The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-08-09

sit with folded hands waiting for his
coming
She was in her own room when she
heard Mariorie's glad cry of welcome,
and knew that her soldier lover had ar
rived. She did not 60 downstairs that
night, pleading a headache-which in.
deed was truth, poor child!--for she had
shed her last tears over the grave of her
dead hopes. until her eyes were swollen
and her temples throbbed alike with
grief and pain.
They still were too painful to permit
her next day to rise for breakfast, and
Marjorie, full of sympathy, brought
with her own hands the tray with the
cup of tea and delcately-cut toast upon
it, making her swallow both All the
morning she lay quiet
Late in the afternoon she rose, and
stealing down into the MUSHROOM, idly
touched the keys, letting her voice break
into a plaintive little air, when sudden
ly shadow darkened the threshold. A
voice murmured her name. II was the
voice which once had been to her ears
sweeter than the sweetest music. She
sat still and composed; but her hands
were trembling, and the shadow hid the
ashen pallor of her face.
MARIE he said, and with one stride
was beside her. How came youhere?'
The question restored her courage.
lyon did not know | was herc?' she
a, - DnI Ia 4
have not betrayed you"
Betrayed me! OF what are you talk
ingP For four months have not heard
from you single line"
81 wrote You when l was ordered on
special service. At any other time |
should have received it as q high mark
of favor, but tried my best TO Shirk it,
since it meant leaving You, ] told you
where to address me; begged YOU TO
write me by every mail. Not letter
reached me, and when, on my return, ]
went to your aunt's house, found it
inhabited by strangers, who could tell
me nothing, Yet come here by mer-
est accident to find you"
by merest accident" answered the
girl, Perhaps Marjorie would object
to your terms, You need not hesitate
to speak plainly, Captain Ellis, though
| must congratulate you on having re-
ceived step since we met, When we
parted, it was Lieutenant Ellis. We
may exchange condolences. since |, too,
have learned the lesson of forgetfulness
and am betrOthed"
Dim as the light was, she saw his face
pale. He staggered back, while behind
them both stood a man, as if rooted 10
the tloor-a listener unseen, unknown
TO them both.
you hetrothed2' he groaned. "Ah,
Marie, through all these weary months
my faith in YOU has never faltered |
have said to my heart, She may be
dead, but she is true to me as have
been to her. But-can it be possible?
Marie, my cousin, Captain Ellis, is en-
gagged to Marjorie Hare Can it be that
you have COMPOUNDED him with me?n
Your cousin! Captain Ellisw she
repeated, slowly. But she called him
Thornton?'
"Yes, it was foolish idea to give US
names alike but, you see, we had
rich old uncle by that name, and both
our mothers were determined We should
stand equally in his favor. It's got
poor Thornton into lots Of trouble, since
he had to shoulder all my boyish
scrapes. But he got the old mans
money, after all, so he can't complain;
and he's been like brother to me. But,
little girl, tell me you didn't mean what
you said Just now"
Tightly she pressed her hand against
her heart
IL meant it all" she murmured.
"Oh, Thornton, if you have ever loved
me, 60 away and leave me! Il am
going on the stage first for year, and
then | am to be married"
You are going on the stage? Your
promise to me, Marie-did you forget
that?"
"No; but | thought all was cancelled
between us. must 90 now. 1t would
take a thousand pounds to forfeit my
engagement. Neither you nor | have
that amount
But Ellis would lend it TO me. Oh,
my darling! do you owe me nothing for
all that have suffered?n
You forget that there is another en-
no money can release me
from. ! know now that did very
wrong. for the man is worthy of a good
woman all, and Team give him moth
ing but my worthless self. Go away.
Thornton! II can bear the future bet
ter now, since | know have only my i.
self to blame. Go, Thornton go"
eyes, Marie, | will 90; but only until
tomorrow We shall both be calmor
then. We will find a way out OF this
cruel labyrinth"
He bent and took her in his arms.
For moment she lay there, unresist-
ing 1t was so sweet, 50 perilouSly
sweet
Then she family murmured, 600"
and he obeyed her.
That night, servant brought her a
note. With trembling hand she broke
the seal. 1t was very short, but it gave
her back her freedom.
81 heard all, her lover wrote. 81 know now
why could wakcn no response In the heart
you told me was dead You would have kent
your word, Marie. but It would have been too
cruel to us both. Child, | told you once 10 love
You was 10 love you always | knew my
worns true men; Know them true now But
my love VIII never wrong the man who calls
YOU Wife. Yet dpnr. ugk hut ono iau, ra,.n.