The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-06-18


~ am spinning flax for Betty, because
she has rheumatism in her poor Shout
der, and can do nothing, and this much
fax must be finished by certain time.
have nearly got through my portion
now" says Mona; "and then we can go
home"
when bring you to my home, y says
Geoitrey, II shall have you painted in
just that gown, and with q spinning
wheel before you; and it shall be hung
in the gallery among the other-very in
ferior-beauties."
"Where?" says Mona, looking up
quickly.
"Oh! at home, you know" says Mr..
Rodney, quickly, discovering his mis-
take. For the moment he had forgot
ten his former declaration of poverty,
or, ut least, his consenting silence,
when she had asked him about it.
"ln the National Gallery, do you
mean?" asks Mona, with pretty, pu2-
2Ied frown ON her brow. ooh, no. Geof-
frey; | shouldn't like that at all. To be
stared at by eyerybody-it wouldn't be
nice. would itp"
Rodney laughs, in an inward fashion,
biting his lip and looking down.
VERY WELL you shan't be put there, "
he says. But nevertheless you must
be prepared for the fact that you will
undoubtedly be stared at by the COM
mon herd, whether you are in the Ma
tOnal Gallery or ont Of it,
But whyY" says Mona, trying to
read his face. Am 80 different from
other peoplo?"
VERY different" says Rodney.
"That is what | am afraid of always,
says Mona, little wiStlully.
Don't be afraid. 1t is quite the cor
rect thing to he eccentric nowadays.
One is nowhere If not bizarre says
Rodney, laughing; $50 | dare say you
will find yourself the very height Of the
fashion"
Now think you are making fun of
me, says Mona, smiling sweetly, and
lifting her hand she pincheS his ear
lightly, and very softly, lest she should
hurt him.
Here the old woman at the fire, who
has been watching with anxious man
ner the contents of the iron pot, takes
it off the fire, and shifting its steaming
contents. says, Maybe ye'd ate a pra-
tie, would We, now2" and Mona and
Godfrey, with laughing eyes, sit down
and dohOneSt justice to the homely fare
sit might be that ye'd take a dhror
of new milk, too says Betty, on hospit-
able thoughts INTENT" placing before
her visitors little jug of milk she has
all day been keeping apart, poor soul
for her own delectation.
Not knnurinu thiu Mnna nnI CnpF
frey Whose flask is empty accept the
proilered milk, and make merry over
their impromptu feast, while in the
background the old woman smiles upon
them and utters little kindly sentences
Ten minutes later, having bidder
their hostess a hearty farewell, they
step out into the open air and walk to-
wards the farm.
"You have never told me how many
people are in your house." says Mona
presently. TEL me now | know
about your mother, and, shyly, "about
Nicholas; but is there any one elsc?"
"Well, Jack is home by this time,
suppose-that's my second brother; at
least he was expected yesterday; and
Violet Mansergh is very often there's
and as rule, you know, there is always
somebody; and that's all. -
Isis Violet Mansergh pretty
girl?' asks Mona, grasping instructive
~ at the fact that any one called Violet
Mansergh may be a possible rival.
pretty? No. But she dresses very
swagger, and always looks nice, and *
generally correct all through, !" says Mr.
Rodney, easily.
II know" says Mona, sadly.
"She's the girl my mother wanted me
to marry, you know" goes on Rodney
unObservant, as men always are, of the
small signals of distress hung out by
his companion.
"Oh, indeed" says Mona; and then,
with downcast eyes, but | don't know,
because you never told me before
~ thought did, " says Godfrey, walk
ing slowly TO sense of the situation.
"Well, you didn't" says Mona. Are
you engaged TO herr"
"lf | was, how could / ask you to
marry me?' returns he, in tone SO hurt
that she grows abashed.
II hope she isn't in love with you,
she says, slowly.
"You may bet anything you like or
that, says Godfrey, cheerfully. "Sht
cares for me Just about as much as
care for her, which means exactly moth
ing.n
II am very glad, "says Mona, in a low
tone.
why, Mona?'
Because | could not bear to thinl
any one was made unhappy by me.
would seem as though some evil ey,
was resting on our love- saws Mona
raising her thoughtful, earnest eyes {,
his. 1T must be sad thing when on
happiness causes the misery of others
Yet even were it SO you would low,
me, Mona?'
81 shall always love YOU" says thu
girl, with sweet seriousness, "bettel
than life. But in that case | should al
ways, too, have regret"
There is no need for regret, dar
ling" says he. III am heart whole, ant
know no woman that loves me, or FOL
whose affection ! should ask, excep
yourself"
~ am indeed dear to You, think. ;
says Mona, softly and thankfully, grow
ing a little pale through the intensity o.
her emotion
"'perdltion catch my soul, but dc
love thee replies he, quite as softly
Then she is pleased, and slips heI
hand INTO his, and goes along the quiet
road beside him with a heart in whicl
high jubilee holds sway. Yet after {
Few moments the smile fades from hel
mobile. lips and Il pcnsiye expression
takes lis place.
II think I'd like to see myself in 8