The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-10-08

foot resting on the side of his boat,
which he had redecOrated for Miss
Erica"
She had arrived the day before, but
had not been down on the beach. Nat
thought she might be coming down and
want spell on the sea this fine after
noon; so he had everything ready, and
as he stood so waiting, smoking his
short pipe, and screwing up his eyes in
the sun, he unused on the turn of affairs,
and on the appearance Of gentleman
whom he fancied to be Miss Erica's
husband that he had seen walking down
the High-street in the mOrainga tall,
handsome man, with delicate and
naughty features, somewhat stern and
grave, the boatman thought.
"IIulloa, Natl" said a voice; and a
burly fisherman lounged up with his
hands in, his pockets
"IIulloa, Jem!' responded Nat, with
out moving or scarcely looking at his
mate. Heard the news, JemY'
Nat removed his pipe from his mouth
to blow cloud Of smoke from his lips,
and tilted his boat backwards and for
wards as he spoke.
"News?' Jem was slow and rather
apathetc, as countrymen are, but the
sound of news stirred him little. mo;
only that Grayle House is took"
"That's the news. Don't you know
it's our Miss Erica as is the genneman's
wife?'
"No-ol" said Jem, with protracted
dwelling on the SOP that expressed
some bewilderment. miss Erica!--
Lord! Miss Erica! 'Oo's the genne-
mann"
Don know" said Nat. IF it's him
l saw to-day, he looks haristocrat,
every hinch of HIM"
Jem unused in silence for a moment
and then lounged away, uttering anew,
Miss Erica! Good Lord"
Nat, Nat! dear old Nat.' cries a
young, silvery voice. The shingles are
scattered far and wide, and down the
shelving beach comes bounding tall,
1.-the figure, whose every movement is
grace. Her soft hair is flying about
her, her eyes bright with glad greeting;
and she lays her two bare hands-on
one of which CLEANS the golden circlet
ON his, and smiles into his uncouth
face beaming now with delight.
Lord now; didn't think you'd be
down! and got the boat ready and all
and so you're married. Miss Erica
hum-l mean-l AK pardin, ma am"
Never mind. never mind that, said
Erica, laughing, and coloring little
too. I'm Miss Erica still, you know,
TO all my friends, How good of you to
get the boat ready-oh, it's the dear old
Water Nymph, how grand she looks"
and straightway Miss Erica vaulted
lightly into the boat and seated herself
in the stern, leaning her elbows on her
knees, and her firmly-rounded chin on
her hands, looking up with those beau
tiful eyes which have never lost GER
tain sadness of expression they had
even as a child. And now too, that the
first gladness of this renewal of old ac-
quaintanceship is subdued, the face
loses its bright flush and gayety and
settles into gravity.
II did her up for you, miss-ma' am"
said Nat, pulling himself up; lit does
seem nice to see you settin' there quite
comfor BILE like. And so you're mar
ried. Miss Erica"
Yes, Nat, I'm married." answered
the girl smiling. Weren't You sur
prised when you heard who had bought
Grayle HOuse?n
Il was that pleased. ma am, said Nat
with rough energy, there, | can't tell
We, when knOwd you was the genne-
mans wife. Be YOU going to live hereT'
"Oh, no, Nat. Mr.. st. John, that is
| my husband, is a writer-writes books,
YOU know, and he has to live in London;
! but he's been working too hard, and so
| asked him 10 come here for a time"
Aye, expect you haven't to ask for
nought but once, missy" said Nat,
laughing, and Erica smiled and looked
off to the sea, and went on speaking.
I've been married nearly year, Nat,
bat I've not been in London; we have
been mostly in Scotland, up in the north,
yachting, because Mr.. st. John was
| told he must rest"
WAS that him, miss-ma'am. | mean
I'm just nought but stupid said
Poynter, pushing his hat aft" "as
see this mornin in the village-a tai
gentleman, with moustache, no beard
or whiskers likeYn
That was my husband" Erica said
and smiled and looked thoughtful
again resting her cheek on her hand
then she lifted her eyes to Mats face
and half laughed, for she could reaC
the shade of dissatisfaction there.
whats the matter, Nat?" said she
Something doesn't please you"
"Please mel" Nat looked rather un
comfortable at being read so, but added
"a very proud genneman Mr.. st. John
Miss Erica. Looks stern like, and sor
o."
What, Nat?" said the girl, curiously
"Well, miss, can't explain, not be
ing no scholard. l shouldn't like t
cross him, Miss Erica" said Nat Poyn
ter; "but Lord, what do | know, and ;
man isn't none the worse for 'aving ;
temper of his own
mo, indeed, Nat" said Erica
thoughfully and half sighed. "But
know you'll like him, Nat, " she added
"he looks naughty, but he isn't, really,
"Pd like him for your sake, missy,
said Poynter. rs Mr.. Arnold well
Miss EricaY"
The girl started and flushed sudden
over cheek and brow.
Nat noticed this; he was sharp ant
shrewd, and not many things escape'
him. 1t seemed an effort for Erica t.
answer him.
YES" she said, "he is well. He /
away abroad you know"
She stopped a moment, and then said
looking up steadily into Mats roug
face:
NAT, | think you would do somethin
for me; yes, | know you would" Then
hnrriaIIv a Q ba utnc ahnut tn raply, ~