The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-05-15

for her To say; but she told herself many
times day that he was nothing TO her,
that her pride was saved from giving way
just in time; and yet in spite of all, her
days were very weary ones,
"What on earth can Phil be doingy" her
uncle asked more than once. 'IIe called
upon me to-day, and | questioned him /;
but his work did not seem to me very i'm
portant. However, he is right not to neg.
lect it,"
"And am afraid he will lay himself up
again. Mrs. Darlington said
"You need not fear that" her husband
told her. "Ile looked all right, and un-
commonly bright, thought"
This was pleasant news to Florence.
Shortly afterwards Lady Ravens letter
arrived, and once more Floronce's old pride
was stirred within her, the pleasures of
her present life were dimmed, and she
found herself craving for the position that
she thought would satisfy her better
November was passing away, Christmas
was near at hand, and she might accep,
Lady MeddoweS invitation, to punish her
cousin Philip for his GOODNESS, for triiling
with her She began to crave, or think she
craycd for her old past life and its luxu-
ries, though she could not feel the lack in
her present one; but she never asked her
self whether what she really lacked was
not the sunshine of Philips presence.
Her days were now very gloomy ones,
she thought rs she strained her eyes read
ing alone by the freight, little needing
what she read, and listening for footsteps
that did not como--brooding too not lit
tie over her aunt's letter, with all the
urgent advice 1t contained, and some
temptation too, for although she hated her
cousin Margaret, she loved the Continent.
And might not the pleasure outweigh the
drawback She was miserable enough, she
told herself, though she did not admit the
cause; but the light seemed darkcned in
her pleasant home, the long days endless
any change must he preferable.
While she sat and thought thus until her
dark eyes were full Of tears, she heard the
well-known click and impatient shaking at
the outer door, and in u moment she had
flown to her own room breathlcss and
trembling. She heard Philips voice call.
ing his sisters above and below, and their
quick pleased greeting. She herself had
not seen him for ten, long, weary days. She
was full OF indignation against him, simply
because she loved him.
She sat alone, frcttng, waiting, listen
ing brcathlcssly; but nothing happencd--
She heard laughing voices below, and
longcd TO 90 down, but pride would not let
her. There WAS no one in the world, She
thought, who really cared whether she
lived or died.
A ta.,, mil n,,tn hut Ii
tca-time, she arranged her toilet and went
down stairs. The lamps were lighted, and
looked cheerful and bright after her so-
tude in her dark room. She saw her three
cousins bending over table in the farthest
corner OF the room and examining some
thing so earnestly that they did not hear
her soft football or she thought they did
not. But she was wrong; Philip turned
suddenly to where she had placed herself
in her usual corner:
"Florencc, come and look, and help us
to decide thi, all.mportant question:" his
clear voice said.
Why, never heard you! Come and
look here, Ethel observed. "And you have
not seen Phil for more than week"
alt is surely only three days, Ethel" he
corrected, with his eyes bent mschcyous.
ly on Florence.
Then he had not even noticed her absence
and this was no small offence in her eyes.
He held out his hand towards her, and She
only intended to touch it; but he drew her
firmly towards the table in spite of her de.
termination.
clock here, Florence; and decide this
all.important subject. 1 have had my pho
tOgraph taken for my mothers birthday
She really wished to have one" he said,
laughing; "and we cannot decide which is
the best Of these"
Thus appealed to, Miss Worthington
glanced down, but rather disdaInfully, and
saw the eye, so full Of light and sweetness,
the firm yet tender mouth, the broad mas
'iye brow, depicted before her on the Ia.
bic.
'Only say which you think is the least
Objectionable" Philip begged.
"Don't be so foolish, Phil! Let Flor.
ence look properly. | like this one the
best" Maud said handing it to her.
Florence Immediately preferred the 9th. |
er, so the subject still remained an open |
one,
"Look, Florence, here is something pleas.
anter," Philip said, taking up large bou.
luet Of splendid roses. "Hcre is a peace.
offering which you must accept-nay, |
will ask you very humbly," he added in
lower voice, seeing her hesitation; and |
then their eyes met for the first time since |
their evening walk.
She was delighted with the flowers, |
which seemed like old friends of happier |
times, and the girls were in ccstacics with |
them.
"Philip would not let us even look at
them until YOU came down, Florence" |
Ethel said. "lle thought we might withcr }
them with our jealous eyes"
81 see that you have forgiven me by |
this time" Mr.. Darlington remarked.
81 have nothing to forgive Florence
codly.
"Thcn still less to remember unpleasant.
~" her cousin told her. 81 am content,
Florence. or shall try TO be. But YOU like
the roses, do you not"
lie little guessed how much. And Miss
last decision about the south
)f France was again shaken.
Had a thundcrbolt fallen in the midst Of
The little homc-crclc at Fulham, 1t would
have caused scarcely more disnay than did
4 letter which arrived Il few days later for
Mrs. Darlington from the Countess Raven
"A letter proiusc almost to fulsomcncSS in
IL expressions of gratitude, but ncvcrthe.
less very firm in its intention. Forcncc's