The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-12-16
BERTHA LTOtiS TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING.
CHAPTER XXI.

st. Lawrence sat at his easel. The
"Clearing in an American Forest had
not progressed very rapidly OF late,
though the artist confined himself to
the studio more closely than had been
his habit during the summer months.
Sometimes, holding the brush liStlesSly
in his hand. he gave himself MP to
reverie; and then. endeavoring to rouse
himself, he painted vigorously for a
while; but what he did too frequently
failed To please him, and he would dash
out his whole mornings work with Q
sort of contempt for his own inef-
fciency.
It's no good; believe I am losing
my powers,n he said, after vain at
tempt TO bring out a piece Of fore
ground to his mind. II must 90 away.
I must get out of this altogether. II
anything is discovered, l shall hear Of
tie IB3q#t deRdr knAB that iatJJ j. Bp ouch to
lingering near her, when knew that
Douglas loved her, Oh, Bertha, my
love, my darling No other woman in
the world can ever be to me what you
have been-can ! ever bear to see your
sweet eyes rest lovingly upon another,
" hear your dear voice calling another
BIZ the name of husband? OF, I am a
FOOL trusted in my own strength,
and am weak as water. Unjust never
see her again; and yet what blank the
world viii be to me without her"
With a groan-like sigh he threw his
arm over the back Of the chair on which
he sat, leaning his head down upon it.
His was not the nature 10 love lightly;
nor had his love sprung up like q flower
to wither down In night 1t had be-
gun by esteem and regard, and had
taken full possession Of his heart be-
fore he had himself been aware. Never
for moment, however, had he ever
dreamed Of entering the lists with his
friend. Douglas had confded to him,
and sooner would he have allowed his
heart 10 be torn from his bosom than
have turned traitor, and have sought
to win the prize for which Douglas was
struggling.
He had felt forlorn on first coming to
London, as well as aggrieved and dis
heartened, and Douglas had given him
his friendship, believing and trust
ing him in perfect faith. st. Lawrence
was not the man to disappoint that
faith. He might suffer-for with his
strong feelings he had great capacity
for suffering-but he would never stoop
to dish0nor in word or deed.
After while he rose. and laid aside
his palette and mahl-stick. He deter
mined to hire horse, and take long
country ride-to try what rapid move
ment and change of scene would do to
Danish vain longings and regrets. He
had just changed his coat, when a
knock was heard at the door, and Doug
las entered The latter threw his hat
on the table, and himself into an easy
chair, without speaking; he looked pale
and heavy-eyed. as if he had not slept.
why, Douglas, man, what is the
matter?" asked st. Lawrence, as he no.
ticed his friends subdued saddened
cOuntenance.
Matter" repeated Douglas. 1.-THE
matter just is that | have been making
fool of myself"
How so, my dear fellow? What
have you, been doingp" inquired st.
Lawrence.
II have been a perfect idiot to think
that Bertha Dalton could ever care for
fellow like me- Douglas replied. II
popped the question yesterday, and re-
celved very gentle-IIeaven bless her!
but point-blank refusal. Now you
know what's the matter; and I'm of to
Rome, or the top of Mont Blanc, OF
over the dark blue waters or some
where, till l can come back sane man. y
she refused you" cried st. Law.
| renee.
This termination to his friends WOO.
ing had never even occurred to him. A
thrill of JOY darted through his frame
Suddenly the cloud that had overshad
owed him was lifted away. Yet he fel,
Indignant with himself for his gladness
do you think she was in earnest
Douglas?" he asked, as soon as ht
could trust himself to speak. ~
in sober earnest. She left me M
room for mistake Oh that point" said
Douglas. at Is an uncommon thins
for me to be of my sleep, he resumed
after pause, during which each wa,
too much occupied with a tumult o.
thought and feeling to speak: but las
night ! scarcely closed my eyes, and
! tllnk see some things l never saw be