The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-10-16
CHAPTER xxx.


haunted look, and our whole attention is
absorbed by the preparations for Q great
garden-party that we are to give next
week, which Is TO be the fete Of the season,
winding up with dance in the evening.
For the present all unpleasantness Is
forgotten or drowned IN the excitement
Of the moment. | mean my garden-party
to be tremendous success, thing to be
talked OF In the neighborhood, and Hum
phrey enters warmly into all my plans,
and seconds even the most extrayagant
suggestions.
"Won't 1t cost a great deal?" say once
with little gasp Of conjunction, rs we
discuss the preparations--m marques are to
be erected, and Carstairs is to be turned
into yeritable tairy-land.
"Neyer mind that" says Humphrey
"Don't you remember our old quarrel
about the expense OF things, Madgie?"
ado you ever forget anything Hum
phreyi" | ask, with rather u sad little
smile as think Of his passionate love for
me in those old days--the love that Is
thing of the past now.
His voice quiyers as he answers
81 remember every incident connected
with you, and the words you have used"
"Many words that | have said would be
better forgotten"
My voice is tremuous too, for even the
frank outspokennesS Of those days would
be better than the cloud that mas come be-
tween us now.
lie lays his hand on mine for second,
and then draws it away with long sigh,
looking straight into my face.
"rhe lovely Mrs. Carstairs-that is what
you are called, Madgie, Does 1t make you
the happier, dear, to be called the beauty
of the countyW
He speaks sadly, and answer with
bitter truthfulness-
"No, | am as Heaven has made me
And yet | think should have been hap
pier if had been palmer; for the same
people who praise my looks say the Car
stairs married for boauty"-raising my
fearless eyes to his.
"Not all the Carstairs," he returns qui-
city.
For a moment the words satisfy the
longing in my heart, for he loved me once.
He puts his hand beneath my chin, raises
my face towards his, and looks long and
searchingly into my eyes.
$50 beautiful, and my wlfeW he MUIR
murs. "WOuId TO Heaven | could read
the truth in those eyesW
"Madgle, MadgieW
For once | am sorry to hear Bees clear
voice. My husband and | seemed to come
so near to each other in those last few mo-
ments, heart TO heart in the still hour Of
twilight; and now the thoughts that trem-
bed in words on my lips go rushing back
and remain unspokcn.
Humphrey gets up and gives his place
to Bee, lights cigar, and saunterS down
the path.
"Let US talk about the party" says Bee.
"Madgie, how good 1t is of Humphrey 10
tell you to send for dresses for Lena and
mel | do think he is the best and kindest
hearted man in the world"
eyes," answer, and can find no warm
err words Of praise for my husband.
Bee looks at Inc with o sort of solemn
expression on her face.
"Madge, you are greatly changed You
are not one bit like what you used to be-"
"Not Bit" | assent YEARLY. al think
AIN different being. But"-with = lit
tie laugh-"this Is not talking OF the par
ty, Bee"
Bee laughs, and takes the hint.
"Captain Delaeourt told me, Madgle,
that every one was raying about your iete.
And do you know what he said the people
would come ior:"
"Io amuse themselves, suppose"
"No--to look at you. Why, Madgie, at
home we never thought so much Of your
looks OF course you were always tho
pretty one Of the family But dress
makes great difference. Don't you think
so"
"All the difference in the world" / re-
ply, thinking Of the sun-burnt happy Mad
gle of long ago, and Of the Madge Of the
present time, the beauty Of the county
and Humphrey Carstairs' WIFE
Out Of the twilight shadow beyond comes
Lena,
"Where is FeiciaW
Bee puts the question; and my passion.
ate woman's heart aches sorely at the an
swer.
"Wlth Humphrey. | thought WAS hot
wanted when they began to talk Of pic
lures and painting, and 80 | came away"
Silent sit, without word or sign, with
passionate tide of feeling rising and
swelling, and thoughts In my heart that IL
were better were not there; for, when,
five minutes later Chris Delacourt and
his brother appear with the excuse Of &
note from Mrs, DelaCourt, there Is bitter
feeling Of resentment against my husband,
desire to try to make his heart ache as
mtnos aching, to try TO show him that /
| do not care.
A few caroloSsly.spoken words, an an.
swerlng laugh to mans low-spoken tones,
and then, because / know 1t will yex
| Humphrey to see me with Captain Della.
court, accept his offer, aud walk away
through the dewy stOr.lit garden alone
with him, leaving Bee and Lena with
Chris
What | say DO not know--a string Of
mad nonsense fast and reckless, with never
thought Of the better hopes that had
come not an hour ago, when my husbands
eyes were looking into mine ~,
"Eyery ono Is talking Of your fete,"
Captain Delacourt says.
Sand people will have plenty to talk
about when II Is over" l answer, little
thinking or dreaming Of the topic they
will have for conversation.
"Beauty and the Beasts garden.party,"
he goes on, with u laugh, coming step
nearer IN the darkness.
The air is heavy and fragrant with the
scent OF many flowers. soft and balmy