The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-14

We have been at home a week. Seven
suns have risen and set since | came to
Carstairs, and we are supposed TO have
settled down.
Humphrey has taken a painting "ft,"
and spends hours in eden" he has had
fitted up for himself. He is busy with
picture while the inspiration is upon him;
and remember the subject we'll, the sea
and mountain, and the red-sailed fishing
boats becalmed. Sometimes sit with him
Will" he paints; but he Is very quiet over
n,s work ana isiip away and wander about,
."o O'nuo' leei ti'oy am the mistress Of
Inv Inv r nouse. ! nave rc-arranged the draw.
and old-fsehioned, with the great old arm
chairs and stiff sofas upholstered In pale
drab brocade, and the windows look out
upon the garden, and upon labyrinth of
close-clipped yew that looks funeral like
when the day is closing in.
Mrs Steele reigns supreme, and | have
no fault to find with her arrangements;
the dinners are excellent, and my husband
is satisfied. But have nothing to do and
feel like visitor. My habit has not como
yet, and the rides on the Ranger are pleas.
uros for the future still
To-day ! am sitting in the drawing.room
making companions Of two kittens for
want of better company. have spent the
mornins in Humphreys studio, till / got
tired OF watching him painting and contem.
plating the back Of his head and noting how
the picture grew under his hand. | re.
member it so WELL the spot where | told
him was sorry married him. The kit
tens are very good company, and frolic
about under the sofa, and play at hide-and.
seek ina wildly cheerful manner round the
legs of the table, ! am down upon nv
knees diving for one Of the little fluffy
things under the sofa, when | hear Der.
nard's voice in the most pompous manner
announcing
"Mrs. and Miss Delacourt."
drag back my head and shoulders, hay.
ing grasped the kitten by the hind leg, and
scramble to my feet, flushed and breath.
less, to confront my visitors. ! am heart.
ly ashamed Of being caught in such a child.
ish amusement, and for once In my life
wish Humphrey was with me. So ] shake
hands with hot cheeks, and the kitten
scr ambles up to my shoulder.
Humphrey has told me of tie Della.
courts, who live at a place called Ripley;
so know who they are. Mrs. Delacourt
looks kind placid old lady, not calculat.
cd to alarm any one; but at one glance |
condemn Miss Delacourt as "fast." Her
dress is "mannish;" she has stand.up
collar and a mans tic; her hair is "rolled
away into nothing" and mans hard hat
is set firmly over her straight dark brows.
Her whole get-up resembles male attire as
much rs possible; from head to foot she ia
a girl Of the period. But like her face Il
isso open and frank, with ong-lashed dark
eyes, a small high nose, and q mouth that
feel sure can smile satirically when she
wishes. / am puzzled ,shcn / meet her
steady smiling eyes; for there is something
ABOUT her face that is strangely familiar to
me. have either dreamed about her or
seen her before. All the time am listen.
Ing to Mrs. Delacourt am furtiyely watch.
my the handsome high-brcd face, and
wondering where have met Miss Della
court.
Bernard brings In tea, and for the first
time do the honors in my own house, and
dispense tea In tiny cups of rare china
some OF old Anthony Carstair's collecting.
l reel terribly shy and frightened, and
have an inward conviction that Miss Del.
acourt Is taking every thing in for future
delcctation.
al saw you on Sunday In church, Mrs.
Carstairs,' she says. ADO you know you
were an object of much curosltyy Every
one has been wondering what you would
be like"
! laugh little, and ask IL answer tho
expectation OF the everybody" in the
Icontinncd next Sunday l.