The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-05-27
so BLUE
A Story of a Giron Gin.


my child, you have more than full.
filled every hope ever formed of you.
| knew, when | sent you TO Girton, that
you could not fail to acquit yourself
well, but did not look for this"
Magdalen Foster blushed with pleasure
Mt her father words, as well she might,
for the letter in her hand announced
that the papers sent up by her at the
recent Classical tripos entitled her to the
ninth place in the First Glass. The fact
of her womanhood stood in the way of
the b. A. degree being actually confer
red upon her. but that was matter Of
no consequence whatever to a girl who
had worked solely for the love Of knowl-
edge implanted and fostered in her by
scholarly father.
"Well, Magdalen, I'm sure | congratu-
late you heartily" said her sister Nora;
''and all the more so because now, ut
last, | suppose you will consider yourself
blue enough"
The blush OF pleasure now faded from
Magdalen's checks 81 never wanted to
be blue" she said, nervously.
Then I'm afraid you have succeeded
without the wanting" laughed Nora. -
-Why my dear, you are blue Of the very
deepest dye; and you not only are it.
but you look il. You don't 90 about in
cap and gown, or with spectacles and
inky fingers. but there is no installing
In you the model of a sweet girl gradu-
ate"
There was certain amount of truth
In this. Magdalcn, especially by the
side of the pretty if rather dollish-
featured Nora, was studious-looking,
TO say the least. She was tall, and
stopped slightly, her complexion though
clear was colorless, and she had the re-
Elective fnsSsiook that is not unfrequent-
ly the sign of habitual study, Yet her
fhce was singularly sweet in expression,
( the open tranquil brow seemed inoer;~.
4 BILE of frowping. the brown eyes might
W be dreamy, but never irate.
Y "Magdalen" asked her father, after
q while, "are you still willing to become
my amanuensisP"
40. papa" returned the girl, eager
", Il shall be SO proud if you will let
me"
Mr.. Foster was an eminent student OF
the classics, and it had always been
Magdalens great ambition to help him
in the preparation of his valuable works.
She did not forcsee all the results of
her college achievements, and of this
new relation TO her father. 1t did not
occur to the supplemented girl that
there was anything in what she had done
"a ALLEVIATE her from her old acquaint-
ances. Yet so II was Quite unconscious
ly she awed her cotemporaries, who,
girls and young men alike, fought shy OF
so distinguished "blue-stocking. v
Married women, again, found her ignor-
ant of their domestic interests, while she
was too timid 10 open out 70 elder men.
Children alone unable to comprehend
the talk about her learning, were guided
by the simple sweetness of her face, and
fearlessy made plaything of her. With
them she could be happy, but in the
midst Of people who insisted upon pay
ing her compliments and treating her
with Difference, her manner became stiff
and distant for very shyness. Society
became distasteful TO her, and gradual
ly people left off inviting her, under the
mistaken impression that she was above
caring for any entertainment they could
offer. She remained Miss Foster only
in name; to all intends and purposes
Nora was the eldcr sister While Mag
dalen had been porting over her backs,
Nora had studied tho art of,maRing her.
self agreeable, ari ssslduously cutivat-
oil various gifts She was musical, and
clever IA her pencil, could ride and
My tennis well, also she had the bright,
attractive beauty that treblcs the value
Of all such social accomplishments And,
above all, she knew exactly how 70 turn
every one of her good points TO the best
possible account II will thus be seen
how easy il was for her 70 keep Magda-
len in the background, and by skillful
insinuations throw her own good quail
ties into greater relief than ever
One evening they were taken by sur
prise by the unexpected arrival Of win
Fairbairn, an old friend and playfellow.
Dinner was just being served. and the
young man took his seat among them,
laughing and putting up bis hands as if
70 petition against the volley OF ques.
tons and ordinations with which he
was saluted,
II haven't distinguished single word
any one has said" he declared at last
"But imagine you are asking where I
spring from and what I've come about
Briefly, then, I'm of TO s,he Cape in
months time, and have come 10 bid you
oil long farewell"
Farewell! The Caper' exclaimed the
Fosters. What do you meanP"
'1'v. had EJaQ left me by AN aunt"
Will proceeded TO explain; "and friend
has strongly advised mo 10 invest II in
ostriches. lie says they pay tremen-
dously, and the life is delightful. have
.cons .ltedeyery possible authority, and
= ,rcali fhIss-suxe that could do better.
hate Office vcfN ! haven't the brains to