The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-02-19

q relative in the world but yourself. Ma
come to youY" C Cool, decarei'D g
shall not be a burden TO you, for though J
do not inherit my dear fathers genius
("save the mark!') 81 think paint well
enough to earn my own living, Even if
can not sell my pictures can always teach.
| am compelled to leave here on Tuesday,
and if do not hear from you to the con.
trary | shall venture TO take for granted
your permission" {" Tuesday, Why that
is to-day; if | had only known--")
dear uncle, please let me come to you /
am so lonely, and the world is so wide and
so cold,-Your aiIectionate niece,
EDMEE LAFEUILLADE."
For some minutes he sat with the letter
in his hand, rubbing his chin and staring
absently at the last lines. Then, slightly
shaking his head, as if in answer to his
thoughts, he methodically refoded and re-
stored 1t to the envelope
"Out Of the question. However, she can
stay for day or two till can make other
arrangements. ), FRANCHISE" he continued
aloud, "you must prepare a bedroom for
my niece, do you hear? 1t is likely that
she will arrive this evening"
| u
white elephant she could scarcely have
| looked more astonished.
"What? your niece? Didn't know you
| had one.n
al didn't know myself till a few mo-
ments ago, Her father is dead, il seems
and has left his child a beggar--but that
was to be expected Of the man.
And what are you going TO do with the
girl?" the old woman inquired sourly
| glancing at him over her shoulder. keep
her here in idleness while you are scraping
together money for her to squander when
you're dead? Follyl"
"a folly your master is not likely to
commit, my good friend. My niece will
tind-hark what was that?" he broke off
1t was a knock, or rather a modest tap,
at the outer door, and it had been twice re.
pcated before it attracted their attention.
AT the third repetition FRANCHISE obcyed
the summons.
A girlish figure, muflcd in dark wraps,
stood on the threshold,
Monsieur Renault" said young voice,
interrogatively.
Come in,' the woman answered and
drew back for her TO pass into the room.
The money-lcnder had hastily moved the
lamp, so that the light fell fun upon his
visitors features as she entered, leaving his
own in shadow. - -
"Uncle, | am Edmee" she said, and ap.
| preached him shyly, holding out two little
| gloved hands, and looking up into his face
anXlously, wisttully, with mixture of hope
and fear. He looked at her in return as il
she were ghost; and, indeed, she seemed
one to him. With all the heart he pos
sessed he had once loved his young sister
and here was her very self, standing before
him, with just that wistlul look he knew
so well.
| hope you are not displeased with me
| for coming" the girl said anXiously, as he
did not speak "but-but | had nowhere
else TO GO. Uncle Jules" she added with 6
pleading smile, won't you say that you
are glad TO see me-"
81 am you are welcome" he said
abruptly, rousing himself, and he Just
touched her forehead with his lips. i
have been out Of town, and only Just re
cciyed your letter, How did you learn my
address,"
:" ! found it among my fathers papers
He wrote TO you, think, shortly before he
| died!"
| received a letier-yes. You have
! brought some luggage, | suppOse:"
The boxes are in the hack al the door
60 down, FranCoisC pay the man, anC
| have them.brought up, and then see if YOU
can make this fire burn. Pouf ConiounC
! the smOkel "
II wants little coaXing," Edmee sale
| quickly, and the next moment she had
drawn Of her gloves, and was on her knees
before the stove
am very domestic character, Uncle
Jules" she said, smiling up at him as she
piled the bellows; "the girls used to say
was housemaid spoilt There, | think il
will do nicely now, and if ! had hearth
brush-ah, therel" In a twinkling she
had made the hearth neat, and rose, look.
ing with satisfaction at her work.
The fire was burning cheerily now, and
the Pickering blaze brought out the golden
CLEANS in her fair hair and lighted mp hel
face; sweet attractive face, full Of bright
ness and courage, yet touched with pen
siyencss. The features in rcpose had a
faint air of melancholy, as if liles shadows
had already fallen upon them.
She took of her hat and glanced round
the room.
"And this is your home" she said
thoughtfully. II tried to picture it to my
self, but"
But your picture was notmuch like the
reality? No, | suppose not, or you would
not have been quite so anxious to come tc
me, was his dry conclusion
"lf | had known before how-how sad
il was, should have wanted to come tc
YOU long ago" she answered gently.
He scrutinized her keenly under his
bent brows,
Has any one told you-ridiculous ru
mors get abroad somelimcs-that | am q
rich man,
She looked up with the grave innocent
wonder Of child and shook her head.
No; ! always iancied you were poor
II is so is it noty"
He scraped his chin looked meditatively
between the bars of the stove.
Umph, well--riChcs and poverty arc
comparative terms. | am certainly not SC
rich as could wish to be- Few people
are, | suppose"
" am glad you are not rich" Edme,
said simply. al could not have added tc
your happiness then as | think | can now
if you will let me. There is n line in AZ
old poet that am very fond of; Affection
IL hardy plant that ilourshes best in q
poor soil. Don't you think it's truey"
lie took pinch of snuff and shruUrcl