The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-10

And Harold escorted her back TO
the ballroom, where he resigned her
to her partner without another word.
HE shan't have her." he thought,
"and that's all there is about 1t. An
old man--forty-seven years old, Wild
over. with grown-up girl, to marry
my dainty little Eva Wen s:0p'
The saucest black eyes imaginable,
and creamy-olive complexion, with q
fine, luscious rose-tint on her cheeks;
red mouth, like ripe strawberry, and
a distracting dimple on her cheek when
she laughed; form like Juno-tall,
perfect, distingue--that was Ethel
Lindsay standing in Lady Hamerton's
drawing-room, her lemon-silk dress and
hot-hearted crimson roses making q
perfect tropical picture OF her.
And Harold Courtbope thought that
Of all royal creatures she was queen
royal, as he acknowledged his hostess in
PRODUCTION and bowed, vanquished by
her beauty any woman's beauty,
since that dismal time three years back,
when he had been forced to give Eva
Cresslngham up.
She had kept her word and married
Mr.. Bellingham, and had gone abroad
at once after the wedding, and had not
returned,
The weeks, and months, and years
had brought slow healing to Harold.
but the sweet possibility of hope and
happiness had never rs much as
dawned upon him, until he met Ethel
Lindsay, q new, radiant star, who had
flashed like comet into the social
armament.
Fresh from school, in all her exqus-
ito beauty, and witchery. and grace,
she had translixed Harold, in common
with score of others, and-was hard
ly won by him at last, when, after
doubts and fears, he had told her he
loved her with the strongest love Of his
life.
OF his earliest love affair he honestly
told her, although Eva's name or her
husbands never passed his lips; for,
he argued. there was every reason to
suppose that, when the Bellinghams re-
turned, no and his wife would meet
them often.
"But you do not care--you do not
love me less that have pleaded with
another woman to be my wife, my dar-
lingp' he asked her.
"You love me now-you love me
best" she answered, passionately.
For weeks the exquisite happiness
went on, and then Harold declared his
intention of seeing her beloved father,
and formally requesting his darling of
him.
II want you to consent to an early
marriage, my sweet" he urged, impa-
tiently; "and shall tell your father
you commissioned me carte blanche.
May Ip"
She laughed and blushed.
II suppose you will tell him what
YOU please" she answered. "You will
find papa just the dearest fellow in all
the world"
"Ethelr'
"Well, the dearest, best father, I
mean. He will love you so, Harold.
know--he couldn't help it, you
know"
She flashed him saucy look that
made him catch her in his arms and
punish her with kisses.
MAY your prophecy be true. my
darling l will 60 to him at once"
And the following morning saw
Harold Courthope standing before
tall MISUNDERSTANDING gentleman
All elderly gentleman, very like his dar-
ling, with handsome, dark eyes, and
dignifed, courtly manner that was i'm
pressive and gracious, as he took Har-
ODDS hand and smiled and bowed
welcome.
my daughters friend. Mr. Court
hope, be seated. l am glad to see you!
About the very first guest have seen
since our arrival"
"Mr. Lindsay" Harold said, then
was little surprised by the look that
flashed from the gentleman's eyes.
'Ibeg your pardon. Has not Ethel
told you. my name is Bellingham? She
is my stepdaughter, you will remem.
ber All, my dear, come in! An old
friend of yours, think. Evap Mrs.
Bellingham, Mr.. Courthope."
Just the faintest flush was visible on
Eva's face as she came frankly forward
and laid her hand in Harold's.
"Are you surprised? | am glad to
soc you, Harold. Where is Ethelp"
As she turned questioningly to her
husband, there was no possibility Of
IIarolTs failing to see the look of ado
ration and pride on her face, and the
knowledge Of that went rcalizingly
home to him almost before he accepted
tho strangeness Of their positions.
This, then, was Aubrey Bellingham
this elegant, princely gentleman,
who would have been noticeable in any
society. This the man from whom he
sw0re TO save little Eva!
He understood it all now at one
glance. Eva had obeyed her parents
wish. and her husband had taught her
to love him above all men, and. in his
heart. Harold did not wonder that she
had preferred Aubrey Bellingham to
himself.
But the strange romance Of IL all!
Ethel, Mr. Bellingham's step-daughter,
and Eva's! and became praying for
hsr hand!
Agay little laugh from Mrs. Bolling-
ham dissipated all the peculiarly OF