The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-07-31

Dut We uon want 10 be exOrbitant,"
graciously went on Ann Azalea. so.
sooner than be at the expense of law
suit I'll take some trihe or other in
pay. That screen, for instance" with
her greedy eyes fixed on the pictured
flight OF the scarlet hamingo. Ten
dollars is deal of money. and the
screen is an old-style thing. but
wouldn't mind calling things even,
just 10 ease your conscience. il"
81 couldn't-oh | couldn't" cried
Mrs. Moore. the tears coming into her
eyes. ut was work did as a girl
My own poor mother sketched in the
green rushes and grass with her own
pencil, and-and if any one is to have
it, it already promised to an old FAM
lily friend. who is to pay twenty-five
dollars for it."
Very well" said Miss Harper, ris-
ing, with an ominous toss of her head.
Then, If you really mean to swindle
us"
Miss Harperr'
IF you really mean to swindle u.s."
severely repeated Ann Azalea, 81 may
as well stop in at the constable's on nv
way back and put on the distraint at
once.n
Mrs Moore clasped her thin hands
in sort of nervous horror.
il poor Mabel, who had gone out so
buoyanly to carry home her little par
Gel OF finished work, should return and
find the minions of the law in posses
sion!
81 am selfish creature" she told
herself, Ito prefer my own inclination
to dear Mays happinessv'
Aud so she told Ann Azalea, with a
burst OF tears, that the screen should DO
hers. -,
II will send it to you--in the even.
Ing" said she. piteously.
'1f you'll just wrap bit of brown
paper around it. I'll take it now" sug.
gested Miss Harper, who believed firm
ly in the ancient adage Of the "bird in
the hand being worth two in the bush"
And so the scarlet aamingo was car
ried away in the triumphant arms of
Miss Ann Azalea Harper.
after all. soliloquized she, 81 got 1t
for absolutely nothing. For pa said the
old mahogany bookcase he took OF
them was worth third more than the
rent they owed; and any one but
fool like that whimpering little Mrs.
Moore would have known il perfectly
well. And I'm sure it'll suit Aunt
Hepsy to Tr
I While poor Mrs. Moore, sobbing bit
terly before the empty place where her
beloved screen had stood, felt rs if all
the sweet associations of her early
youth had been wrenched away.
. "Mother-dear mother! why are YOU
crying" questioned Mabel. hurrying
into the room. "ls your neuralgia
headache worse9 Oh, mother! where
is the old screenp I have brought
Miss Milman to see you about ii. She
says she will give you thirty dollars
for it. if"
IL have sold it," said Mrs. Moore;
"for ten dollars. To our landlords
daughter. Or rather have let her
take it away in payment for the balance
OF the rent we owed them"
"She has deceived you motherm
cried Mabel, coloring up with honest
indignation I'VE owed her not
single cent! Oh. dear mother. IL had
only been at homeY
Miss Milman, a stout, short, grizzle-
headed lady, stood still in the centre of
the room, looking sharply about her.
Don't fret, Alice Moore" said she.
Tears never yet did any good. You
may depend upon it, this woman's
cruel deceit will yet recoil upon her
own head. What is your landlords
namep"
Harper" said Mrs. More "Ebe-
nezer Harper.''
"Oh" said Miss Milman.
And then she went away.
Il think she grows more eccentric
every day." said May, looking after the
retreating figure Of the stout lady.
"Rich people have right to be CO.
centric Il they please" sighed Mrs
More, still looking at the empty place
where the screen had once stood.
Dear Aunt Hepsy," said Ann Aza-
lea, radiantly, i've come TO wish YOU
many happy returns Of your birthday.
And here'sa little present. the satin
screen promised you"
) "Ehp" said Aunt Hepsy.
my own work." said Ann Aza,ca.
And do 50 hope you'll like II. v
'Humph! commented tho old LADY,
I've worked day and night to get 1t
iinishcd," said Ann Azalea, feryentlv.
Ann Azalca," said tho old lady,
suddenly becoming inspired with some
degree of animation, '"where do Won
3 expect to 70 to when you dep,
3 Dear Aunt said Ann Azalea, II
don't in the least understand your
because you are telling 4 no,foct