The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-10-15

good name, and that you have sullied
that name. | cannot forget that you
had a mothers love TO guard yOu-and
OH" Erica said with sudden passion,
claspng her hands over her face, II
cannot forget-would to Heaven could
for one brief moment.-that on me is
laid the burden of striving to win you
back to honor and duty
Arnold did not speak, but stood in
perfect silence, half amused by the
passionate bitterness with which Erica
had uttered those words, yet half an
gered too.
"Why do you tryY" he said, sullenly,
at length; tits no earthly use. You've
told me often enough that I'm every
thing that's bad. / can't help it if you
are so sensitive as to be wretched be-
cause | play and bet, and so on, and be-
cause your husband is too honorable to
allow his wife to know such a person.
Thousands Of fellows do the same,
Erica; you don't know the world II bit,
and think everything dreadful"
"Thousandsl' said the girl, claSping
her hands together, and suppressing
the Steiner words that sprang to her
lips, curing themselves to RUM they
only play and bet, And, Arnold, you
know well that my husband would not
turn from you if you remembered that
you bore an honored name"
Il would not sue any man for his fa-
vor, said Arnold, haughtily. III steer
my course to please myself, not any
man living For you, Erica, he went
on more softly. II could try TO be some
thing more different; but you say your
self am weak, and if ever one wants
to get out Of the set I'm in, there are a
hundred fellows to pull you back |
won't trouble you much after these
races are over. I'll 90 away abroad
again"
Abroad or at home, Arnold" Erica
said, sadly, you are the same. | can
not shut my eyes to a sorrow because it
is not actually at my doors. And YOU
always turn to ne for help; how long
shall be able to give it 10 you; And
if Philip were to find out that ! helped
you-o she shiyered uncontrOllably,
and Arnold said quickly:
lie must not-need not; you would
not break your oath, Ericay'
Have no fear, she answered, with
quiet ScOrn that stung him. II deem
my honor sacred and / haye sworn to
shield your name from public shame. |
can DO no more than that. ilarM' she
said, suddenly bending forward s,riy-
ing to pierce the darkness. and sinking
her voice to a whisper; did you hear
nothing? a step? Go, Arnold; you
must not stay"
She put out her hand, laying it with
quick force on his arm; but he paused
yet a moment.
"Say YOU forgive me. Erica, he said,
earnestly, with one of those flashes Of
better feeling that yelled to certain
extent his real nature even from her.
Try and think of me less bitterly: try
and remember how | love you. You
are the only friend have, Erica
But she did not heed him, still belld-
ing forward, looking up the beach; but
suddenly, with an almost frantic ges-
ture pushed him from her.
"Go--go. Oh, for Gods sake, leave
me" she whispered with white lips. 1T
is he-Philip.'
why should not meet him." said
Arnold, flushing
Why She turned almost fercely
upon him. Because | dare not own
you as Walters wild companion. DO
you comprehend now
He turned quickly then with a low
"Good-night,' and strobe away swiftly
through the darkness, and then, with an
effort that seemed TO almost exhaust all
her powers, the girl braced herself to
meet Philip calmly, to combat any ques-
tons he might ask.
He came down 10 her, and his first
words sent lightning thrill through
every nerve; his tone had in il some dis
pleasure, and his question was almost
stern.
"Who was that talking to you, Erica?
1t is late for you to be out on the beach
alone
II was well that in the darkness he
did not see the swift upward look of
despair, the clenching of the small
hands together But she answered
him, speaking careeSsly:
There's nothing to be afraid of. No
one will hurt me here. You have Lon
don notions, Philip"
You are too careless" he answered
more quietly, and wrapping her shawl
round her for she shiyered in the night
wind, "and 1t is too cold for you to be
out, II there were no other reason
w Nv nllu ObuE
III was talking to Nat POINTER" she
answered in a low voice, crushing back
Heaven knows what agony in her heart
as she uttered the Ile-the first she had
ever uttered. And the first was to the
man who loved herr "Shall we go back,
Philip? did not know il was so late.
You are earlier than yuu expected to
be, are you not2 And did you meet Mr..
Proctor!'
lie told her as tlay went back up the
beach. of his YsujU .lpuod, who he
had met. and Of Sou2 literary scheme
that had been proposed TO him, and the
girl walked by his side, hearing all he
said, but like one in a dream and feel
ing all the while as though u dense
black mlsl had risen up between her
and Philip, as though she had fallen
suddenly from his sphere.
And she knew that her own words
had done this, and that she had taken
one more step in that failure of love
and duty which she felt, with a deadly
SILVER he could scarcely forgive.
The housekcoper, who had come to
her from her auut's house. met her in
the hall and took her shawl from her.
=" \ gentleman camc tonight, mad
am, S he said, "and asked for you. He
dld not give name, but said he was an
old friend.o
An old friendln repeated Erica.
n l...l l..