The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-07

my. WHARFAGE.
ny THE AUTHOR OF 'pENElopE,' ETC.

you this morning, dears"
How determined she Is to harp on this
one theme.
"He did not come because wanted to
have one day with Bee and Jack; and 50
we ran away"
ayery unseemly conduct for = married
lady. He has not tanned you yet, Madge,"
she says, laughing.
exclaim, with more truth than pru.
dence--
"Oh, please don't remind me that am
married! For one day let me try to forget
the fact"
laugh as / speak; but the laugh dies
suddenly on my lips. There Is . little stir
behind, and turn and see my husband
standing in the doorway. Our eyes meet,
and know by the panied reproachful look
in Humphreys face that my last speech
has been overheard, and that the careless
words have gone home. And when look
away see another thing, and know that
Colonel Trevannion has seen and under.
stood.
Papa is with Humphrey. hear papa
telling the Colonel that the lodgekceper
informed them we were at Ashurst. Then
he introduces Humphrey, and they are all
talking; and feel weight at my heart,
and start when Humphrey speaks to me /;
and | send y look at him, intending to con-
yey world of sorrowful repentance, which
he seems TO understand, for q softer ex-
preston steals over his face.
.,Was the mushroom-hunt SUGGEST" he
asks.
And / say eyes" gravely, with the con.
yiction stealing over me that 1t Is useless
to try to be what used to be, for no mush.
room hunt or country ramble can ever be
the same again.
Then Miss Trevannion draws Humphrey
into conversation, and | hear her extolling
the sweetness and naturalness OF my char
acter; and think poor Humphrey has not
seen much Of tue sweet side Of my nature
as vet. Worse still, she repeats what
said about himself, and wish she had not
for 1t looks like hypocrisy.
Wedo not stay long. Papa has his round
of parish duties to attend TO, and we all
walk back with him. have eyaded the
serious talk with the Colonel today, but
he makes us promise to come and take
luncheon with him tomorrow, and feel
sure shall not escape then.
plant myself beside papa on the home
ward walk; and Humphrey walks with
Bee and Jack. The morning has not been
success, after all; the day is bright and
lovely still, but the dew is off the fields,
and our pleasure is gone.
CHAPTER x.
Eleven O'clock; and we are oil getting
ready for the luncheon.party at Ashurst.
"Put on something pretty" says Hum
phrey. And turn with a saucy smile.
"What shall wear, my lord, silk or sat
in?"
"Anythlng you like, Madgie, except the
gown you had on yesterday"
"Humphrey"-I am standing In front Of
him, flushed with indignation--T was
happier in that old gown, as you call 1t,
than shall ever be again p
~ did not think you looked very happy
yesterday"
His voice is quiet, mine 4 dangerously
unsteady.
81 did not mean yesterday. DO you think
have been happy for one moment since
since"
"Since your marriage" he breaks, in still
very quietly. '0O vi, MduSlCs
look up and sec his under lip culver;
but 70 on recklessly.
"Well, since my marriage, II ~ like
me to say 1t. But that old dress ycnsneer
at was what I wore when was q home
before met you, before I spoilt my own
life and yoursW bringing out tho words
with passionate incoherence.
But he understands me; for he turns
away YEARLY and goes to the window, and
does not speak--he only sigh, long weary
sigh. " 7''" '"' S''
"Humphrey, are you sorry you married
meS" ioa
He turns at the question, and comes back
to me, and speaks in low voice that some.
how hurts me more than any ebullition Of
temper would have done.
~ am sorry for your sake, child, not for
my own"
"You will get to hate me-" whisper
sadly, and feel his hand closing quickly
and tightly over mine.
ssMadgie, If you broke my heart I mus,
love you stillw he says; and his strong
voice quivers
l rest my forehead on his hand, and sol
out In the bitterness Of my heart
"Humphrey, Humphrey, do you care FOL
me SO muchs" And then am ashamed o
myself; and, when speak next, my yoc,
has resumed it's natural tone. "To &,
back to the original question what shall
wearf''
"The dress you wore on Sunday" Hum
phrey suggests, and bends his face owe
mine. "Give me kiss, my wife"
"Oh, what nonsensev' l say, but ks
him as he wishes, laughing little kiss
like butterHy's touch, as careless and Q
neeting.
Half an hour later come down arraye
in the olive-green cashmere, with the hi
and feathers on one side of my head.
Chow nice you look, Msdgiew observe
Lena, scanning me from head to foot
"And what pretty glovesW
1 am drawing on pale primrose three
button gloves. Humphrey comes over an
buttons them, holding my hand very afet
tionately as he does so.
any darling, you are looking quite your
selfv he says In . whisper; and look u
at him and laugh.
Then catch Bee watching us, takin
stock for her next attempt Ut novel.wrii
ing; 70 / withdraw my hand suddenly.
"Are we all resdy'' I remark, lookin
round. 81 think we ought to start"
A little pucker Of discomfort Is on Lena
face.
al feel so shabby in this old Dress" sh
whispers, a. we all file down the avenu,
0And my gloves aren't At 10 be teenn