The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-17
EVER FAITHFUL.

81 am so sorry, Leonard. thought
YOU knew all about it, and that your
kindness to me was prompted by pure
friendship. You do not blame me, do
you9'
Leonard Carstone gazed nm instant
regretfully into the sweet, though
troubled face of the speaker; then he
caught her hand impulsively and wrung
it until she could have cried with pain
80 passionate was his earnest pres
sure
mo. Lucy, don't find any fault
with you. 1t was my own hopes that
deceived me. Now think OF it, you
have acted toward me like sister--not
like girl in love- God bless you, and
make you happy with the man you
have chosen to be your husband"
A sudden, startled look in Lucy's
eyes caused him to relnquish her hand,
and turn to see what had caused the
change of expression.
A young man in gamekeeper' attire,
with uble-barreled gun under his
arm, opened the door, and pausing on
the threshold, now stood regarding
them with a look Of mingled surprise
and anger.
''ls it you, Ralph" Leonard said.
Il thought by Lucy's face it was less
welcome intruder" Then he turned
to her. Goodbye, and remember
what l have just said. II you ever
want friend. just let me know and
I'll come to you through fire or water"
Then he brushed past the newcomer,
in his disappointment and agitation
hardly giving him another glance.
Ralph Hunter made a motion rs
though he would restrain him, but
seemed to take second thought, and
stood watching him with baleful
look in his black eyes. Then he csught
Answer mes question, and answer
truly, my girl, or you'll rue II" he
said, sternly. ''Was that fellow MAX
ing love to youp'
Something in her lovers face made
Lucy hesitate before answering. She
knew of his vindictive, passionate tenn
per, although to her, until now, he had
ever been as gentle as lamb. In
deed, it had been the main source of
his attraction TO her--the idea that one
so rough and unmanageable in other
hands should be so docile in her own.
Her hesitation now was for Leonards
sake. She did not wish tc have any
harm come TO the fair-faced youth
whose only offence consisted in having
placed his affections upon one who was
already betrothed To another.
But her momentary delay in answer
ing was sufficient to infame Ralph's
anger to an ungovernable point. He
had seen Leonard holding her hand,
and had imagined his eager words to
be the outpourings Of passion, instead
Of p remuneration Of his hopes.
His face paled to the very lips.
81 see how 1t Isl" he Kissed through
his half-closed teeth; that baby
checked lad has come with his dandi-
fed ways and won away my treasure!
I'll have my revenge upon you bothI'
As he spoke he rushed madly out of
the door. intending, 1t was evident, to
follow Leonard and shoot him.
But Lucy was too quick for him. AL.
though too frightened to speak. she
caught him by the arm and arrested
his frantic pursuit. trying to force the
words that would explain all satisfac-
torily from her lips. But they refused
to obey her bidding. 1t was MS though
thew had been paralyzed
"Then, IL you will interfere between
me and my just anger, take the conse-
quences! Ifyou do not love me you
shall not make anyone else happy, as |
am living mani"
A shot rang out through the room.
and poor innocent Lucy was its target!
Without moan she sank down. all the
color fading out from her pretty face,
and leaving it as white as the snow
that covered the wintry landscape that
held the earth in its icy mantle.
When the Infatuated man saw what
he had done, he stood for an instant
looking down at his victim. Then he
turned the muzzle Of his gun toward
his own heart, and without q word,
emptied the remaining barrel into 1t.
The sound Of the first shot had
reached Leonard's ears, and while
pausing instinctively to discover from
what direction it came, he heard the
other. Could II be from the cottarep
ne hastened back, and this was The
terrible sight that confronted him--ex..
tended upon the floor lay the two. TO
all appearance, lifeless bodies Of those
whom he had but just left In the prime
OF health and strength.
The cottage was lonely one, situat-
ed at quite q distance from any other
dwelling. But the young man knew
that Lucy's father and brother were
usually al work in tho field close by,
and before long they came Fastening
home with . Eingling Of surprise and
alarm upon their faces; for tho double
report had reached their ears also
Leonard met them at tho door, and
told them what had happened In few
brief words.
H. Ralph's gun had done its work well