The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-07-20
THE DAILY BULLETIN.
TRUE CHARITY.

4 MNN uuNCOilC uAiSS
questioned Edgar Arden, accompany
;ng the petition with an eloquent glance
Of his dark brown eyes as he stood be-
fore one OF the seasons beauties.
II do not dance dining lent she re-
piled. 1T surprised me so much to
find it was a dancing party to which
Mrs. Champneys had invited u.s."
''Indeed!' the young man exclaimed
striving 10 conceal his surprise at the
unlooked-for check, and turning his
head lust in time to see EVELYN Leslie
float past him in the mazes of the
waltz.
Pretty little Evelyn! He had left her
a mere child two years ago, when lie
had started off on wandering tour,
and now had returned to find the bud
had blossomed into flower. Her child
ish promise of beauty had been more
than redeemed, and every heeting ex-
preston on the sweet young face
showed how thoroughly she enjoyed
the pleasure of the hour.
With something of sigh, and real
ling to the full his thirty old years,
Edgar Arden sank into chair by Miss
Langley's side.
Two years before, when he had
started of on an indefinite tour, he
had been impelled to it by sense of
smart Of injury. He had given his
heart to IA animated piece of marble
he bad supposed possessed of soul
She had discovered her mistake for
him Just in time, and in a moment OF
cynical bitterness he had rated all
women mt her standard, and turned his
back upon the sex. A very handsome
back it was, by-the-way, but the sex,
notwithstanding resented the action on
his part--not sufficiently, however, but
that they were ready to welcome him
back with smiles among them, and to
like him all the better for his Temporal
ny and self-imposed exile.
He had returned acknowledging his
first impulse mistake, but weary Of
the world and worldliness.
Il would find wife in the world,
but not of the world" he had said; and
this remark had drifted to Olive Lang.
ley's ears.
Therefore, spite OF the fact that her
feet kept busy time 10 the music's
swell, she held them religiously con-
cealed beneath her skirts, and styove
TO cast a disappearing glance in the
gray eyes.
II never remember hearing you give
such an excuse in bygone years, Miss
Langley" he continued with "a smile.
perhaps not" she answered; ''but
/ have learned that there are higher
pleasures than these society offers, ana
that self-denial leaves behind sweeter
flavor than self-indulge1ce. often
wonder at my old self, Mr.. Arden. |
trust you do not condemn the newP'
ION the contrary" he earnestly
answered, you quite put me to shame.
VIII you wrap me for little while
within the cloak of your abnegation,
and let me sit here with you TO talk
over old times?h
Her answer was a smile; but the
waltz ceased, and another and another
followed, and still he had not stirred.
Years before. he and Miss Langley
had been friends, hut he had looked
upon her as the most worldly of her
sex. Now. how delicately she showed
side of her character he had never
seen before! how sweet, how unseliish!
how womanly she had grown!
He almost fancied the enigma solved
which had so long perplexed him,
when he glanced up, 10 find Evelyn
Leslie's great brown eyes fixed half
recognizedly on his face.
A sudden impulse led him to her.
The child's cheek was flushed with ex-
ercise; the lovely eyes danced and
sparkled the delicate rosebud mouth
was half-parted.
: Don't you know me little Kvclynp"
be said
So he had once called his little play
mate.
as it really your she exclaimed.
glad, sweet smile of welcome irradiat-
ing the lovely face. 81 thought | could
not be mistaken; but you have ieen
here all the evening, and you've not
asked me TO dance once
ut is Lent, you remember"
"a second Daniel come TO judgment!
Have you returned only to rebuke us
for our worldlness? l am very, very
worldly, and you can find no better
subject TO begin upon"
1--WE will postpone it until after our
first waltz" he answered, with smile.
ut is 10 be neXl?'
She held up her card that he might
see. Not place was left vacant.
Edgar Arden was indignant with
himself for the sharp regret he felt a
the sight, something Of which SHOWED
itself in his face.
"Neyer mind" she said, soothir Civ
"Here is one will steal for you. Ii il
with my cousin. | can make hir. Civ,
it up--only don't forget to come ant
claim me, unless your newly-awakenet
conscience again pricks you"
And, with little. hooking laugh
she was borne of in triumph by th,
partner who had come in search o.
her.
1t was morning, though the world
was still wrapped in darkness and in
sleep, when Edgar Arden returned to
his rooms; but sleep refused TO come to
him.
Two faces fitted before his memory
--one beautiful with the beauty OF
womanhood, and one with the trans
parent grace of childhood; one weary
OF the round of fashionable life, striv-