The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-09-11
CHATTER XIX.


him avery smiling, pleased welcome. The
idea of Felicia Grant keep steadily in the
background do not like strange faces,
and wish she were not coming; but do
not suppose she will be much in my way.
go to dress-for 1t behooves me to look
fair in my husbands eyes, and it is only
right that should look my best. II can
| please him In no other fashion, at least the
| face he loves must look its faiPest for his
sake. arraymyself In long sheeny dress
of ivory white, put bunch of fresh vio-
lets and snowdrops in my hair, another In
the front of my dress, and stand looking at
my reflection, with grave face and sad.
dened eyes. / am young, well-dressed,
passing fair with the beauty that is said to
be but skin-deep; and yet / turn away
with sigh from the contemplation Of a
face that might well give pleasure to its
owner.
Slowly 60 down the wide staircase,
| thinking grayely of the husband am so
soon to meet, picturing to myself how his
whole face will light up, howilips and eyes
will smile joyous greeting at first sight
of INT, lhis wife, standing at the open door
to welcome him home.
The house looks warm and comfortable.
There are flashing, cleaning lights in dark
corners and ruddy light from heaped up
fires. There is glow in the west still.
where the February sky is streaked with
pale gold and opal, and the delicate tracery
Of the elm trees stand out clear and well
Cefned in the yellow light.
Standing in the deep window behind the
heavy curtains, | am looking out, listening
for the first sound of the carriage-wheels.
How quiet the night is! Not sound is
10 be heard but the distant wash and MUIR
MUIR of the restless sea. The violet and
gray shadows are creeping over the sky
and botting out the pale fires in the west.
And am sad--l know not why-with q
swelling in my heart-sad, and my husband
returning home. 1t comes back to me all
al once with a rush, the awful wrong did
Humphrey when | became his wife, a
wrong that can never be set right. BY no
possibility can | ever undo that act. And
DO not love him. | try to think do; but
| IL is more an affection born of pity that |
feel than any thing else; and when he
comes home shall not be glad to feel his
arms around me and his kisses on my face.
Fcor Humphrey! I am pleased that he
i W
because | am getting used TO this grave
husband of mine, with his warm loving
heart--the heart that is so quick to feel, SO
ready to respond TO kind word or look of
mine.
al will care for him." say in low pas
sionate tone. az will live for him." And
press my hands together. and vow to my
self that mean to keep my word.
There is grinding Of wheels coming up
the avenue, and fly out to the hall. Ber-
nard throws open the door, and | stand in
the food of light. The carriage door
opens, and tall fgura springs out. see
my husbands face turn to me for second,
and then he helps Felicia Grant out, and
together they come up the steps.
"Humphreyw l cry with little gasp
and both hands outstretched; and / feel
his strong arms strain me tightly to his
breast for one moment.
"Wife, darlingW he says In his rich
voice, tremulous in his glad eagerness, and
then he lets me go. "This is Felicia, Mad.
gie."
turn, and hold out hand TO a slim fig
| ure robed in black from head to foot.
say few shy words Of welcome as we
come into the hall, and the usual fuss of an
arrival Is going on. Bernard is actively en-
gagged In carrying in rugs and wraps. By
the light In the hall / can see Felicia
Grants face.
She seems to be about my own height,
with very pale oval face, and eyes that
can only describe as fawn-like, they are
so shrinking and timd. Her hair is very
fair, and hangs In long thick plat down
her back, reaching to her waist. She looks
very tired, very sad, and, and there are
black circles round her sorrowful brown
eyes.
81 am sure you are very tired" say
"Would you not like to come up to your
rocm1"
"Thank YOU" she answers in very sad
weary voice; and see Humphreys eyes
watching me with the old look Of adora-
tioI.
"Come-I will lead the way" And the
sad black figure follows me up the stair
case and along the corridor to the room
that have chosen to be her habitation.-
1t is one Of the sunny apartments that ar
ranged with such loving care for Bee and
Lena, and with pang see n new inmate
passing over the threshold.
| Felicia Grant turns her pale wistful face
to me as we enter the room and the bright
fire CLEANS welcome.
"Tlank you, Mrs. Carstars," she says.
"You are very kind to have me here, and
your husband has been very good to me; 1
can never forget all his kindness when"
The soft eyes suddenly fill with tears,
and the faltering words stop. So pitiful
and sad she looks that take her hand and
hold it in mine.
"You must not talk of kindness; and |
hope you will be happy with U.s."
The tears roll down her cheeks, and she
raises her other hand to brush them away.
"You are tired" say kindly. "I will
send my maid to help you; and do not
dress for dinner tonight, for we are quite
alone"
Humphrey comes down presently, and
finds me standing by the fire in the draw.
ing.room, gazing dreamily into the leap
tho lets of flame
Continued Next suuday.)
L ~