The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-21
MY MARRIAGE.
\ nYTuE AUTHOR OF PENELOPE" ETc.

pleasant voice; and heard old Mrs. Blake
saying that ,he Carstairs Of this generation
differ no whit from the Carstairs Of the old
TINE. Tney were always famous for the
beauty Of their wives. An ugly Mrs. Car.
stairs was thing never heard Of; and
laughing gaily---"my own impression is
that old Tony Carstairs, as he was called,
never married on account Of the utter
hideousness Of the ladies about here. He
could get no one to come up to his IDEAL
$50 the Carstairs' have always married
for beauty--and Humphrey Is IN no wise
different from the rest Of his race. If my
smile Is hard and forced, hope Miss Del
acourt does not observe IL. She Is rafting
on, and Humphrey is the topic now.
.sOh, Mrs. Carstairs, | am sure there
were bitter heart-burnings and woe among
desolate maidens when news came that the
new master of Carstairs had got him
wife not out OF his own county! For at
lest fifty young and eligible girls had seen
and marked him for their own. He dined
with us once, remember, and | was an
object OF envy for weeks. II was horribly
unfair of him; for there are no men here.
The great man OF the place. Sir Jasper
Vane, never lives at home If he can help
it; the curate went down long ago, meek
and suffering prey. Chris, they all know,
is not marrying man."
"Who is Christ" ask, amused at her
account of the neighborhood.
"My brother. lie has held out for many
years, and the finger Of scorn is pointed at
him now. think he is looked upon as a
hopeless investment for young affections;
and as for Give, my other brother, soldier
like, he loves and he rides away"
"Georgie, dear, what nonsense are you
talkingr' interposes Mrs. Dclacourt.
ait is no nonsense, mamma--only plain
unyarnished truths; and | really think IL
is mercy for Mr.. Carstairs' own sake
that he married before he came amongst
us. His life would have been a burden to
him!"
And then it appears that ought to make
some excuse for Humphreys non-appear-
ance. turn to Mrs. Delacourt.
"My husband will be sorry not to have
seen you; but he Is painting and hardly
presentable."
know that Humphrey would not like
TO be disturbed but make feeble offer
w stuu lUT niIo. DcldCOuIt Will uOl
hear of ii however, and am very glad.
~ am so pleased you will be here for
our ball" Miss Delacourt says presently
during pause In the conversation. at
Is my ball, you know, in honor Of my COM
ing of age, and 1t is to be q great affair."
We are importing no end Of military
Nothing like officers at a dance Don't
you think soy"
81 don't know; l have never been at
ball" say; and George Delacourt opens
her eyes wide and stares at me in amaze
ment.
"Never been at ball! Oh, Mrs. Car
stairs, wish were you"
"Why?"-laughing and looking at her,
say.
"Because IL will be so new and delight
full to you. Now am sick and tired of ev-
erything, and, like Solomon, have come to
the conclusion that 'there is nothing new
under the sum-"
look at her fresh handsome young face
and smile little sadly.
81 do not think variety makes happi-
ness l say, and then feel sorry; but Mrs.
Delac0urt takes up my words differently.
N iiC 4uitV my uVuh hupDi-
ness is to be found only In peoples own
homes"
And then they get up to 80.
al hope / shall soon see you again."
saT, as George Delacourt gives my hand
firm strong pressure--a clasp more like a
mans than girls.
She smiles brightly.
1--WE are neighbors; 80 hope we shall be
great friends, you and l."
Old Mrs. Delacourt takes both my hands
in hers.
81 have taken great fancy to you, my
dear, and | am very glad to have met
you"
When they have gone, Humphrey comes
down stairs
"Had you visitorss l thought heard
carriage-wheels."
$50 you did; Mrs. Delacourt called,
and Miss Delacourt. like them very
much"
His face brightens, as it always does
when am pleased with anything or any
body.
81 am so glad you like the Delacourts;
they were very civil TO me when came to
Carstairs by myself. Any tea left for me,
MadgieP'
"This is cold. Twill ring for some fresh
TO be made"
"No, / like 1t cold" he says, seating
himself In the armchair, and looking over
with his gray eyes, which grow dark with
pain so often at careless wounding words
Of mine.
have not said one cross or unkind thing
oil day, and 1T is pleasant harmonious peace
between us still. bring him his tea, and
sit dutifully OH stool at his feet, and give
him u ludicrous account Of the Delacourtl
visit. and OF how was discovered diyins
under the lounge after the kitten.
"Are you shockedW throwing back m,
head and looking up at him with mirthfu
eyes.
"Not bit. Oh, Madgic, this is the frs
real merriment have seen In your eye
since we came 10 Carstairs ~
"Because there Is going to be . BALL"
say, jumping up and eluding the kiss ! SCI
coming.
81 thought we were going to live so qui
city, and cschew balls and all gayeties"--
Humphrey says, a smile lurking at the cor.
ners Of his mouth.
"But have never been at ball. was
only once at a dance, and II was very
small thing. I wish some of the others
were going to be at II tool mean Lena
and Bee. 81 hope there will be another
ball when they are with us, Humphrey"
"liaye as many balls as you like, child,
only don't ask me to Dance" he says, and
goes back TO his studio--to wash his brush