The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-06-18
CHAPTER VIII.

| In due course the wonderful gown ar
rlyes, and is made welcome at the farm,
| where Godfrey too puts in an appear
ance about two hours later.
| Mona is down at the gate waiting for
him. evidently brimful of information.
| wei, you have got it?' asks he, in a
whisper,
Eyes, | have got it," also in a sub
dued whisper. "And, oh, Geoffrey, it
is Just too lovely! It's downright de-
liciouS; and satin, tool 1t must, re
proachfully-"haye cost great deal,
and after all you told me about being
poOr But, y with a sudden change of
tone, forgetting reproach, and extrava-
gance and everything, sit is exactly the
color love best, and what | have been
dreaming of for yedrS."
Put it on You" says Godfrey.
What nmr'" with some hesitation,
yet plainly filed with an overwhelming
desire to show herself to him without
loss of time in the adorable gown. "If
| should be seen! Well, never mind,
I'll risk it. Go down to the little green
glade in the wood, and III be with you
before you can say Jack Robinson.
She disappears, and Godfrey, obedi-
ent to orders, lounges off to the green
glade, that now no longer owns rich
coloring, but is strewn with leaves from
the gaunt trees that stand in solemn
order like grave sentries round it.
lie might have invoked Jack Robin
son a score of times had he so wished,
he might even have gone for a very re-
spectacle walk, before his eyes are
again gladdened by a sight of Mona.
Minutes have given place to minutes
many times, when, at length, figure
wrapped in long cloak and with a
light wooden shawl covering her head,
comes quickly towards him across the
| rustic bridge, and under the leaheSs
| trees TO where he is standing.
| CHANGING round feariully for a mo-
ment, as though DESTROYS of making
| sure that no strange eyes are watching
| her movements, she let's the loose cloak
fall TO the ground, and, taking with
| careful haste the covering from her
head, slips like Cinderella from her or
binary garments into all the glories of
tete gown. She steps a little to one
side, and, throwing up her head with a
faint touch of coquetry that sits very
| Sweetly on her, glanCCS triumphantly at
Godfrey, as though fully conscious that
| she is looking as exquisite as dream.
The dress IS composed of satin of that
peculiar pale blue that in some side
lights appears as white. 1t is open at
the neck, and has no sleeves to speak of.
AS though some kindly fairy had in
deed been at her beck and call, and had
watched with careful eyes the cutting
OF The robe, it fits TO a charm. Upon
her mead little mOb-cap, avery marvel
of blue satin and old lace, rests loving
| ly, making still softer the soft tender
| face beneath il.
There is sparkle in Mona's eyes, q
slight severlng of her lips, that bespeak
satisfaction and betray her very full of
innocent appreciation of her own beau
~. She stands well back, with her
head held proudly up, and with her
hands lightly clasped before her. Her
attitude is full of unstudled grace.
GeOilicy is quite dumb, and stands
gazing ut her, surprised at the amazing
change stuff, q color, can make in so
short time. Beautiful she always is
in his sight, but he wonders that until
now 1t never occurred to him what "A
sensation she Is likely to create in the
London world. When ut last he does
give way to speech, driven to break his
| curious silence by something i'm her
face, he says nothing of the gown, but
only this;
"Oh, Mona, will you always love me
as YOU do now"
His tone is full of sadness and long
ing and something akin to fear. AS he
ga2es on and wonders at her marvellous
beauty, for an instant IA most unworthy
instant) he diStrusts her. Yet surely
never was more groundess doubt slS.
tanned, rs one might know to look upon
her eyes and mouth, for in the one lies
honest love, and In The other 0rmncss
Her face changes. lie has made no
mention of the treasured gown, has
said no little word of praise. w
81 have disappointed YOU" she says,
TREMENDOUSLY; Tears rising quickly, ~
am failurel am not like the Others
"You are the most beautiful woman |