The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-11-04
BERTHA DALTON'S TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY Of An OPAL RING.


said Mrs. Dalton-''it would be too
provoking to lose such a chance. He's
scarcely likely to 90 into society much
this season. | should imagine-there
must be great deal to settle. law bust
ness and other things
Bertha took no part in this conversa-
ton; she was amusing herself by max
ing Pinch beg for biscuit. She made
no mention of Sir Stephen Langley's
proposal to adopt her-she had not
spoken of it to Lena. Deeply grateful
as she felt for the affection that prompt
ed the wish. she knew that she would
not be justified in acceding to it, so she
had put it away from her once for all.
She also knew that the bare mention of
such a proposition would bring down
upon her head storm of anger. If Sir
Stephen chose to reopen the subject in
the autumn, he could do so: in the
meantime she would keep silence.
In the course of the evening Bertha
heard the full particulars of the loss of
the ring, and told her mother that Lord
AlphingtOn had determined to set the
police to work to find it.
Then they'll have to take the house
down." said Mrs. Dalton: "for it's my
belief that it has rolled away into some
crevice. Only don't let anybody blame
me, If you had put it in a ring-case
that fitted it better, it couldn't have
fallen out, you know, Bertha"
Bertha made no reply. 1t was not
worth while. She was herself afraid
the ring was long past recovery.
The coifee-tray was removed, the
lamp brought in, and the girls settled
themselves to their home enployments,
finding no lack Of conversation for the
remainder Of the evening.
Saturday was still holiday for Ber-
tina. Her lessons were not to begin till
Monday. The early dinner finished, she
Joined her mother and sister in the
drawing-rOOm. This was not only the
largest, but the pleasantest room in the
house, the bay-window commanding the
garden and the path up to the house
from the gate. Here the inmates of
Ivy Cottage always sat as soon as the
weather in the daytime was warm
enough to do away with the necessity
of having fire.
Lena generally chose the low chair
with its back to the windOw-she was
afraid of too much light causing
freckles. Bertha, with a book, sat at
the side facing the path; Mrs. Dalton
was near her work table, as usual.
A sharp ring at the visitors bell was
heard Lena turned round in some GU
ri0Sity to see who might be coming.
An exclamation of surprise escaped her
as young man made his appearance,
walking slowly up the path, while
Sarah hurried on in advance, a card in
her hand. Lena touched her sisters
arm.
Bertha, do look.r she said.
Bertha bent cautiously forward, fear
full of being seen, and then her eyes
met Lenas. They had both recognized
their visitor. At the same time Sarah
came in, and, crossing the room to
where Lena was sitting, gave her the
card.
"A gentleman to see you, miss" she
said.
Lena took the card: on it were crest
she had lately become familiar with and
the name Mr. Fancourt.n
What an extraordinary thing" she
exclaimed, passing the card to her
mother. ITO see me, did you say,
Sarah?n
Yes, miss; he asked for Miss Dali
ton. and said it was little matter of
business he wished 10 see you upon"
Il know. cried Bertha. Its about
the ring-l'm sure Of it,"
You had better show him in Sarah. -
said Mrs. Dalton, eXcitedly.
DiscompoSed by the mention of the
ring, and vet gratiiied by a call from
Mr.. FanCOurt. in whom she saw the
prospective Earl of Alphington. Sic
rose as Sedley. who had already as
sumed the name of Fancourt. entered,
and returned his salutatiOn with
gracious smile.
You wished to see my daughter |
understand. she said; these are my
daughters-Miss Dalton. Miss Bertha
Dalton. Pray be seated.
II was now FanCOurt ; turn 10 be sur
prised. for, as Lena rose. and the light
fell upon her face, he at once recognized
the beautiful girl he had startled bv his
abrupt appearance in Alphington Park.
! Her face. though 50 casually seen.
had remained in his memory ever since.
me second meeting he put down as all
other instance Of his good fortune.
y considerable alteration had been
hdue both in his attire and demeanor
since mat day, but whether for the bet
Yer Vas doubtful. His clothes were of
the pest and his hair and whiskers
hao Deeh under The hands Of skillful
hair-drrsSer, who had managed to tone
down their redness. But the bright
necktic. the coral studs, the flower in
his button-hole, the trinkets dangling
from his watch-chain, and his lemon,
coored gloves were all ont Of taste and
out Of harmony: Willie the mingled
awkwartlness and swaggcr of his man
ner in bis endeavor to appear at ease in
his new position We're equally obiec-