The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-09-29
A LITTLE COWARD.

nominious safety, while Agatha Meri-
vale mounted Stella and rode off tri-
umphantly down the avenue.
She was a coward. She did not deny
it, and was sometimes very much
ashamed of it. But no one had seemed
to mind it, until Agatha Merivale came,
with her bold, dark eyes and her dash
ing ways, her riding, and hunting; and
everybody admired Agatha SO much,
even Sir Robert!
She almost hated Agatha! You see,
until Agatha came they had been so
happy at De Rossett Little orphan
Madeline Leigh had never been so hap
py in her life as here at the hall with
sweet Lady de Rossett, who was her
guardian. and her son, Sir Robert.
They were so kind and good to her.
They peited her and loved her so. And
now Agatha had come, and for two
weeks had monopoized Sir Robert and
kept the house in a turmoil Of gayety,
and laughed at Lima, and made her life
wretched.
Linas maid reported that everybody
said Sir Robert was TO marry Miss Meri-
vale Lima made a stern resolve that
she would run away from the hall
when that event took place. Run
away! She would run away now, Not
far though she was too much OF a
coward TO venture far into the world
alone; but she would go away across
the fields to "Aunt Margarots' as
she called Lady de Ro,sett's widowed
sister-n-law, who lived in a quiet, com
Portable house q mile away from fhe
hall.
Mrs Harrington was an invalid par
alyzed, and confined to her bed She
was rather grim old lady, and most
were inclined TO shun her; but sweet,
bright little Lima had won her way into
the old lady's heart, and was always
welcome at the lodge
Yes, she would run away TO Aunt
Margaret's, and perhaps when she was
missed, Sir Robert might feel mo-
ment's uneasiness about her. Selling
her hat and light shawl, she few of
across the park, calling Leo, Sir Rob
ert's pretty colIey, to gowith her Lima
did not like to cross the field alone.
being possessed by II great terror Of
bulls; but with Leo she would not mind
it much.
Leo was calmly taking nap on the
front portico, but he started up and
raced after her with a joyous bark, But
at the little gate that led from the park
into the fields, Lima was greatly discon-
certed by an unexpected encounter
with Sir Robert and Miss Mcriyale, who
came laughing and talking along the
path, both looking bright and hand
some in the golden rays of the setting
sun.
She brushed past them with a hasty
"Good evening but Sir Robert turned
back to speak to her.
Where are you going, Lima" he
asked.
ITO Aunt Margarets, she answered,
not looking at him.
"Alone, Lima? Are you not afraid?
II YOU will wait little while | will 60
with you" Sir Robert said, looking
down kindly at the girls flushed cheeks
and averted eyes
"No, thanks" Lima answered, hasti.
ly. 81 will not trouble YOU. Leo viii
take care of me, And you would be
late for dinner if you went with me-"
May | come for you, then, after din
ner?" Sir Robert asked.
Thanks, I'm not coming back.
shall stay all night" was the hurried
answer, and Lima turned to 90.
But Sir Robert detained her for mo-
ment
Lima" he said, in low tone, "wha
makes you avoid me so, latelyP Wha
have | done to offend your"
Lima raised her blue eyes hastily tC
his, for one moment, and then dropped
them again.
II have not avoided YOU" she said
coldly. you have been very much oc
cupied with--other people There,
will not detain YOU"
She waved her little hand haughtily
and walked away from him, He
watched the pretty, white-robed figure
for moment, and then Leo came anC
fawned on him.
Leo, Loop called Lina's voice.
$50, Leo" said his master, and the
obedient dog trotted off down the patti
after the girl.
1t was rather dreary at the dodge
that evening. Mrs. Harrington was on
of humor, because her agent had failec
to call that day to receive Gl,00O thai
she wished him to deposit for her, AnC
Parkins, her nurse and honSo.maid, lie
the maid-servants all 60 of to n fair il
the village, where they will certainl,
get into mischief" Mrs. Harrington
said.
But when Lima had talked to her an'
made her laugh little, she forgot he
grievances, and chatlcd away yer,
pleasantly. at 10 o'clock she declare,
She had laughed till she was tired, an,
Lima must give her her drops and lie
her 90 to sleep.
"There, the spoon is gone Wher
can Parkins have put i'll Child, woulc
you mind running down into the pantr,
and bringing me spoonP | wonl'
ring for Parkins, but she told me sh
wanted to get up some muslns thl
evening, and would come up as soon n
she had finished"
Lima did not altogether like to pas
down the long stair and silent entire
leading to the pantry, but she went AM
Leo trotted after her. As she stood il
the pantry, looking round for spoon
with no light but Q faint CLEAN from tn