The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-10
THE DAILY BULLETIN,
HIS SECOND LOVE.

I1age that surrounded them, sat Two
people, conversing in low and earnest
tones, so absorbed in themselves that
even the soft melodious strains OF "Des
Lieben Langea Tag" which floated
towards them from the adjacent ball
room upon the still evening breeze,
failed to draw them from the retreat
which they had sought.
One, at least, paid no heed to the
sounds. Time was, and that not long
since, that Harold Courthope would
have thought the world held no greater
bliss for him than to hold Eva Cress-
ingham's slim waist encircled by his
arm while they conversed; but now he
had more serious thoughts, more ar
dent wishes concerning her, and 1t was
TO plead for the fuliilment Of those
wishes that he had drawn her away
from where she would fain have stayed,
dreading the explanation which she
foresaw was inevitable when Harold,
instead of leading her to her place,
when he offered his arm for the dance,
for which his name stood upon her
daintily-painted little programme, set
down there by his own hand with the
exquisite gold pencil set with diamonds
he had himself presented to her as u
gage d. amour, walked out of the open
window, across the narrow strip of
moon-lit lawn, and sought this sheltered
retreat. where Eva knew she must at
last be forced to throw aside all con-
cealment, and shatter at once and for
ever the hopes that her conscience told
her all too plainly she had fostered.
She would have escaped if possible,
but it was not to be. Harold held her
too firmly for that, and without attract
ing notice which she did not consider
desirable-she could hardly release her
hand from his arm, 50 she made vir-
tue of necessity, and suffered him to
lead her where he would, inwardly
quaking, yet none the less resolved up
on her course.
1t must be, she decided. 1. had been
a very pleasant dream while it lasted,
but dream that must have come to a
close some time or other, for though
she liked Harold very much. she never
could be his wife, that was certain.
She was sorry for him, too, sorry that
she had encouraged his attentions and
given him room for hope; but it had
not been of set purpose-she had not
dreamed Of such result in the Begin
ming, and she could only hope that
Harold would be sensible and not take
the blow too much to heart.
While he--ah! he thought, what would
life be to him without that fair presence
by his side!
Fair. indeed. and pleasant to look
upon, was Eva Cressingham. A slight
but rounded figure Of exquisite proper
tons, surmounted by face and head
nos. beautiful. Dark, but with the
ricn. warm hue Of the sunny South. not
tia: unhealthy sallowness Of skin which
chacacterizes the brunette OF our north
ERA ATTITUDES. A mouth like rosebud,
which when the lips parted disclosed
teeth " pearly Wilderness and perfect
regularity; eyes large and melting with
l;1i;,d tenderness; wealth of cluster
ing aair, and crowning charm of all!
that most excellent thing in wom-
an" n sws5t, melodious voice.
Sue. vas Eva Cressingham, and her
companion. Ia his fresh young NAH
hood, was we'll fitted by nature for her
mate.
But it vas not To be. He had spoken
at last. and learned the truth, and there
was something Of anger in his voice a.
he made answer:
"Why, il this was to be the end OF it
all, have you allowed me to nurse such
hopes as you mast have perceived, to
exist, as ! hsvo done this half-year past
in fools paradise OF my own max
ing?" he sai';. bitterly.
IL didn't Iuow---I didn't meau,"
she faltered, her eyes dropping beneath
his reproachfu' gaze.
Didn't know! Answer me truly, il
you can" he said, ''Do you really and
truly mean that YOU cannot be my
wifep'
Il really and truly mean cannot be
your wife"
And Harold Courthope frowned, and
looked vexed and disappointed and
sad, and even angry at the petite.
charming little lady. who had played
such terrible havoc with his heart from
almost the very first moment he had
seen her just six months ago.
He had been her most assiduous pre-.
tendu, and had told her weeks before
this how he loved her and wanted hel
for his wife. And the answer had beer
the same--she loved him dearly. dear
", but she could not be his wife, be
cause she had been engaged TO Mr.
Bellingham for--oh, ages. 1t seemed u
her
"But you don't care for him, Eva
you don't love him, do you"
"No, / don't. How could l, when |
never even have seen himp
"Never have seen him' Why. Is IL
possiblep Never have seen your future
your betrothed husband, / mean"
She shook her pretty little head.
mo. But papa and he are old
friends. and he is very rich, and very
learned, and papa thinks there is no
one in the world like Mr.. Belling-
ham"
"Your fathers old friend! Is that any
reason" holly exclaimed Harold.
"How can you marry him, and yet
love mep Do you love me, Evap"
And there was wonderful thrill of
passion IN his eager question as he
dropped his dark head toward her