The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-02-19

movedp All, how easy IL Is Tor us 10
feign. until we encounter the real in
life' and then how hard to weigh the
cold at It's true standard, when all our
scales are tainted with the tinscl we
have called real metal for so longN'
She glanced up quickly, but her eyes
lowered at the fire they met in the coun-
ter glance. ~
MAUD, is this gold or tinsclP' he
questioned.
But the lips ever so ready to re'ort
were silent.
"Gold," said her heart. "Call it tin
sci if you dare"
What was the wonderful fascination
this man possessed that her lips were
silent? 1t was time the play ended.
Why not look up and laugh, and say
"'Tis time | claim the trophy. You
have scored one defeat among our VIC
tories
Darcs any slave speak thus in the
presence of his conquerorP
He stopped lower and still lower he
bent his head, until his mustache
brushed the young, sweet lips in their
rich crimson.
The Girl shivered and was still.
II may come this evening, sweet"
he whispered. "You will be better
able to see me them
She bowed her head.
As silently as he came, he left her to
her glory and her shame.
Poor GEORGE Loyal George! This
was his return And she had thought
She loved him. All, better spare her
pity for herself weak, frail, ptia-
bic self! How she writhed in her own
scorn. and yet she had meant no
wrong,
But the day was wearing on. In the
evening George, too, was to come and
the two men must not meet She could
never look into George Waldron's hon
est eyes again Their hurt, grieyed
look of awful surprise would Kill her.
Without time for thought she scrawl-
ed off the lines that were to tell him all.
She ended:
Don't blame me too harshly, George.
1t was better dear that ! found out my
heart before it was too late"
This note dispatched, half her burden
seemed lifted. She sat down then to
watch and wait.
The afternoon heightened, the even
inc crept in upon its heels, the shadows
darkencd until dissipated by the artiii-
cial light,
Through the empty rooms Maud walk
cd, q restless spirit, The clock struck
eight Another half-hour and he must
be here. What would he say-how
greet her?
The half-hour waned, and still she is
alone.
What does it mean? What could
have detained him?
On the stroke of nine the front bell
peals. She can scarcely be patient un-
i'll the door is opened, but a new disap-
pointment awaits her as servant en-
tiers with note.
She takes it from his hand and tears
it open, under the full blaze Of light
He has been detained. It's his excuse;
but this is what she reads
"Of course you did not expect me. |
did not care TO hear from lips whose
sweetness have tasted any bitter truths
My trophy, though not hung up to the
vulgar gaze. is none the less treasured
and esteemed, believe me, You cannot
blame me that played the part you
cast form me. | have enjoyed the little
drama; so doubtless have you, with
the other arch conSpirators OF the plot.
Forewarned is forearmed. In this case
| assure you, | had need to remember
and TO heed the old adage. You were
mcrcicss. She who turned traitor to
you owe heavy debt of gratitude,
since she has saved me from an igno-
minious Waterloo. | have my silent
trophy. You, in this written acknowl-
edgcmcnt, have your avowcd one, We
are then, quits. Good-bycl ] leave
New York tomorrow for Europe Bid
me ban coy0gc, even rs do to you, on
the longer voyage you so soon propose
taking in the seas of matrimony. For
the many delightful hours you have af-
forded me, believe me gratefully yours,
AUBREY MAXWELL
Is she going mad? Has she turned
to stone? 1t is well something happens
to rouse her from herself, as George en-
tiers, pale and excited, bearing her let
ter in his hand.
81 have just read this" he says in
hoarsc tones, so changed that she can
not recognize them "What does it
mean? Tell me quickly? Is it part Of
the miserable game? Oh, is it is it?'
He stops his voice is cholied. He
can't say the dreadful truth,
Eyes, it is all the worst you think Of
it and me-" she answers, defantly;
"but You nccdn' care. have had my
humiliation and my punishment See
/ make it complete, Read this, y
holding out to him the letter she still
grasps; then leave me TO my own con-
tempt, yours, and the worlds.o
"My contcmpt?' he repeats very
slowly, "You say there is aught in
this letter could breed that for you?
Then do receive it thus and he tore
the sheet into shrcds without one
glance mt the written words,
She shiycred nj the sound
MAUD he went on, 81 don't know
what has happened don't want to
know only my arms are still open TO
you Willyou Gomez"
Oh, how grand and true and noble
he was, and how cruelty she had
wronged him.
Uln,ron 1 n,u,i foil v,u nnn tbino, =,