The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-02-12

skating, WhlCh an unusually long frost
had made fashionable pastime, and in
which she knew he exceled.
1--WE had quite a gathering at Silver
more yesterday, Miss Cameron. Do you
not skater"
mo; I have never had an opportunity
Of learning"
"Really! You miss great pleasure"
$50 suppose; it is one Of those pleas.
ures Of which have always been com.
PEELED to be spectator, the natural con-
sequence of living in London" she said
rather bitterly, for the polite Indifference
OF his words stung her,
"Hard lines, Miss Cameron" he returned
lightly, but with quick upward glance
at her.
which, she asked sharply. "Living
in London or not being able to skater"
"Both, should say"
"Ah, you were always devoted to the
country"
"And you to town." he retorted
They had stumbled upon an unlucky
subject. His tone was suspiciously indif-
ferent, his eyes looked determinedly at
the fire, and the old restless trick of NOV
ing the ornaments seemed to have re-
turned.
"How different he isr' thought Geral-
dine in the sudden silence that followed
the introduction Of the dangerous topic
al wish Alice would come"
In few moments the door opened, and
Lady Netherby, in full evening dress
came into the ROOM
"Why, Geraldine, the carriage is ready,
and you are not dressed! Do you know
how late it isl" she said.
II am not going, Alice. l hate dinner
partiesr was the pettish reply.
"Not goingf But, Geraldine I can't
60"
ooh, yes, Alice, you can, knowl hate
dinunr-rGrties and all belonging TO them;
but says something pleasant in.my behalf
to Mrs. Preston"
Lady Netherby unfurled her delicate
iNOi ioH III hlSIIdy'
Harry" she called out to her husband,
"here's Gera at the last minute refusing
to go! What is to be done9"
Sir Henry came in.
"Why, what's the matter, Gera2"
"Nothing! Don't tease me; I'm tired of
dissipation. You must let me off this
time"
LET you off Nonsense, Gera~
She raised her eyes appealingly to him.
you were always good to me, Harry"
she said. Don't make me go; am so
tired"
Sir Henry gave sharp glance at her.
and uttered an emphatic "Hemw
What caplicious girl you arel Come
along, Alice" he said Offering his arm to
his wife to lead her to the carriag Sears
dale, we can give you lift to Brans.
combe."
mo, thanks shall walk replied Mr..
Scarsdale, moving from his place by the
fire. "But l promised Mollie to 90 and
see the new school-room this evening. Is
she up therel"
"Yes," said Lady Netherby, "and will
be only too delighted at any interruption
to her lessons. Gera, l think you will
have a fit Of repentance in five minutes
time" she added as she left the room.
A grave "Good-night' and the most
formal of bows from Mr. Scarsdale, and E%
was gone also, Had he seen the panied
wistful look on the fair face before him, he
might not made his farewell either so brief
or so cold
So Geraldine was left alone with her own
thoughts, which were not very profitable
ones. She sat on in her low seat by the
fire, looking with sad yearning eyes into
the past. What had those four years
of luxurious gaiety, of brilliant success,
done for her-tour years Of the great
worldf Were they not all confused
medley of driving, dancing, dining, of
rushing from house to house, from Soiyue
to conversations, from Jcte to ball, from sci.
entitic reunions to fve-o'clock kettle
drums-a weary toll of slight shams and
social delusionsl And now what was left
herr A dreary loneliness, longing for
rest, passionate wish that she could stay
forever where she was, and never go back
to the whirl Of excitement, the memory of
which made her brain ache and throb.
But it was her own fault, her own choice.
Four years ago she had put her chance Of
happiness away from her--she would none
of it; and now nobody wanted her, nobody
was the better or happier for her exist
ence. She had battered the true love OF |
O good man for the destinations and glitter
of her world and they turned to dust and |
ashes in her mouth.
mo, he does not care--he does not even |
she sobbed. "Too late--too
late! did love him; but I loved myself
better"
After while she brushed aside the
tears with an impatient gesture, and rs.
ing moved about the room, taking up now
\ book, now an ornament and replacing Il
At the piano she stopped,
md then sat down and began to play low
lreamy melodies, at last breaking into the