The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-08-08
expected, that Mr.. Vernon's eyes were
earnestly fixed upon her.


earnestly fixed upon her.
But even rs she glanced shyly back
rom beneath her golden lashes at him,
his face darkened suddenly, and grew
proud and stern.
He turned away with an abrupt
movement, and began to talk to fash
ionabIy attired young lady, with whose
name, for the last year, society had Of
ten linked his own.
Through the outpouring of conrratu-
iations which followed the ceremony,
he bore his part gaily and composedly.
| Only when he found himself beside Mel
lie, he would stillrn into an lev cold
ness, that repealed and defed the least
attempt at enquiry or explanation on
her part,
In such n case, what can woman
do? She can only hold her peace. and
suffer, patiently or impatiently, accord
ing to her nature,
Nellie was patient, but very. very sad.
She saw George Vernon depart without
even attempting to speak to her. Her
heart bled inwardly, but she made no
sign.
Neither then, nor mt any time durinc
the long, weary, miserable year that fol-
lowed after EthelS wedding, did be ex-
plain his conduct which, it seemed to
her,was not only strange, but also insult
ing in the extreme
The time dragged on for Nellie, but
for her three cousins il moved at happv,
golden speed One wedding, it is said.
makes many And certainly Ethers
three pretty bridesmaids were all en-.
gagged within that year.
When Ethel returned, to keep her an
nlversary, preparations for the three
brldals were in progress to her great de-
light.
"And our modest little Nellie here
might haae been the fourth bride, but
for me and that unlucky banner screen
she made me- said Ethel, on the first
evening when George Vernon called.
They were alone in the boudoir with
Nellie, who was writing letter for
Ethel at her request
Nellie started and looked up at her
cousin
Yes, dear, You never will forgive
me, said Mrs. Tracy, holding up a
sealed envelope, II was stupid enough
though it turned out lucky accident
to tear the lining of your banner screen
last week, and in it | found this letter,
addressed to you.'
81 remember" said Nellie, quietly.
Cousin Roberts letter. | never could
ind 1t. was SO hurried at the last. 1T
was on the frame, and must have Slip
ped into the lining as took it off"
Il say nothing rs to the writer OBJ
served Mrs Tracy. MIR Vernon, will
you give this to Nellie, or shall Iqn
He took it from her hand, polite but
puzzled One glance at the unbroken
seal, and then, with flushed face and
hushlng eyes, he sprang to his feet.
"Oh, Nellie! how wretched | have
been this year past, and all for nothing.
| wrote this letter. asked YOU in it to
be my wife If YOU consented, YOU
were to wear a white rose in your hair
that morning. You did not wear it,
thought you scorned my offer"
was that the reason why YOU looked
at me soP--why YOU have been $3.50
unkind all through this wretched year?n
iatered Nellie "But never saw the
letter till now
MY d forgive metz cried
George, claSplng her in his arms. II
had heard that you were fond of your
Cousin Robert, and after that evening |
believed it. How could know that my
letter was stitched up in some piece
Of
Take care! Respect the banner
screen" said Mrs Tracy. laughing
heartily "My poor Nellie! | guessed
all this the moment saw that precious
epistle, and ever since came home
I've been scheming to bring you two
together. with only me to witness your
reconciliation, And now I'll leave you,
happy in my work, An old married
woman like myself is only in her prop
er place when experimenting the ar
for wedding number four
Take my advice, and name the same
day that the girls have chosen, Nellie"
Nellie did take it, and was happy ev-
az alton -"