The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-10-21

her face NJ ms WOfu3 MS sue recalled
that other lover, but he was dead. No
doubt of that. Cliff Dallas had no
power to trouble them.
"What is it, dearN said Charlie, as
he noted the change in her countenance.
81 suppose ought to tell YOU" she
began hurriedly, with averted eyes,
when was at boarding-school, l."
Charlie laughed, and kissed the
words Off her quivering lips.
"Never mind, Charlotte. I'll over
look all the ove-aflairs you had while
at boariing-school, for fancy that my
own record of those days is not quite
clear"
SO Charlotte weakly allowed herself
to be silenced and Charlie, thinking
that she referred to some girlish flirta-
ton, dear to the hearts of boarding.
school misses, gave the matter no fur
Their attention.
In the following September they
we're married; then followed two
months of unalloyed happiness.
For Charlotte put all unpleasant
memories aside, and devoted herself TO
her young husband who loved her so
tenderly. Every day she became more
assured of his goodness and manliness,
Strong he was. and brave, and grand
hearted, yet as gentle, rs sympathtic,
as delicate as woman in his feelings.
After the bridal tour they settled
down in the old ST. Omar mansion,
which stood in the suburbs of the town.
1t was a dreary November day and
Charlie had gone into town, leaving
his young wife alone.
The rain beat drcarily on the win
dows, aud an east wind sobbcd in fit
full way about the corners and down
the chimney.
A feeling of gloom and nervousness
crept into Mrs. S.. Omar's heart;
feeling which she yainly endeavored to
throw off.
Shadows were beginning to gather in
the long drawing-room where Charlotte
paced to and fro, listening for the
sound of her husbands step at the
door.
A tiny bronze clock on corner
bracket struck two silvery notes.
"Half-past fourr' sighed Charlotte
impatienlIy, as she threw herself down
upon a sofa and leaned her head upon
| one arm.
Presently a loud peal of the door
| bell startled the echoes in the great
front hall, and, after some delay, an
unimpressible-looking footman in liv-
cry brought in, upon little silver tray,
note for his mistress.
At the sight Of the address upon the
envelope, Charlotte's heart gave a
great throb. She had barely strength
to motion the servant from the room;
and, left alone she sank shivering into
one Of the velvet-covered chairs, and
stared at the innocent-looking missive
as il it had been ghost.
When, at last, she gained courage TO
open il, she read these words:
'MRs. ST. oxAR,-Doubt!ess this note will Re
surpi'e 10 you, "a was supposed % have
| peri hei with the other passsug'rs OF the i'll
! faiel Claudia. You vi | not be Interested 10
read Ia det6i, how was saved and think q
| calling upon YOU. II Is not however, my In
tenign % cl i'm you as my wife; Tor you may
| as well know that ours was mock marriage
| and hat q wife IL Enlla d at the time 81 was
| performed Therefore you are truly welded
10 the man whose name you now bear. But
| tn fact IL, my dear ma Am, ] must have
money. Y.u NAV have notes or jewels to the
amount f five hundred pounds IN readiness
for me when call tomorrow al three o'cl ok.
or make up your mi u tnst YOUR hu iband
shall know the whole 1t ry 4 our intimacy.
CLIFF DALLAS"
The calmness of desperation settled
down upon her as she read this dread
full note through TO the end.
The footman brought her second
note-ths time from Charlie, who wrote
that he should be detained in the city,
and advised her not 10 wait dinner
| for him.
James," she said quietly, "dinner
need not be served. Your master will
not return until late, and Twill have a
cup Of coffee in my own room"
She went up the grand staircase, her
long, rich robes trailing heavily behind
her, and her hands clasped tightly one
within the other.
A maid brought the requested cup OF
coffee, and then she was once more
alone.
Seating herself at the writing desk,
she penned long, sorrowful, tear
stained letter TO St. Omar, confessing
all that had hitherto been withheld
from him, but assuring him solemnly
that she had believed herself truly
welded to Dallas, just as much as she
had believed Dallas dead when she
married him (St Omar. She en-.
closed Cliff Dalas's note for him 10
read, and, realizing all her shame and
disgrace, she was going away where
Charlie would be troubled no more by
the sight Of her.
Hastily folding and sealing this, she
laid it upon her husbands dressing
table, and, changing her dinner toilet
for shorter and more seryiceable
dress, she wrapped herself in long
cloak and stole unobserved from the
house.
There was anguish aud despair in
her heart as she paused for one mo-
ment on the Threshold before stepping
out into the storm All the folly of her
girlish blunder arose before her, and
tainted her with the memory Of what
might have been.
Within were home, and love, and
warmth and comfort. Without, storm
and darkness, cold and cruel world
Of which she had no practical krowl-
edge.