The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-10-23
b CHAPTER xxx.

III IL lHc HlulHlHB vi III. iNtNJ ohu tHN u'y
could not have been lovelier There is
dim golden haze which gives promise Of n
warm summer day.
"Oh, Madgie, how glorious |" Bee cries
rapturously. "And how quietly you take
everythingW
~ wish it was over" / say YEARLY.
Itismy birthday too, and my plate at
breakfast Is piled with little presents and
offerings from home, Tears start to my
eyes as think Of by-gone birthdays, from
the days when | was crowned with
wreath of roses out of the sweet tangled
garden at home to my birthday now, which
sees me standing, fair, two-md-twenty, at
the head Of my table, gazing with fearful
eyes at a needle-boOk manufactured by Is
abePs little fingers, and lace collar and
cuffs that must have cost Helen many an
hours work. How dear these home-re.
membranes seem now, the loving letters,
the wishes that are wishes indeed
Everybody has given me present, even
Felicia--a picture Of her own painting;
and all It's merit is, she says, due to Hum.
phrey's teaching. He alone has forgotten
my birthday; he has not even wished me
many happy returns of the day. Bees
present open last--a square brown par
Gel, carefully sealed, and "With Bees
love" written outside. 1t is a book. l
turn to the title-page, look over few Of
the leaves, and, with a start raise my
eyes to see Bees bright face radiant with
excitement watching me.
"You wrote this, Beef"
eyes, and, oh, Madgie, 1t is my first book,
and Humphrey had 1t published fer me to
give to you on your birthdayW
l look swiftly in my husbands direction;
but only the top of his head is visible over
the newspaper; and with beating heart
bend over Bees book again.
"Do you like itp she asks breathlessly.
dyes, Bee, would rather have this than
anything else you could give me-"
"Bee's book--her own thoughts in these
printed pages! 1t was kind Of Humphrey
to think Of IL !; and yet, though look long
ingly towards him, his eyes are never once
lifted from the paper. 1t rustles little
in his hand, he folds it up deliberately
and yet our eyes do not meet.
By-and-by, US / stand In the drawing
room, which is carpetless and waXed for
the dance tonight, Humphrey comes in
and shutting the door behind him, walks
up TO me As stand at the other end Of the
long room. Grayely look at him, grayely
he looks at me. He smiles at last and holds
out his hand.
"Did you think l had forgotten your
birthday, Madge"
"I do not see any reason why you should
remember it," | say codly, not appearing
10 see his proitered hand, and drawing
back step from where he stands tower
Ing above me.
"Madgie, my wife '--and he clasps Inc
tightly to him--"my child, my little love,
is there TO be nothing but cold looks be-
tween US nowi Darling, wish you many,
many happy returns OF the day. From
my whole heart | say tHeaycn bless my
wifevn
But l shiyer in the clasp Of his arms,
and shrink from the touch Of his lips; AVID
he lets me go suddenly,
81 have birthday present for You, Mad.
ge," he says-and the passion has died
out Of his voice.
He clasps his gift on my arm, and with u
full heart gaze upon 1t in silence, The
costly bracelet gives me no pleasure. IL
is a broad gold band with diamond clasp.
For second my hand lies coldly in his,
and then mist OF pain comes to my eyes,
and turn away with burst Of wild pas
sionate weeping.
"Poor childW Humphrey says sorrow
fully. "Heaven help lis both, Madge!
see the wrong Of our marriage now; but
thought II might have ended diherently,'
With quick passionate gesture | raise my
fearful eyes aud hot flushed face.
at might have been right by this If 9th.
ers had not come between us"
awe are strangely situated, wife," he
says signing deeply, al would you had
loved me more"
"0r not at ALP cry. "Humphrey,
should have been happier then" On my
wrist the diamonds nash--his birthday
present al have not thanked you yct,n
whisper presently touching the bracelet
and raising shy wet eyes TO his sorrowful.
ly. "And, Humphrey, II was kind Of you
TO have Bees book printed; aud am not
ungrateful for all that IL good and kind
only"
And then the plteous reproach In his
eyes ends tho iultenpg words.
"Grateiul, good, kindw he repeats slow.
ly. "Child you will drive Inc mad You
make me wish that was dead, or that We
had never met"
DO ! echo the last wish In truthy
know not. lie bends his face suddenly to
mine.
"You have not thanked INC yetro no
whispers; and with u sigh grant him
cold reluctant kiss.
know not the pain caused by the fleet
ing touch OF my quiyering lips,
There is no lack Of guests to-day at my
fete. Standing At my husbands side, 1
feel little weary Of saying polite I'M.
meaning things and smiling welcomes TO
half the county. But at last every one
hus come, the band is playing, and the
people are, suppose, enjoying themselves,
according TO the scant measure of umuso-
ment that may be obtained ~ q garden.