The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-12-21
BELLA.

A hot August day; dusty country
road, or rather lane, on the fringe OF
Dartmoor, far away from all towns or
any signs of civilization, save an occa-
siona alehouse. The lane is narrow, as
all lanes whereabouts are the banks
high, and the hedges that grow along
their ridges higher still, overhanging
| till they meet in the centre, and so form
a perfect bower of shade, grateful
enough to the solitary pedestrian who
| trudged steadily EDWARDS, despite the
heat of the day--a handsome young
man, with perspiring brow, toiling up
parched roadside, laden with an ar
lists sketching paraphernalia,
"Whewr he exclaimed, pausing n
moment to shift his easel to the other
shoulder, and lift his straw hat an in
slant from his moist curls, "this is get
ting monotonous"
Maurice Dering was a good traveller,
| and was not deferred by the heat, dust
or distance, but for more than mile
the close branches had twinkled unbro-
ken overhead on either side his wayne
dwelling or glimpse of landscape to
be seen.
He covered his blonde curls and re-
sumed his walk He intended to put
up for the night at the next house
He reached it at last--a low, broad
| farmhouse, with cattle lowing in the
yard, and a sour-visaged woman gath
ering up milk-pans from n bench by the
door.
Good evening, madam! Can get
put up here for the night?" asked Mau-
rice, coming rather gladly to u stand
still under the doorway, and relieving
himself Of his burdens.
The woman gave him a sharp glance,
which however seemed to be salts
factory.
This amt public she answered,
"but I've got a room ! don't mind let
ting, Come aud look at it," and went
within doors, y
The artist followed.
Mrs. Trevethick, however, instantly
disappeared beyond his sight, and he
found himself in Il low, long ROOM
with an open fireplace filled with ever
green bushes, and swarm Of flies de-
vouring sickly baby, asleep on Il
chintz-covercd sofa. The whole house
was filled with the odor of boiled bacon
and greens, and was quite GREATNESS,
The young man retrcated again into
the open air, and sat down on the bench
where the milkpans had BEEN tanning
himself with his straw hat,
The intorminablc hedges had come to
an end here, and vista of low-lying
emerald meadows and silvery curying
river opened against the sunset sky,
The heat was tempered by the gath
ering dampness, bringing a sense OF
refreshment and rest, which was speed
; lily banished by sounds from within,
First came the bump and jingle of a
tray Of dishes set upon the table, then
an excited female voice
"Belal Bella! say lift that sauce
: pan OF 'ho FIRE; then come an take this
young one oil my skirts AN lay the ia
= BILE. There's a gentleman here to sup
per-a painter chap leastways, There
Keep out from under my feet, them"
A bump, the scream Of child, tn,
wailing of two children.
Harmony, sweet harmony hum
med Maurice, rising and walking dow
the lane,
The open air was sweet; the sunse
! sky a magnificent gold At the end o
: the lane was spring, running into
rocky basin, pretty as poem. He for
got Mrs. Trevethick, and strolled ant
e unused, watching the lights and shad
y ows, and breathing the perfume o
J. white clover and sweet-brier, until {
!: shrek of Supper" from the opeI
's doorway recalled him TO the house.
. ~"Supper's all ready, young man." sa
" luted Mrs, Trevetbck from the dusk,
j. interior. Wash yourself. There!
IA plenty of water in the kitchen sink
!: Bella, you show him, Amt got any
At brush. You can shake your coat out t.
3. the door"
/ Maurice's smile of amusement as h,
N followed these suggestions was sudden
u ly arrested by the sight of II youn.
j face, so deadly pale and sad that in Al
g instant he forgot everything else
le Here is water" said the girl caleC
u Bella. She had o baby in her arms
j another by the hand, 1.-The towel i
clean" she added timidly.
h. She had sweet and gentle voice.
: Thank you! Never mind me. II
y do very well now" replied Maurice
Z plungng into swimming basin of ice
81 cold water.
I But he watched Bella, as she sat wea
2 rily down upon n stool, and placin,
81 both babies in an Anticipated cradle, be
d gan to rock them, softly singing. TIL
:. elder rubbed his fists in his eyes an
81 squalled Justify; but she porsevered pa
VI tiently, until both were asleep The
q she rose and waited on the table
il There was large family Of roug
81 men, redolent of the Darn-yard, VIII
81 cnergetically devoured the meal, wit
uI their elbows at right-aDgles, plying for
X and knife alternately, on trips to an
81 fro between plate and mouth, giyiu
81 either no rest until the last brnmir
= saucer Of hot tea had been cmp,ied, an
the repletcd eater rose and lounged Vi
II at the door.
|. Maurice thanked his stars that
y was blessed with the digestion Of an 0
i trioh AS he rose from the table OF grca,
!: bacon, greens, aud potatoes, aud h
!. saffron bread,