The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-12-18
CHAPTER III.

Aunt Esther's letter was, after all, only
an envelope in her hand writing enclosing
q letter from some one else, with a few
words from herself scrubbed on its cover
II won't write to you now, dear Lucy,
as you are coming home so soon and |
have nothing to say to you but that l love
you. | forward this letter to you at
once, as it is marked Immediate" What
an important little person you are to re-
ceive letters marked in this way! have
been puzzling myself all the morning to
know from whom it can be-" Lucy puz-
zled herself too, and that for some time,
without remembering that her doubts
could be set at rest by opening it; it was
too business-like in its appearance to be
very attractive. When she did open it,
it changed the aspect Of her life hence
in which it affected Lucy's future, per-
haps that in which the reader is likely to
he the most interested is how it bore on
her relations with the man who was cost
ing her so much suffering, ami that is best
told by letter Of Mrs. Mostyn's, dated
September oath, in answer to his, received
on September 14th;-
"DEAR SIR:--I duly received your letter, and
as duly showed it to my sister, on the evening
Of the ball at which we had hoped to see you.-
It would be foolish and unworthy if were to
say that your profession Of affection for my
sister took me by surprise. i had seen for
some time that you were very fond of her. |
had no means of ascertaining the depth Of your
affection, for | did not know then the import
ance you attached to taking high position In
the county. then thought your idea of hap
piness might limit itself TO wnning the girl you
loved az she were to be won and living with
her on an income which ] always understood TO
be sufficient for ordinary requirements. You,
however, have informed me Of the extent Of
your feeling for her, of your wishes for the f,l-
ture and fear of offending your uncle Sir Rich
ard. My sister quite sees and understands your
position, and readily acquesces in your wish
TO meet her no more. She, and more strongly
still on her part beg you to hold to this, as any
renewal Of acquaintance would be painful to
her after you have so clearly stated your feel.
ings.
You will doubtless be glad to know that this
ueCltlOn Oh yours III no way aIeCts my slstefS
happiness; and you will also, dare say, be
pleased to hear Of a great piece of good for
tune which has befalen her. You, who 80
keenly appreciate this worlds wealth, will DO
able TO understand what great thing II is for
her to suddenly become the ownerof u large for
tune. person with whom she had but Il slight
acquaintance died about ten days ago and left
her all he had. 1t is needless to say how large
gNpnga do, 4 ,F.t "a knA
pu She has beautiful house In Chester Square.
Il large estate and house IN Cumberland, ana
money besides. She will have, they say, at
least 5000 year She heard Of 1t the very
uay after the ball, no even If your letter had
oeen one to cause her pain, which am happy
10 INFORM you was not the case, this news would
nave speedily cured her She is now actually
rlcher than the uncle Of whom you stand in
such awe. write thus fulv because am not