The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-02-26

NN''N
side her.
IL am going TO tell you now, Uncle
Jules; | do not wish TO have secret from
you. Yesterday, when you asked me who
II was | expected 10 hear from, we were not
alone, or should have told you that-that
u was not schoolfricnd, but some one
dearer than a friend-dearer TO me than
any one Inthe world, except yourself"
Except myself are you sure there is
any cxceptionSn he questioned, with a
grave smile. "Well, Welt And who Is
this mysterious some oneY"
"Ile is an artist When his mother was
living they were our neighbors at Fon.
tainebleau. Afterwards he removed TO
Paris, but he still taught at Madame Yer
nier's so that saw HIM often My father
knew that we loved each other but before
he died he made Leon promise that he
would not ask me to marry him while he
was still poor, He himself had known the
bitterness Of poyerty-my poor father! he
had seen my mother wasting away in"
Her voice faltered, and the tears rushed
to her eyes.
Her companion compressed his lips as il
in pain. EdmGe did not know what
pang of remorse her words sent through
his heart. There was a moments silence,
then he asked suddenly "What did you
say his name was-this artist"
Leon Leclerc."
He pushed back his chair with an cx
clamation.
"You know him. she said quickly
"Ah, can guess, He paints for Monsieur
Vautreau, does he not? and it was he
whom you heard singing my song. Have
you seen his pictures, Uncle Jules are
they not beauttulY is there not a brilliant
future before him?"
"l-ycs, ! think So" he acquesced me
chmicaIly, hardly conscious Of what he
said. Leon Leclerc EdmGe's lover! He
could not reaizei it,
"If only he does not lose heart" she
went on: "when heard from him month
ago he seemed depressed and anxious; |
fear he had been working too hard, He
was busy with new picture, which he
hoped to finish in time TO send to the Salon,
He promised to write again and tell me
how twas progressing, but ali! she broke
of, leaning forward to look out of the
window, there is the postman coming TO
the house. Perhaps he has letter for me-"
y
| few moments returned, breathess from her
hurried run downstairs, with bright
flushed face, and a letter in her hand, which
she held up triumphantly.
AT last had n presentiment that it
would come to-day"
She hastily lighted the lamp, and sat
down at the table to read it. But before
she could open the envelope, her uncle rose
suddenly and laid his hand on hers.
EdmGe-do not read that letter. or, al
least, let me see il first"
She looked up at him in wonder
"Why may not read it Uncle Jules
| Do yOu---"
Il too have presentiment," he returned
with forced smile Il fear it may con
tain bad news. Come, now--if you will
give it me unread, | will call upon Icon
tomorrow, and-and later, you shall see
him."
She flushed and paed, holding the letter
tightly folded in her hands.
~ can not" she whispered, al must
read it, If he is in trouble"
He turned from her without another
| worn, anu Nulhtu W lllc NlHNlpN, NHtl'
he stood with folded arms looking out int;
the dusky street, Very shortly an excama
ton from EdmGe made him look TOWARD
her again.
She was very pale, all the brightness ha(
faded from her face.
"Oh, Uncle Jules, you were right; this
is bad news indeed He writes too bi,
me farewell. All his hopes are wrecked
he says, and he is in some dreadful
trouble, but he does not eyplain-stay
what is this?'
She glanced over the last page and reat
aloud; " | once thought poverty the wors
of evils, but | know now that a man has
not tasted the dregs of bitterness till Inc
is in debt My first step toward ruin was
taken when ] crossed the threshold oi-o
Vautreau, the usurer."
She looked up blankly at her companion
"What does it mcanY Surely that is no
not your"
"Give me the letter." he interrupted, anC
took it from her hand. Standing so tina
she could not see his face, he read tn
hastily scrawlcd lines, which had evident,
been written Immediately after his ntcl
view with the artist that morning Iii
own name was mentioned in terms whicI
brought the blood to his dry check Bu
the letter breathed more despair than BIZ
terness.
"Adeu, EdmGcl" itconcluded al mus
not let you waste your life in waiting for
day which may never dawn, though in say
ing farewell to you | part from all thu
makes life sweet
of | rashly part from life itself, iorgiy
me, my beloved, and forget me-"
NJ. Renault crushed the paper in hi
hand and looked up,
al will 20 to him." wasall he said.
stake me with youl" EdmGe pleaded
IL want to see him-to tell him"
you shall see him, but | can not TAX
you with me- | must speak to him fir
alone"
Then you will bring him back wit
your" she cntreated, clinging to his arm
"I-yes. will bring him." he answer
ed slowly, and was silent moment, Iool
ing into the sweet earnest face appraised
his. He was thinking that perhaps h
should never see that look of love an
trust upon itagain,
kiss me, child!" he said suddenly
Wondering q little, she obeycd, pressin
her lips to his cheek again and again.
"Shc shall be happy--it will atone" b
muttered, and the next moment he W,
, gone.
His heart was heavy and anxious as i
hurried on through the dusky street
Should he find Leony that was the dou
which Oppressed him. He did not belie'