The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-09-04

drab brocade exposed for every day use.
On the day of our departure the china
and ornaments disappear into some myste.
rlous cupboardS, and the long dim draw
ing-room has a dismantled appearance
We are not TO start till the afternoon. and
tomorrow we shall be on the salt sea. our
faces set towards the New World. In
spite Of myself, and Notwithstanding nv
disappointment, am filled with a not I'm.
peasurable excitement at the prospect of
sea-voyage, and all the new sights that
lie before us.
The morning Is raw and cold, and the
air outside Is heavy. Drops hang from ey-
cry bare black branch and tiny twig, and
the world has soddened look that would
be depressing If | had time TO think about
it. The postman is coming up the avenue.
/ expect letter from home, aud 20 out
into the hall myself to take the pile of let
tiers and papers from Bernard. Tossing
them all down by Humphrey, | seize an
envelope bearing mammals handwriting,
and, tearing II open, see o few scrawled
lines, evidently written In great hurry;
and | read, with wild beating ut my
heart, that Bce--my darling Bees ILL
scarlatina, the doctors say.
"Madgie, what has happenedW Hum
phrey asks. And look up and feel my.
self growing white TO the lips.
"Bee is i'll. | must 60 TO her." say
slowly and with difficulty. And, without
speaking, Humphrey takes the letter from
my hand and reads it through.
"Scarlatina Have you had 1t, Mad.
gicy"
II? No; think not" And then get
up. "llow soon can j 60 to her, Hum
y"-looking up to him with sort Of
dumb appeal, for something tells me IL
go to Bee it will be against my husbands
wish. And ! set my lips together firmly
when his low-breathed steady words come
"Madgie, Bees illness is Infectious; you
cannot go to her."
81 must! Don't try to stop me, Hum
phrey."
lie pauses to prepare himself for the
conflict Of will against will; but he is very
calm and quiet yet
"My darling, if it was anything in rea-
son, you know would yield to your wishes,
but cannot allow you to put your life in
danger"
But am deaf TO reason. Bee, bright
merry Bee, is i'll. The life Of the one be.
ing dearer to me than all else in this world
is in danger, and 60 to her / must and
will.
"IHumphrey," | say desperately, with a
choking voice, "you cannot keep me from
Bee. must 80 to-day; we are only losing
time. If you love me you will not say
anything more.'
'If | love you?"-and his voice is as I'M
steady as my own. alt is because | love
you so much that cannot let you CO.
Listen, child, Bee has her sisters aud her
mother with her. She may have taken this
illness very lightly; and when we come
home she will, please Heaven, be well and
strong again"
"You don't mean to take me TO New
York;" | cry, and then burst into bitter
weeping. "Ilumphrey, Humphrey, can
not go Bee may dic-and | must, oh,
must go to herw
sit and sob, and my husband walks up
and down; and presently feel his hand
on my shoulder.
"Darling, you know that | feel for
you"
raise my face and say in whisper
"Then you will allow me to 60 to-day!
No one could nurse her as | could. She
loves me more than them all"
thought when married should never
find any difficulty in obeying my husband.
To-day it seems as if this is the hardest OF
OF all my VOWS TO keep.
"No good could come of you going"
Humphrey says gloomily. at would only
trouble Bee and make her anxious for your
sake. Don't look, dear, as If / were un-
kind in saying this, or harsh, when tell
you that absolutely forbid you going to
your sister"
"Shall disobey himl Shall rise to my
feet and say will go my own wayy Fora
moment my heart rises in hot rebellion,
and then something in the grave tender
face looking at me in pity, not anger,
brings me all at once TO my better self
"WhaL do you wish me to do, Hum.
phreyy" say very sorrowfully. "Tell me
what you think best"
He looks very sad when he speaks-not
at once, but as il he were weighing his
words.
.sMadge, am not selfish enough to ask
you TO accompany ME, when know that
in your heart you would rather be at home;
bnt, if ! allow you to stay here, Will you
promise not to 20 to Beer Will you give
me your word now"
look into his face as speak.
~ could not promise that, Humphrey"
"Then, my child, must take you with
me to New York. Very quietly and pa
tiently he gives his decision, and | listen
with sense of desperation. "Madgie,
leave it with yourself to decide"
81 will stay here" answer, with the
feeling that, Of the two evils, il is better
to choose the least.
"And you will promise not to run away
home to Bee!" he urges gently still but
| can see how anxiously he waits for my
| answer.
'If Bee is dying" say, with quivering
| lips, 81 must 90 TO her. No promise could
| keep me from her then"
"Bee is young and strong. Why should
she dieI Madgic, give me your word that,
unless the worst comes, you will stay
| here"
81 promise" the words re-
luctantly.
Snow shall be better satisfied. when
am far away, TO know that you are safe at
home,' Then myhusband says with a wist-
ul tenderness. "Madgie, you will write
to ME every mail"
eyes" | answer, thinking little of his
loneliness, but my mind dwelling upon
Bee, out of sight and SCUM OF my face and
| yoirn ill., diving nerhaps and NV word