The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-07-01

patty, she did not hear the closing of
the outer door, which his quick ear de-
tectod, nor see the hand sweep aside
the portiere as he bent to say farewell.
MAY you be happy, dear!'' he said,
raising his voice little, so that one
standing outside might hear the words
at is as you say-too late to retrieve
our mistake. 1t is lwho have been tho
fool-it is who must bear the punish
ment.n
Then lifting the little fingers he held
to his lips, he pressed upon them one
long, passionate kiss, and passed out
through the doorway by which Cyril
Harcourt had entered in.
The latter's face was very pale, and
had upon it an expression of utter be-
wilderment.
Ethel came forward to meet him, lay
ing her fair head upon his breast with
something like a sob. He threw his
arm lovingly, protcctingly about her.
What is it, little one?' he asked.
"What was that man saying as | came
in?n
"Nothing-nothingw she answered,
hurriedly. Don't let us talk OF him.
And without giving him time to re-
ply, she ratified on, with forced light
ness, on other things. A question rose
to Cyrips lips, but he checked it. I'M
consciously, the conversation in the
club, that morning, REQUIRED to him.
Let Ethel speak or keep silent--not
thus easily might his perfect confidence
in her be sullied. Yet even the resolu>
ton breathed the first breath upon the
mirror.
A month passed, and Hubert Daryls
name had never been mentioned be-
tween them; yet twice Cyril had seen
his card upon Ethel's table, and twice
other men had met and seen him there.
1t seemed to him that he avoided the
house when his visits might be timed.
One night, after bidding Ethel good
night, he sauntered into his club, taking
table at its furthest end, and calling
for some light refreshment, not MOTTO
ing that two men passed into a little
room beyond, divided from the other
by screen, until he was arrested by
the sound of q voice he knew. He felt
himself no eavesdropper; he had right
to hear anything thus spoken-aye, a
double right-for though no name was
mentioned he knew that it was of
Ethel they spoke.
Eyes, we loved each other" one
said, seemingly lowering his voice, the
screen hiding the glance of triumph
shot through it toward him, who at last
had given him his long-covcted oppor-
tunity; but could not speak before 60
ing abroad. She misunderstood my ST.
lence, and through pique, perhaps
perhaps through mere womanly incon-
sistency-b etrothed herself to another.
Now she feels she must at the demand
of honor abide the issue. fhave seen
her but two OF three times. II is too
trying an ordeal for us both. Once |
met him there. Had he been five min
utes earlier the whole truth would have
been revealed to him. | dare not, for
her sake, run the risk another time. 1t
is the old, old story of two lives wreck
ed. Do you wonder now that | am a
changed man, Fred? Forgive my frank
ness; but there are moments when a
man must speak to some living thing,
VI die!n
Inere were few murmured worno &c
sympathy from his companion, but
Cyril heard them not, as he staggered
from the place.
Major Daryl heard the unsteady step
and smiled grimly.
Next weekday, tomorrow, my
lady--you will be free! have played
my cards well. shall first sympathizc,
then WOO, and then, my darling, win
and wear you. For such guerdon,
more urgent measures were eXcusable,
and | have but applied a little leaven
of eXaggeration to bare facts-time,
place, and audience carefully chosen"
But in Cyril Harcourt's brain all was
chaos--chaos even when the morning
broke, and found him seated still at his
writing-table, with a few hastily writ
ten lines staring him in the face. They
were these:
Last night learned all the truth,
Ethel. | write now 10 bid you good
bye. | give you back your troth.
would thank you for these few months
of happiness, but that it is cruelty to a
blind man to give him vision only
again TO rob him of it. But you doubt
less meant it for the best, and and
you seemed so happy, dear. that / could
not deem you otherwise"
II was ten o'clock when this note
was delivered to Ethel. She read it
with gasping breath and wide-open,
staring eyes of incrodulty.
at is q prctenceM Pride cried "Let
him 60"
NAY it is plot to separate YOU"
argued Love. See him once, face to
face--read in his eyes the truth. 1t
can do your womauliness no wrong; it
may save your LIES happiness.
The following morning Cyril Har-
court stood in his bachelor quarters,
trunks and valises strapped for cont.
mental tour
The carriage was at the door to carry
him to the station, when it gave way to
another, out of which stepped young
and lovely girl.
Another minute, and she was ushered
into the presence of the man who had
written her those cold, inexplicable
words Of farewell.
He grew deadly pale and staggered
back. She was quiet, calm, and self
pOgsessnd