The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-12-13


gathered there Mt that hour. But all Of
drunken mans obstinacy was aroused,
and while they stood thus, there came
again the roll of wheels that were
checked suddenly, and Dr. Lloyd sprung
down as he took in that scene at
glance,
go into the house, Richard" he
commanded, and Rick, without a word,
obeyed. "I'll give him powder"
said the doctor to Daisy, you must
sleep yourself tonight" He stood
talking with her after he had seen Rick
safely in his room. $50 he has had the
pistol again. Well, | don't think that
need alarm you; Rick isn't one to do
himself any harm. He has been sly
enough to hide it again, or would take
possession Of it, He is never violent
towards you?"
ooh, no, never"
"Not quite brute enough for that"
muttered the doctor. as he took his
leave, and Daisy slept peacefully after
her trouble.
She did not really believe that Ralph
meant what he said, but he seemed de.
termned after that to visit his displeas-
ure upon her. Miss Winter came back
from her walk next day with her hands
full Of ferns.
$50 Mr., Armstrong isn't your engag-
ed lover after alp she remarked to
Daisy, II would have been flirting with
him before this if / hadn't supposed he
belonged to you"
"Flirtingl Oh, Miss Winterr'
He isn't bad hand at the pastime
himself, y remarked Miss Winter, coolly.
She understood the situation much bet
ter than she pretended, and liked Ralph
none the less because he seemed on the
point Of deserving his little white Daisy
for her
Rick had avoided the lodger from the
first 1t was revelation TO Daisy when
she came upon him one day holding a
crushed flower which Miss Winter had
worn He had not been near the village
for DAYS. Languid and spiritless he had
crept about the house or lain in the long
! grass with a look on his face which
went to his sisters heart. She under
stood it now as she saw him lift the fall
en- flower and just touch it with his lips.
IL have been mad enough for that,
Daisy--,o fall in love with her. And if
| had not thrown away my own man
hood, | need not now be in despair
that is the btterest thought Of all. :"
at is not too late to be true to your
self vet, Rick
She had little hope that this new
feeling might work some good in him,
but before the week was over, he had
broken bounds again, as il determined
to bury regret in oblivion
| Meanwhile the time came for Miss
Winter TO return to London, and she
sent for Ralph, who had promised to
drive her to the Station.e He came with
his light carriage and mettled horse,
looking neither sorry nor cast down,
Daisy observed with a throb OF the
heart
He false, then; he'll come back
10 me again when she is gone"
Rick had been at the village, He was
on his way home when, at some distance
away, he saw the carriage standing at
the parsonage gate. Ralph and Miss
Winter We're just taking their places in
it, the minister stood on the steps, and
the curious face of maid looked down
from garnet window. AS Ralph settled
down in his seat, his glance fell upon
that stumbling figure by the roadside,
and he gave vicious cut with his whip;
the spirited horses started with plunge,
buckle snapped, and then the next in
slant his driver had lost all control over
| him
Rick had taken in the scene which his
eyes rested on and sudden stiffness
went over him,
They've been getting married" he
said to himself, aghast, Been getting
married, and he has cheated Daisy, But
he shant get away so easy as that"
His brain was clouded with liquor;
some-bind impulse of rage and revenge
moved him, and his fingers clasped and
brought out the weapon which he some
times carried. They were close upon
him now; he lifted his hand and fired
at the horse, there Is every reason TO be-
lieve, for there was dangerous EN-
bankment near, toward which the run.
away was heading. But he missed his
mark, and the next instant the steel
shod hoofs were trampling him down.
A little further on and the carriage
was wrecked. Ralph Armstrong was
| picked up bruised and senseless his
nowly made bride was dead, a bullet in
her heart, and further back was a bleed
ing, pulpy mass beaten down in the
dust, that groaned when they touched
| 1t, but was beyond human aid,
The horror of that time was year
old when Ralph opened the rackety
gate and made his way again to the old
house. Daisy was sitting in the porch,
all in white, as he remembered her so
well, Then he was holding her hand,
and looking into hor startled eyes.
"My little white Daisyr broke over
his lips. II never really loved anyone
but you, and have come back to ask
you TO be my wife, after all"
"Oh, Ralph, don't you knowp'
"Kuow whatP" he asked, almost
tiorcely.
That am Dr. Lloyd's wife. Twas
married week ago"
And are you happy"
He wanted her to say no; he thought
L.. a A -. Il.