The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-05-16

1t was yearly danger TO which every
one had become accustomed, SO that no
plans were changed, and all amuse-
ments went on as gaily as il destruction
did not threaten every home for miles
around, and our nearest neighbors had
invited us to attend a country wedding
with them that night. Ruth hesitated
about leaving her invalid, but he urged
her T. 60, assuring her there was no
danger whatever; so when we heard the
call at the gate, "Oh, Miss Ruth, arc
you readyP" we threw on our wraps
and started, gloves in hand.
We found after various apologies that
the family carriage had strayed away
during the "late unpleasantness' and
had failed to return and that the convey
ance provided for us was two-wheeled
cart. We we're assured the straw on the
bottom was clean and begged to "Sit
right down, sit right down; it's all
clean" And after much laughing and
crowding, we six-grandma and baby,
mother and sister. Ruth and l, with a
bundle of hay for the horse to eat, were
packed away and joltcd along right
mcrriy. We drove beside the levee, but
tho angry rush of the river and the ris-
ing wind seemed to occasion no uneasi-
ness in our companions
The house to which we were going
stood on point Of land which the river
had encroached upon year after year
until it was almost an island, and it
seemed that soon the whole plantation
would be washed away. I could only
wonder at the gayety Of my companions,
and TO divert my mind from my own
fears, asked
HAS Miss Dorm been long engaged?"
ayes, five years The wedding day
has been txed twice before; the guests
invited, the cake ready, and the bridal
veil waiting TO be put on. The first
time Dora was sick, so very sick it SEEM
ed impossible that she could live through
that day, but as soon as the hour for the
wedding was passed she began to inn
prove. The next time the groom fell
and broke his leg an hour or two before
he should have been married"
'IIow strange"
"Well, Dora is the last one Of an old.
old family. She had an old nurse who
saw visions and foretold coming events,
who told Dora that she would never be
a wife or mother, and she almost began
to believe it. She says if she fails this
time she will never try again"
80 here we are! Back up and dump
your load" And amid much noise and
chattering we scrambled to the ground
and shook out our crumpled dresses.
We were received by beautiful
white haired old lady who kissed us all
and made US welcome. After glance
at the bare hands about us we slipped
our gloves into our pockets and were
ushered into the parlor and joined one
of the two lines that sat facing each 9TH
er for the ceremony to begin. Thewhitc-
haired old lady sat beside Ruth, who
had evidently taken her fancy. | could
see that the sweet-faced matron was tell
ing my gentle girl the story of her own
daughters misadventurous love that
was soon to be crowned with happy
fruition. Had she OWNED that my
Ruth was heart-sore and sick because OF
loyeP think so.
The guests waited awkwardly rs
country people gathered from far and
near are wont to do. The servant moved
oiliciously about to save the appearance
of delay. At length the hostess, with
the slightest flush Of annoyance on her
fair face. left Ruth 10 devote herself TO
others. Ruth came over where | was
standing by an open window, and put
| ting her hard on my shoulder turned her
face from the light and said:
"Oh,. Aunty / am so miserable. Why
is it that every one else may be happy
and r.
There, there" said soothingly. "Do
not be SO weak" And then added in
bantering tone, mo doubt Frank will
come back"
"Too late" she said, ~ have promis-
ed to marry Major Grant"
"Why, Ruth"
had no time TO say more
The minister appeared; then came
the bridal party; the promises were
made, hands were shaken, congratula-
| tionS uttered, refreshments were eaten,
the iiddlers were called in and dancing
began.
Three hours had passed. The revel
was at its height. The fair bride, her
long delayed hopes fulfilled, the gloomy
prophecy exploded. iloated in and out
in the ma2es of the dance, the gayest Of
the gay. Ruth her fair face flushed,
seemed to have forgotten her sorrow in
her enjoyment Of this suspicious occas-
ion. BY her grace and tact could see
! that she was adding much 10 the enjoy
nlcnt of Others. The happy mother of
the bride moved about among the elder
guests, dispensing smiles and bringing
| pleasure wherever sho went. Presently
Ruth came and said with face BEAM
ing with joy:
"Oh, Aunty, / am 50 glad we came.
| never knew it was such pleasure to
make Others happy. | am not bit sad
now. | believe could even meet Frank
with composurc. IIark What il thatp"
she exclaimed turning toward the open
window, through which came dull,
| harsh murmur
Before she had time TO say more there
was an uproar nj the lower end of the
room, u cry Of "CrevasscN from tho af-
frighted servants, 'and Frank Russell,
rushing through a crowd Of dancers,
leapcd upon chair not three steps from