The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-12-16
CHOOSING A DAUGHTER IN LAW.
BY RUTH RANSOM.

AoohOu III uishinyxAp hiS ihophOi'
dearest mother" said he, "what is
the trouble with Madelinep am sure
she is all that is sweet and lovabler
Felix Eastwood had committed a
fault that is not uncommon to man.
He was trying to make his mother see
through the medium of his own eyes.
He had fallen desperately in love with
young beauty, proposed to her in the
fever-heat Of the moment and brought
her home TO Eastwood Hall to receive
the maternal blessing. And Madeline
Westford. as theoretical and inexperi-
enced as was he himself, had never
doubted but that Felix's mother would
love her as tenderly and devotedly as
Felix had done.
She was pretty, blue-eyed girl, with
deep dimple in her cheek. lips as red
as coral, and profuseness Of FURNISHED
golden hair, which foated over her
shoulders like a cascade Of yellow
brightness.
''May / call you motherP" said Mad
cline, prettily, when she first came to
Eastwood Hall.
Certainly" said Mrs. Eastwood,
stiffly. "But don't you think your hair
would be neater put up in netP'
"All the girls at school wore it So"
said Madeline, who was just graduated
from Madame Estele's seminary for
young ladies. "And nobody sees a net
nowadays"
''Those long, trailing dresses, too"
said Mrs. Eastwood, critically eying
the fan-shaped train of Madeline's
cream-colored serge dress. "In the
country here we mostly wear our skirts
of walking length"
Madeline looked doubtfully down at
the lovely dress, with its hounces and
Fittings.
II have always worn trains" she
said; "and doesn't itseem almost pity
to cut them Off"
"Just as you please" said Mrs. Dash
wood, chilling visibly.
Madeline did not enjoy her visit to
Eastwood Hall half so much rs she had
expected; and Mrs. Eastwood inwardIy
determined that of all daughters. in
law whom Felix could possibly have Sc
lected Miss Westford was the least sat
isfactory. But it never occurred to her
that she did not quite fathom all tho
depths of Madeline's character; nor
that she was looking for woman's
matured virtues in girl of seventeen,
just out of boarding school.
81 don't approve" said she stifly,
'of girls who lie on sofas and read po-
etry all day, instead of trying to learn
little housekeeping; and as for needle
work, all the Kensington stitch and
crewel patterns in creation won't take
the place-in my estimation, at least
Of good plain stitching and stocking
darning. Madeline Wesford and l can
never, never become congenialr'
"Bu', mother"
To Felix Dashwood's infinite amaze.
ment, however, the conversation was
here interrupted by Madeline herself in
the offending cream serge dress, with
the lovely, cloudy tresses of gold franz
ing her flushed face, and new glitter
in her blue eyes.
81 didn't mean to be listener" said
she, "but was half asleep in the shady
drawing-room, and when ! heard my
own name | couldn't help sitting still
for moment; and perhaps it is just as
well. II have feared this for long
time. | am quite certain OF II now.
You don't like me, Mrs. Dashwoodp'
"ro be frank" said the frigid mat
ron, II do aotW
81 am sorry" said Madeline, softly.
81 should have liked you to love me.
And YOU do not wish me TO marry Fe-
lixp"
"1f you wish me to answer sincere
ly," said Mrs. Dashwood--"no."
"Then | won't marry him." said
Madeline, pulling of the little turquoise
ring which Felix had given her for an
engagement ring in those bright, sweet
days which seemed so long -ah, so long
ago! al will marry no man whose
mother is not ready to take me into her
heart OF hearts!h
So the engagement was broken of,
and Madeline went home again.
"Dont fret, Felix" coaxed she.
cts deal better for you, II you can
get used to tho idea. II ever | have u
mother-in-law, | mean that she shall
love mech, so dearly I"
To Mrs. Dashwood's surprise. Felix
took this overthrow Of his hearts dear
est hop very coolly.
al had hoped that you would learn to
love Madeline" no said. "lndced, l
do not know how any one could help IL.
But you can't--why, there's an end Of
the mattcrn
Within few days Mrs. Eastwood re-
oeiycd letter from Cousin Thespia, o
young lady from the West Cousin
Thespia was coming TO Eastwood Hall,
TO get acquainted with her unknown
relations The old lady's heart leaped
up within her
perhaps Felix will take fancy TO
Thesplo," said she to herself.
And she made haste to refurnish tho
little blue boudoir, ill the tiny conserv-
atory with fresh llowers--for tho chill
November days were beginning TO
gloam across tho horizon now and lay
out programme of amusement for the
promised guest
Cousin Tnespla came, u blaclS-eyed
girl nearly six feet high, who laughed
like n peal Of bells, talked all tho slang
u The modern YOUNG lady. and declared