The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-09-06
THANK THE FLOWERS.

,r, = ""'hNtHlHS III pOcket-DOOk,
Inc only thing on the dismantle,
taoIe that was left unspoilt to the ey
was the wonderful vases of splendj,
tropical blossoms that were sending on
sweet breathing scents upon the smoke
laden air.
a wan,,faced waiter in q greasy dress
sult stood watching the gentleman i'm
patiently.
Organically sensitive to degree Dr.
holt lifted his large grey ewes to the
mans face and asked haughtilv:
Am in your way, my good fellow"
mo, sir, certainly not, sir,n said the
waiter sheepishly, wiping his hands on
The napkin at his side "only---n
An understand. I'm not exactly
IN the way, yet you wish me away.
Now why is th0t?"
- Well, if you must know, sir, the
head waiter will be here presently, and
lshall lose my chance of those flowers y
"W hat do you want the flowers forpn
asked the gentleman, surprised that the
coveted articlewa not a game-pie close
at hand,
'Well, you see, sir, in our house there
is poor foreign lady who is dying, and
she is mortal fond Of flowers, particu.
lsrly great Haunting flashing ones like
them there; she says they remind her of
the sunny south. "
The gentleman WINGED and the wait.
er continued:
My missus made me promise TO
bring some home; my missus is a soft.
hearted one, and has taken fancy TO
Madame Belini."
DIR, Holt started still more, then said
lightly: sew
"A soft heart is better than soft
head. You shall have the flowers
He took a double-handful of the finest
blossoms, and picking up his card from
beside his plate, bound them up tightly,
then said
lake them and that jelly Wonder
and this half-botte of wine, and if tbev
me- W
Then he went out and forgot all about
the transaction over rubber of whist.
AT the top of house in the dreariest |
part OF the big city the waiter in ques-
ton stood beside good-natured come
ly-looking woman at the foot Of low
white bed, where a lovely but haggard.
looking woman lay, supported .by bill
lows; her great dark ewes were unnat-
urally bright, her lips a vivid red. her
cheeks crimson as the cool fresh flower
she laid against them lovingly.
ut was 7ery kind of you, Merton. ia
think OF ne. The flowers make me feel
h happy' they syys f ii It's W9arm ny oogSR sweet
haps when | am deod 'Ls a. -: viii
talk to me and know | love them"
A tiresome hacking cough interrupt
ed her low soft speech, that had a slight
" foreign accent. Fidgeting with the
flowers. she noticed that the stems were
too tightly compressed, and tried to UNI
wind the string with her nervous fingers
"Cut it, Merton; see how cruelty ii
must bruise the stems. Why did you
tie them SO tghtlyP'
II did not tie them, madame; the gem
tleman who gave me leave to take them
did it."
HE must have been a kind man.
Merton"
~ think he is, madame, he has a kind.
face. This is his name, fancy"
Madame held out her hand for the |
card, and read:
'Dr Felix Holt"
She gave cry of surprise, and
dropped the card as though it had stuns
her.
"You are in pain madame; can | do
ANYTHING for youP" asked MIS-. Merton.
mo thanks. lis an old pain
think can sleep now"
Then she pressed the card to her lips,
and placed it in her bosom; saying to
herself softly:
"Heaven in its infinite mercy directed
this kindness from his hands" and fell
asleep with smile of divine gratitude
on her sweet face.
1.-The doctor gives no hope for me,
Merton, and now | know must die !
have favor to ask of you. Take that
card and that faded passion-hower' and
seek the gentleman who gave them to
you; tell him Mignon is dying and wish
es to say farewell to him"
Merton nodded and left her, too
moved to speak.
The sick woman lay back amid the
pillows, her lips moved as though she
prayed
Ii was bright breezy morning and
the generous sun sent its cheering rays
into the sick-room; golden canary
that hung in a cage by the attic window
hoped and chirped, then burst into
clear full song so glad was he OF the
sunshine
Madame opened her eyes and smiled
"Does the bird disturb you, dearleP -
asked Mrs Merton. "Shall | take 1t
awayPn
mo, no; my bird has long been my
one soace. Poor pet. it is inviting me
to Join its melody, but | shall never sing
again on earth; my soul is saving up Its
songs for Paradise
The sun sank down reluctantly, show
ing his glory Of gold and crimson long
after his bonny face was hidden behind
a bank OF clouds. Madame was look
ing brighter for long sleep, and was
listening for the footsteps that had once
quickened as they neared her
Now she heard them linger on tn
landing; she claspcd her hands abov
her heart, and said in clear high tone