The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-05-31
s0PHIE'S sTRATAGEM.

ueclueu HpOu-uOU ucuIlWHolc " pAo-
test, even had | been allowed any voice
in the matter that was to decide my woe
or happiness for life; and so it came
about in the most natural way in the
world that, before was eighteen, l had
been pursuaded by my family to engage
myself to my cousin Robert. His moth
err, indeed considered me rs by no means
good enough for her son; but she was
accustomed to defer to her brother,
Uncle Marcus with whom | happened TO
be a great favorite, and who had set his
heart upon the match, declaring that |
would make Just the right kind of wife
for his rather peculiar nephew.
Robert himself on his uncle's propos-
ing the match, had yielded an indifferent
assent, observing that / was pretty
enough, and that he was glad TO be
spared the trouble of looking for wife.
He was good-looking and gentleman
". but sickly, delicate almost as a girl.
and to my idea wholly uninteresting.
Still, | had not, at this early age, strength
of mind sufficient to resist the united
persuasions of my family; and the mar
riage was arranged to take place in
about two years, during which time Rob
ert would, by his physicians advice, re-
side chiefly in the South of France, where
his mother accompanied him.
Unfortunately for my own happiness,
/ during this time became acquainted
with Philip Waring, whom Isoon uncon-
sciously learned to look up to and adj
mire as the perfection of all manly ex-
cellence.
And now the two years Of Robert 5 alb
scnce were completed, and he wrote that
he was about returning home to claim
his bride. But, he added his phys.
ician having recommended his spending
the winter in Italy, he proposed to take
me thither Immediately after the mar.
riage. He hoped there would be no I'M
necessary delay or preparation, and
would prefer having the wedding as
private as possible. --sS-
This last clause was a great disap.
pointment to my mothers sister, Aunt
Forester, who had arranged to have the
wedding from her own handsome resi-
dence in London.
However, should at least have a sty-
lish trouSseau; and so she took the
trouble of coming all the way to our lit
tie country town, and carrying me home
with her, in order to make the neces-
sary preparations.
As, on our arrival at my aunt's resi-
dence we entered the hall, her two little
daughters came joyfully rushing to meet
us.
"Here, Christine" she said, turning
to me "here are my darlings. Have
they not grownp And this is their gov
erness, Miss Dane
turned, and l saw young girl stand
ing quietly at the foot of the staircase,
looking on with smile at the scene.
She was so exceedingly pretty, with
her delicate, regular features and gold
en- hair, and exquisite complexion, that
/ was quite taken by surprise,
"What remarkable pretty governess
you have, Aunt Lottie!" | observed,
when, an hour after, stood at her dress
ing-room window, looking into the
garden, where the children were at play,
while Miss Dane, with bit of crochet
work in her hands, walked slowly up
and down; land how graceful and lady
like she is!'
Yes" my aunt replied with smile;
land do you know; Christine, we think
her wonderfully like yourself? Not only
has she the same colored hair and eyes,
but her features and something in her
ways and expression, remind us of you.
i have but one fault to find with her, "
added my aunt-"she is too reserved.
Despite her pleasant manner, and way
OF talking, have always an uncomfort-
able feeling that / don't know her"
How stylish she looks, despite heI
plain dress.
"Yes, indeed. II that girl were rich.
ly and becomingly dressed, she would
be handsomer than you Christie"
Here the subject dropped, and busily
engaged rs was in my bridal prepare.
tions, at first saw but little Of Sophie
Dane. But one day, when dress had
come from the modiste which did not ex.
actly please us, the governcss happened
to present, and on being half-careless.
ly appealed to, at once pointed out the
defect and how to remedy it.
Thereupon it wac discovered that sh,
possessed an exquisite taste in dress an,
millinery.
My aunt was delighted; and thence
forth Miss Dane was constantly called
upon for advice in matters of taste.
Occasionally she was requested to tr,
on some article of dress, hat, or {
mantle, in order that might the better
Judge Of their effect and we could no
but be struck with the extreme becom
ingness Of these things TO her.
She herself was quite aware of this
and more than once saw her cheek nusl
and her eye brighten as she glanced il
the mirror at her own reflection whei
thus arrayed.
Poor girl!' my aunt said. 1T seem
really pity that such attractions shoul
not be set of by the advantages of dress
IN which, after all, | am Inclined u
think half the effect of beauty lies
Despite her humble origin, Sophie Dan
certainly looks born lady"
What sympathy and liking I had fo
Miss Dane--and she was not one VIII
appeared TO care much for either--soo
received severe check, the occasion G
which was as follows:
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