The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-04-20

But here in Mrs. Stewart Alltnby's
grand matinee musicale, was the pro"
mise of q brighter future.
Margaret was quite certain that she
should succeed, Notwithstanding the de-
predatory remarks Of her mother and
the croaking Of her sister
"You haven't more voice than spar
row." said Mrs, Ashton.
"You have never cultivated what
little You have said MIS-, Charlotte;
land the idea of your standing mp to
sing among these professional vocaIists
is simply prcpostcrous!
But Margaret stood yaliantly TO her
colors, and when the cyentful night ar
rived, she stood there ON the velvet
covered platform, in her well-worn
black silk, softcncd 10y punches of pale
pink rosebuds, and drapery of misty
black lace, spray of rosebudS in her
hair, and an intent look in her soft
brown eyes.
Now don't fail" Mrs, Allenby had
whispered, as the pOriicreS OF crimson
velvet were lifted for her to pass out
upon the mimic stage,
mo- she answered, quietly, 81
shall not fall
But. for an instant as she faced the
brilliant audience. the iluttcr OF fans,
the flash of diamonds, the glitter of the
foot-lghts seemed to blind and dazzle
her; sulocating sensation arose into
her throat.
II am going to fall she thought,
and the recollection of Charlotte dis
nal propheses occurred to her her
mothers representations OF evil, her
own tormcnting doubts
She clasped the roll OF music tighter
in her hands, and set her small white
| teeth together.
Il will not failm she said to herself,
and advancing boldly into the little
arena she faced the circle Of intent eyes,
and began TO sing,
Sweet and clear, like the liquid notes
of u lark, her voice scared up, until,
forgetting her own identity in that OF
Donizctli'S Swiss heroine, she became
almost inspired; and at the close, a per-
feet shower of bouquets raincd down
upon the stage at her fect-an ovation
of voices ran up again and again in
dcafcniug applause, Bat Margaret was
conscious only of one thing-She had
not failed.
Mrs. Alcnby welcomed her iaptur-
ou>ly TO the pretty little "grecn-room.
My dear Miss A,hlou,' She cried.
"yUu are genius n second Jenny
Lind! Who was TO snnpoSe that you
had such It divine voice? ioa are the
star Of NY little concert the prima-
donna of the evening, No, don't take
your bonnet as Margaret mechani-
cally stretched out her hand for it,
You must come into the drawing
room. They are all wild to know YOU "
But ! cannot pleaded poor Mar
garet, witha downward glance at her
dress. Il Am not prepared, y
"You are perfect said Mrs, Stewart
Allcnby with winning dcspotsm. BE
sides, one of my guests says YOU are
an oll acquaintance OF his-Mr Hep
barn, who has just returned from Pal
eslinc and the Holy Land"
So Margaret was led into the midst OF
the gltlcring thong, and introduces
here and there, until, like one MOVING
in y dream, she found herself leaning
on Basil Hepburn arm.
He was but little changed after all
There was the same brusquc manner,
half Jest, half earnest that she rcmcm.
| bcrcd 80 well.
$50 YOU are a great singer he said
Il never sang in public before in al
my life
"You will be prouder and more
naughty than ever.
"l never was humber in all my ,ifc,'
"Magarct,' he uttered, softly.
"WclI, Mr. Ilepburn?'
"Mr. Hepburn! That sounds cold
Suppose you say, as you used to say
Basil,
But things are not as they used Il
be-" said poor Margaret, her heart be
ginning to beat unevenly in her breast
Can they not be so again, dear little
MargarctW he whispered, bending his
tall head to the level of the cluster Of
roScbuds in her hair. Can we not 90
back TO the initial chapter of our lives,
and begin it all over again? am Il
rich man, now, but all my money can
not buy me any treasure half so sweet
and priceless AS your love. Dearest
Margaret, tell me that you, too, have
not entirely forgotten the past"
Aud Miss Ashton went home from
Mrs, Stewart AllcnbyS motiHee mUSi-
cate an engaged young lady.
IL didn't fail, after ALL she said
radiantly. "And | had half dozen
applications TO sing again at private
concerts, and Mrs AlIcnby's money
will just buy my wedding dress
So the current of true love was run
ming smoothly again, after all