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

~
a. . s.54As.s must come downi Sure
~ INST pretend all thisi"
81" bite sure! certain! You must obey
me. am your elder sister, and know
best"
"Very well, Lettice I will do what you
say--but tell me why I mustf"
because Of the people who are coming.
Some of them may know about it already
all of them will do so soon--and they
will notice how you look, and make their
remarks"
Lucy WINGED visibly; il was very pain
full to her to be discussed in this way
sand shall be more respected, shall l."
she said with strong touch of scorn in
her voice, "if can bear cruel treatment
like this, and appear as if it did not affect
me2'
ut hurts girl dreadfully to be sup
posed to have had a disappointment. No
one must be able to see any difference in
you. only wish there was none wish
you could make up your mind not to feel
it,"
"You want me to be as bad as he isl
should not be very nice if l did not feel
it,"
II suppose, dear, it is impossible for
you not to feel something; only whatever
you do, promise me to come down tonight
as usual, and show nothing. 1t is of the
highest consequence"
~ promise" said Lucy. Slowly she
made her way back to her own room,
where her pretty dress was lying, and on
her way she encountered everywhere
signs Of preparations for the ball-the
ball at which she was to have been so
happy.
Lucy went through the ordeal bravely.
She looked very well, a trihe pale and
naughty perhaps, and there was much
difference Of opinion about her next day,
for some Of her partners said she had
hardly word to say for herself, while
others declared she was full of converse
ton and spirit but no one OWNED that
she was bearing the first shock Of the cru
ellest blow which had been dealt her du-
ring the course of her life. Her sister
Lettce "could not make her out at ALL
Lucy was so odd. She openly said she
was wretchedly unhappy, but she would
permit no expression Of sympathy, and
listen to no conversation on the subject"
81 can't speak of it," she said, when
Mrs Mostyn came to her room after the
ball, and so she said next morning when
the same lady went to help her to pack
AT three o'clock Lucy was to return to
London, and alone, for one of Lettice's
children was i'll. sand you really persist
in leaving usY" she said. "Stay little
longer, Lucy you will be far happier here
with me-"
Lucy shook her head.
-And am sure it is not a good thing
for you to go to wedding; it will only
make you fret about this odious affair"
"No it won't-one thing will not hurt
me more than another. don't want Katie
Williams to remain unmarried because l
do"
"fou will not stay unmarried-you are
quite sure to marry"
81 marry! No, never! II I am sure
Of anything il is of that
~ hate Robert Merivale!" cried Lettuce;
~ hate and despise him-I always shall
"a miserable contemptible-"
"oh please, Lettice, don't-you do give
me such pain"
ut is my belief you love him stilll"
T|Jf course l do" said Lucy simply;
zone can't give up thing like that in
moment"
"You love him still Then, Lucy, If
ever--I don't think it at all likely-but
II ever, at any future time, he were to
ask you to marry him-you would say
yes.' So
n say yes" cried Lucy, "after that
letter! Is il possible you can think SOL
give him up quietly, but ! give him up
forever"
sand yet You say you are miserablei"
ayes, am miserable-I shall not say
much about it though"
swell, hope it won't last long," replied
Lettice.
II was very fond Of him; Ihave been ter
ribly deceived; ] shall get used TO IT some
day, no doubt" She spoke very bitterly,
but her eyes were full Of tears. Lettice
was going to speak, but her sister said,
1Let us name him no more"
The time for departure came--away
drove Lucy and her boxes.
"Of course we have half an hour to
snare" said Mrs. Mostyn. "That is Phil
ip's idea Of punctuality."
"Ten minutes, ma'am," said the station
master in answer to her inquiry.
~That's blessing said Mrs. Mostyn.
aNow, Lucy, II n lot Of odious Litchfieid
people come on the platform. mind you
laugh and talk TO me. You behaved