The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-12-21
Tho great night came.


Never had the vast tent looked 80
brilliantly gorgeous Flowers, and flags,
and lamps were everywhere.
The bell sounded and the perform
ance began.
had some trllling things to do, and
In one feat Aleck was associated with
me. l got through it as quickly as pos.
sible, and kept my face averted lest ]
might meet his eve. knew his face
was as pale as death, and tho hand
which moment touched mine was cold
as ice.
After that, Beauty and Beauty was
my gentle and fleet Arabian mare-per-
formed our part, and then the bells
sounded, and the trumpets prayed, and
a long, loud, prolonged cry went up for
Mons. Mertini.
He leaped forward--tall, erect, hand.
some. He was clad in some light gauzy
tinsel over the usual tight-fitting gar
ments, spangled with stars and gleam-
ing with gilt lace.
stood stock-still and saw him 90 to
his fate. The first part Of the feat was
done, and the applause fairly shook the
canvas walls. l drew long breath.
Why should he not 60 through it all in
safety!
Then came the flying leap from the
back of the horse. ! saw the hoop
lighted, heard the cheering of the
crowd, and the fierce beat of the horses
iron hoofs on the hard track; and, wild
with terror, uttered mad cry, and
flung myself down toward him, and in
to the very track the black horse must
travel.
Aleck saw me. and it was this that
did it all. His presence of mind failed
him; he thought nothing Of himself
he saw only my danger, and shouted
to Sultan to stop in voice hoarse
with horror. The well-trained animal
fell back on his launches, his hoofs
lifted over my very head, and some one
dragged me away, with muttered i'm
precautions of my folly.
But | broke away from him, and
rushed to the spot where, buried in the
flames of tar and tow. Aleck lay mo.
tionless. The cruel flames had seized
on the tinselry of his clothing; they had
licked up his chestnut hair, and made.a
fiery track across his white forehead. |
flung myself upon him; tore off the
blazing particles of gilt and tinsel with
my bare hands; wrapped his bleeding
face in my hair, and smothered the fire
in my wild embrace.
did not care who saw me kiss his
blistered lips. What was it TO me that
the spectators were looking on through
their gold-mouted lorgne;tesP | only
knew that had killed my love!
In answer TO my passionate prayer,
he opened his eyes, They smiled at
me. His lips said the blessed words. so
low that no other ears heard them:
'Iizzie dear, | forgive YOU all. and
love you always. Mine now, and mine
-after-death.
felt his hands grow cold; my brain
whirled, and all was darkness and des-
pair.
When came again to myself | was
lying on couch by window which
looked out on snow-covered land
scape. 1t was winter. 1t had been
early autumn when l had played last.
remembered it all soon enough.
There was little need to tell me any
thing, but they insisted on going into
every little narrowing particular.
Only God knows how it all wrung my
heart.
recovered, but my beauty was gone
TOR ever. The fire had f fGG2SSasadnd times
more than my face.
For twenty-five desolate years my
only consolation has been found in lay
ing flowers on Alexis grave; for some
how it seems to me that through these
sweet and lovely things my soul speaks
to his, and is comforted.
And have a serene content in know
ing that it will not be long now before
/ shall moulder beside him, and after
death he is mine and am his.
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