The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-05-01

the drawng-room.
I'll do not see much to find fault with
here, Florence" was Lady Ravens gra-
cious whisper, while her quick eyes noted
the contents Of the pretty room-the vases
laden with fresh flowers, the turquoise
damask furniture, the spotless lace cur
tans; there might be no splendor, but in
finite taste and refinement were displayed
in all the appointments. "They are evil
IDENTIFY MUSICAL her ladyship said, MOTTO
ing the handsome grand piano, which was
open, and had been evidently lately used.
Even Miss Worthington began to breathe
a little more freely; she had been haunted
by the impression that her new home might
be over shop, and that it must rcek with
the vile odors of II chemists establishment.
On the contrary, the air seemed laden
with the scent of flowers; the place too
was far from her own world; she might
live here unknown, and at all events suffer
undisturbed all the miserics OF her humli-
alton.
Lady Raven WAS graciouSncsS itself, and
was even profuse in her expressions Of
gratitude to the Carringtons and her admi-
ration of the girls Florence could only
listen wondcringly, trying, with little sue
cess, to believe there was an atom Of truth
in all her aunt said.
II is so kind OF YOU, Mrs, Darlington, to
take care of the naughty child in my alb
sence. You have relieved me Of my great
est difficulty, and cannot express my in
dcbtcdness to YOU" the Countess Of Raven
declared. "YOu see | could not possibly
take her with me to my sick friend at Scar
borough; and my London house is let,
and in the autumn pay my long-prom-
iscd visit to my married daughter at
Nice"
Mrs. Darlington politely expressed her
pleasure at having her niece with her, and
a hope that her visit might be prolonged
indefinitely.
"You must bring some roses back to her
cheeks" said her ladyship. Sand you
must write often to me, Florcnce-con-
stantv." she added turning to her niece.
"And on my return Mrs. Darlington, |
shall hope to see great deal of you and Of
your dear girls. No doubt by that time
Florence an(th cousins will be inscpara-
rablc You have son too;" her ladyShip
Intercepted hcsitatngly.
The existence of this son had at times
given her few quams of uncasncss.-
What If he should he prcscntablc and at
tractye in some way, and, from living al
ways in the house with him, Florence
should fall into the error common TO all
girls, and fancy herself in love with him,
or, any rate get into some kind of cntan-
clement? There was not much chance of
this; but still there was the bare poN>ibili-
ty, against which she had thought IL better
not to warn Florence, for fear Of putting
it into her head. But, after all, Mrs. Car
rington relieved her mind entirely on this
point,
"IIe is not my own son, Lady Raven,
though believe he is dcarer to me than
any son Of my own could be-" Mrs. Car
rington said with sudden feeling as she
thought Of him. ole is my husbands on
ly son by his first wife; but | have had the
care Of him since he was eight years old,
and he is just the same to me rs one of my
own girls. lie does not always live with
us; he has rooms close to his business, and
comes home when he Is able"
A thrill of dread passed through Miss
Worthington's mind as she thought Of this
than girl-who was probably baker,
butcher, or candlcstick- maker-she little
knew or cared; all she did know was that
he was tradesman--probably with large,
dirty hands, coarse loud voice, and vulgar
ideas. lie would be the last drop in her
cup of humiliation and disgust in her new
home she thought. But Lady Raven took
in good part.
slow very nice 1t must be for you, Mrs.
Darlington You see both Of my chill
drcn are away from me, aud | am nearly
always alone. Florence will have to
make up for them when | return. |
should liked to have seen your husband"
her ladyship shamclessly declared, "Pray
give my kndcst compliments to him.
Florence, dear, must say goodbye to YOU
now. Good-byes are always so painful"
and her ladyship made II show, real or
feigned, of some feeling, with which Flor
encc did not seem to sympathize.
Miss Worthington suffered her aunts
lips to touch her cheek, and listened with
complete apathy to her adicuX. In few
moments more she was alone with her aunt
and cousins-simple, warm-heartcd people,
quite prepared to receive her AS one Of
themselves, to show her all their care and
love, rs well as not little admiration for
her beauty, and with due regard for what
they were pleased to think her high posi-
ton and her condcscension in coming to
them.
"My dear" said Mrs. Darlington, "you
look tired and tagged to death. Go to
your rooms with the girls. and let them
help YOU take OIL your thingS-do not Scrll-
pie to ask for anything you would like or
would wish to have done--and then come
down stairs to our sitting room."
Florence followed her cousins up stairs
TO two pretty rooms which had been set
apart for her use; and her heart would
have been n harder one than it was
had she not soitcncd little to the two
pretty refined girls NO unaffected and eager
to give her help or comfort, both as yet
little shy with her, but evidently trying
their best to make her comfortable.
Florence could not help expressing her
admiration as she entered the rooms pre-
pared for her; she even said q little gra-
ciously-
alt is so kind Of you TO have me-"
eve think II more kind of you to come
to us--it viii give us oil so much pleasure"
Maud, the eldest rcjoincd kindly. "And
YOU will Of course feel u little shy with us
at hrst-strangcrs as we arc---but you must
try TO get over II as soon rs you can, and
make yourself one of ourselves"
Shyncss was about the last discomfort
Miss Worthington suffered from, but her
GOODNESS and reserve might easily be taken
for IL.