittle garments fttino together those ''ny
In the mean time Rob West drove as
rapidly as rough roads would papnt to the
station, his mind filled with " Shts, OF
Ruth and all she had said. Maj pSshe was
right in censuring him for condemping her
to the dull and laborious life Of farmer
life, when she might have been the bride of
wealth. Then the words, Better get your
life insured, if you are going to die" kept
ringing in his ear, OF course, he was not
going to die, but perhaps it would be a
| wise plan; and then if he should die,
Ruthie would have something to live on.
Rob arrived at the station just in time
for the train, and soon he was in the busy
city. After he had finished his business
he entered a well-known life insurance Of
fee and presented his noble form at the
desk for policy, payable at his death to
Ruth. lie found no difficulty in securing
what he sought, and, with deep sigh of
relief for he knew not what, he placed it in
his breast pocket and started for home.
Poor little Ruthlew Rob thought, as
he wendell his way to the depot, II must be
kind and forgiving with her Just now. |
expect she cant help being nervous and il.
ritable."
And at the same time, away of in the lit
tie cottage, Ruth was thinking am 50
sorry treated Rob so badly! will have
nice warm supper for him, and afterwards
we will talk it all over"
Half-past seven, eight o'clock. Oh, how
the minute hand drags along! The little
table was spread with dainty little supper,
the very things that Rob liked best. The
bright fire sparkled welcome from the
great chimney. Rob's comfortable arm
chair stood in the warmest corner, waiting
to hold something in its great, strong arms,
but still he tarried.
II know he has had time 10 get here"
Ruth thought, as she opened the door once
more and peered out into the darkness.
Some one is coming, but it isn't Rob.
One, two, three, lanterns. What can 1t
mean? Nearer and still nearer they come
Something vague and uniformed strikes
.i.iii IftI tiiIOpui.o ns-..' aN'.-y -
opened the gate and are driving in. Vino
can it be- She never moves, but watches
them with stony stare as they lift out
heavy burden and pause at the door She
steps aside and they enter and lay Robs
mangled form on the snowy bed. Then,
like fash, Ruth realizes what has happen
ed, and with cry OF agony those rough
but kind hearted men will never forget,
she sprang to his side.
Rob, wake up! It's little Ruthle
Don't you know me-" o Rob, have you
left me alone!N
Without a struggle, Ruth sank down,
senseless and cold. All night she lay IN
deep stupor, and when morning came wee
little life blossom was laid, pale and cold,
by its fathers side. Many true-hearted
mourning friends followed Rob's form to
its last resting place, talking one with an
other how Rob's horse had SHE'D and
thrown him over high bank, causing in
slant death. Ruth came slowly back to life
and bitter remorse. The little history OF the
past came sweeping back 10 memory,
Will NOUS hlHu dClluuS anu uCi "oy wan
ness, blending together to form most wei
come picture. Oh, il was trying hour
when the life insurance came to light add
ing wormwood to her already bitter cup.
She felt now what it was to be young, with
life before her stretching far out in the
wide, grand future, the sky bright with ex-
pectations, the kind hand and tender heart
Of Rob at command. With such associa-
tons it was pleasant to be young. But to
have fallen from the brightness and bloom
of expectations, into desolate waste OF
darkness and remorse, the sky overcast
with dark clouds, which doomed up between
her and the bright future mountains high
to wait, weary and trembling, for admission
at deaths door, with the words, "rhe old
MUST die, the young NAY die" fresh in her
mind, and still be young, was indeed Bit
ter, bitter fate.
Ruth accepted Rob's gift that he gave
with his life, and with meek heart used 1t
as an aid to her deeds of charity, with |
which she spent the time of waiting for
God to call her away, Ito make it up with |
Rob. odd Fellows Talisman
A THANKFUL BUTcHER.-A prominent |
butcher nf Port Carbon Pa ronoris. I can.