The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-04-09


word like one intoxicated
The days went by, and after this Ar
mold spent every leisure moment at the
cottage. Mabel Vere--for such he
learned was her name--was not an in
valid exactly, but she said the air suited
her, and she needed rest and quiet al
ter the horrors Of that night, and there
was nothing to call her away, So she
remained, idling away the hours in
rambling on the beach, with Arnold for
her companion, or in long tefe-d-teteS
in the homely little parlor,
At last there came day when the
Young man found Miss We're sitting
with an open letter in her lap, looking
nervous and troubled,
II am going away she said as he
entered. This letter is from my faith
er, He wishes me to return home at
once
A red cloud swan before Arnold's
eyes. Going away! Should he see her
no morep 1t was terrible thought.
He sunk on low stool Mt her feet,
scarcely knowing what he did.
Il Ou w Hol mean lllul am hcNOi w
ace you AGAIN.
Eyes, must 90 tomorrow"
'No, no, no. cannot give you up.
Mabel, do you not realize that | love
youP"
Her jewellcd hands were clasped
closely in his own, and he looked up at
her with eager, imploring eyes. Just
then she was TO him the on y woman
in the whole world.
"Hush," she said, drawing back, as
though his passion half frightened her.
81 did not dream of this. Rachel loves
you'll thought are YOU not pledged to
herpn
"There is no pledge between u.s." he
interrupted But | have acted like
villain. That girl may break her heart
over my perlidy, and ye,--and yet"
His voice broke, and, yielding to the
madness of the moment, he caught her
to his heart.
For brief time he was Supremacy
happy. But when they parted, an hour
later, Mabel said to him. with quiet de-
cision:
Nothing must be said of-of our en-
gagement. will 90 away tomorrow
as though nothing unusual had oc-
cured. You must not follow until |
send for you"
She went, and Arnold remained be-
hind. The weeks rolled on, and finally
heightened into months, but the mes
sage for which he anXiously waited did
not come.
The suspense finally became intoler-
able, and he determined to set out to
seek her
1t was long journey, but it ended at
last. Late one never-to-be-forgotten
night he came up opposite the house
where Mabel We're lived, on q fashion
able avenue in New York. II was blaz-
ing with light. The sound of music
and revelry came from within. Arnold
stood motionless for a moment, with a
strange feeling at his heart, then, re-
covering himself little, climbed the
steps to the open door.
II must see Miss Vere," he said,
eagerly, to the servant. "Be good
enough to tell her il is some one from
Chesapeake
Before the man could reply, Arnold
heard the sharp rustic of silk, and a
beautiful woman came down the hall.
"Who is it, Jamesp" he heard her
say.
The next instant she recognized him.
She stood for moment as if turned TO
stone, frightened glare in the beaut-
full eyes he remembered so well. Then,
frigid smile broke over her naughty
face.
"You here, Mr.. Geith3 This is sur
prising."
"a waited a long while for the sum-
mons that never came he said, in q
husky voice.
ibid you really expect to hear from
me againp" she returned. why, |
had almost forgotten your existence.
1t is unfortunate you took the trouble to
come so far. am to be married to
Harold Mortimer next week"
Arnold heard no more He got out
of the house somehow, and once in the
open street, ran on recklessly, half mad
anu lTuIllC Win InlsclS'
Suddenly roll of wheels came up
behind him; he experienced something
like blow, followed by sharp, sting
ing sense of pain, then consciousness
left him.
For weeks afterwards he lay in a
darkened room, lowering between life
and death. The light of reason had
died out utterly, and he babbed con-
tinually of Mabel, Rachel, and the
dreary old signal station.
AT last the crisis came, and he began
slowly to convalescc, One day he was
lying with his face to the wall, feeling
utterly homesick, when the nurse en-
tered, and said in trembling voice
''Some one is here TO see YOU, sir.
an old friend"
He thought she meant Mabel, and
quickly raised his hand.
'Send her away, | will have nothing
to do with the false siren"
The next instant u gentle step came
TO the couch, and he felt some one
touch his forehead. Turning his head,
q hoarse, gasping cry came from his
lips.
Rachel, little RACHEL is it possiblep"
She leaned over him, her tears falling
fast on his upturned face.
"The kind people who have taken