The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-05-08

Ethel asked her brother eagerly,
"Am l to answer YOU rs You wish, Ethel,
or as think" Philip replied.
..Lct us have the truth of course, Won,
silly boy! DO you think Florence will
come with usy 1t will be so much nicer If
she does. DO ask herr
$40, Ethel, cannot do that; she snub.
bed me u little too plainly the last time
My feeling. will not stand it again"
"JuSt take it for granted that she is com.
ing. and don't ask her ut ALL" common-
sense Maud suggested.
"Maud is always right" said her broth.
er. cit will be by far the best plan"
"And we have dincd earlier on purpose"
Ethel remarked.
The matter in question was not very i'm
portant; nevertheless the peace of mind of
several persons seemed rather deeply in.
yoyed in II. Miss Worthington, with a
flushed face and wildly beating heart, was
pacing her own room and Philip CARING
ton was caring very much more than he
chose to show. Periodically Mt his cham
bers he gave an entertainment to his sis
tiers and their friends. the chief pleasures
of which must have been the novelty of the
scene and the amuSemcntS, for the guests
were allowed to dabblc in few slightly
dangerous experiments in chemistry, under
the watchful supervision Of their enter
tainer.
On this occasion unusually elaborate
preparations had been made for the recep-
ton of Florence. Philip had given her the
invitation himself, and had been but little
annoyed by her obstinate refusal. Her
temper had been slightly ruflled before
hand, which was fatal to her acceptance,
in spite of her yearninG wildly to 80.
Moreover, Florence had unluckily re-
ceivcd a long letter from Lady Raven that
morning, fun of most ari>tocratic arrange
ments for the tuturc--pans that should
discntanglC Florence cOurtcOuSly from her
Objectionable relatives. Miss Worthington
was trying hard, though rather vainly, TO
force herself to believe that, low as her
fate had lately dragged her, she had not
yet fallen so irrctricyaby MS to condesccnd
TO accept any hospitality or amusement at
her cousins hated shop; but she knew
too well that in her heart she would have
given anything that she possessed TO see
Philips chambers and private rooms, to re-
cciyc pleasures from hands she was learn
ing to love too WELL whose lghtcst touch
would sometimes thrill dangerously through
her whole frame. The way to yield, now
however to please herself, was not made
sufficiently easy to her. Had Philip him
self asked her again, urged her enough, She
would have gratiiied her burning desire by
graciously Yielding; but he had done so on
the previous occasion, when she cared less
and would not be prevailed upon, and now
his invitation was not repeated,
In vain Maud took il for granted that
she was coming with them that bright az
ternoon-nay, She even urged hcr-whilc
pretty Ethel pleaded-pleading which few
could have resisted. Florence waited like
spoilt child for words that did not come,
for sweet voice that was dumb; and her
persistent refusal became almost fearful
with veXaton, the girls thought at their
persistence, and they ceased to urge.
The time was at hand, and they were all
on the point Of starting for oxford street
and the dreadful shop, their pleasure not
little spoilt by their cousins uusociablc-
ness. Florence tried TO settle down to
answer her aunts letters, but was almost
in tears as she saw the girls pass her door,
nodding their goodbye on the way and
promising not to be late. Then there was
q IIOiltHt llu-flluE III TUG Udlly anu lIlI-
Up ran up stairs for something he had for
gotten. An irrepreS,ble impulse brought
Florence to her door as he was hurrying
past, and he stopped. Her eyes were
fearful and her voice was trcmuOus; she
was little used to self.denial, and it tried
her Sorcly.
"Philip, may Gomez" In another mo-
mcnt she had broken down, and was turn.
ing away
"Wonders will never cease" thought
Philip, following Florence at once in.
to her ROOM Again his hand lightly
touched her waist, aud this time il did
not seem TO degrade her a. ii had done be-
fore.
"May you come, Florence? DO hear
rightly! My dear child, yes a thousand
times. You had nearly spoilt all my pleas
dcar--do you hear" he asked,
bending close to her. "Why did you leave
1t to the last? 1t is the mcrcst chance we
had not started"
Nou never asked me-" Florence said
like spolt child, as She was.
"Not this time, Florcnce-your refusal
was a little too decided the last. But |
Shall know now. Your NO always means
. - W. IH' lulNIt, Uc hulu laughing
81 will never take your 30 again, rcmem-
Der that" he added earnestly. "Now get
ready quickly or the Hastings party will |
arrive before Us. They are coming-you
know that" he said half fcariuly.
"Oh, yes, | know that ~ Florence am
'wered ncryously; and Philip Darlington
turned away, his pulses throbbing, his eyes
seemingly opened to such sudden flash Of
sunlight ~ nearly dazcd him.
No longer need he rcprcss all his ycarn.
ngs, all his feelings, Us he had hitherto
lone. What ii he had mistaken his cousin
rom the first, If her pride had only been
reticencc--a spoilt girls coquctryy
"GirIs, waltz he shouted. difference
Is COming"
In their surprise Ethel and Maud ran up
italrs TO know the truth, and found Miss
" orthington nearly dressed, her Grape veil
lrawn tightly over her face.
"Why Florence, what made you change
your mind 80 quickly" Maud asked, with
,ome reason.
"Bccallsc she knew We wished it," Phil.
y answered with unusual shortncss.
A few minutes later they were all OIL,
IN the fresh autumn air, FlOrcnce's hand
held tightly under her cousins arm, liz.
Tie shame, little nervousness, and a great
deal Of happiness in her heart: but She
soon found herself talking animatcdIy with