The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-12-02
The Daily Bulletin.
BERTHA OALT0k'S TRIUMPH,
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING.

He moved his seat close to Lena's;
her heart began to turn sick within her,
but she made no sigI-she merely re-
marked on the beauty of the day. Fan
court drew morocco case from MS
pocket. and edging his chair nearer I'll
1t touched hers, he opened the case and
laid the contents before her.
"Oh, how beautiful she exclaimed,
as she saw splendid dianiond-and-em'
erald bracelet displayed.
'Do YOU admire it?n Fancourt asked,
fixing his bold eyes upon her, and bend.
ing till she felt his hot breath on her
cheek. ut is for my future wife,
Lena shrank back III spite OF herself;
but she made up her mind and stided
her repugnanCe.
Your future wife, she exclaimed,
with a pretty pretense of surprise
"Oh, Nj. Fancourt, how sly OF you TO
keep such secret all this time, Who
is the lady. if may ask
do YOU not know, MadeliuaP' in-
quired Fancourt, still keeping the same
position, ,,,
Il? How should | possibly know,
she answered, with bew'itching air OF
coynesS.
1T is you. Lena" said Fancourt,
seizing one of her hands aud carrying
it to his lips.
Lena tremhlcd There was vet time
to draw back. The case with its glitter.
ing treasure lay ON her knee; should she
tell him to take it away--that she would
have none of it, Fancnllrt saw the
hesitation; he felt the hand he held half
xrifhR -ayp,, hlrt ola SnnI II riOSplN.
Lena" he said, II love You passion
ately. desperately. You must have
known il. You may make of me what
you will, but, by Heaven. l will never
give you up.
His face glowed, his voice became al.
most hoarse with concentrated passion;
he felt at that moment capable Of kill.
ing her, rather than that she should
ever belong to another
What would Won have that cannot
give you:n he continued, speaking thick
and fast Wealth: Everything that
you can desire shall be poured out at
your feet. Rank You shall queen it
with the highest in the land-more
beautiful than them all. .r
Again he attempted to draw her to-
ward him. and this time she did not re-
sist. though still her heart sank within
her. Until quite lately she had never
thought of love in her visions of the fu-
ture, never longed for it; why should
she feel pang of regret that she was
shutting herself out from it TOR every
Ii was only fair exchange that this
man wanted. a bargan-she giving her
beauty, he riches and position. AS he
felt her Weld, he looked at her exulting-
IL, and then, throwing his arms round
her, he kissed her passionately, almost
fercely "a her cheeks, her eyes, her
lips. She. pale, and cold as ice, yielded
for a moment 10 his embrace, ana then
shudderinglv strove TO eXtricate her
self. Her lips quivered: she covered
her face with her hands.
You are too rough, and too bold"
she said.
Then let Inc make atonement." he
requested, as he stopped for the brace.
let that had slipped from her knee
Let me clasp this on that lovely arm;
'pon my honor, | had no intention 10
offend. You don t mean to say fellow
isn't to take a kiss from the girl he
loves? And | do love you, Lena-by
Jove, do" AS he spoke be dropped
on one knee, and, drawing down her
hand, clasped the splendid bracelet
round her arm. Now, hold you
mine" he cried, his eyes all afame--
mine, whatever comesy"
Again Lena shivered as II q cold
spirit breath had touched her. Was 1t
a warningy If so, 1t passed UNDECIDED.
Yes" she responded family, her
pulses seeming to stand still.
He would have clasped her again, but
she sprung from her seat; she could
bear no more. Her cheeks flushed
scarlet. . -,
Il wish you would GO she cried;
"you have agitated me- would rather
be alone"
So exclaimed Fancourt, now that
you have said the word? You are
enough to drive a fellow distracted
'pon my honor, you are"
"Oh, nonsense." Lena reioined petu.
lantly, why am l driving YOU dis.
tracted? am not quite wel1-my head
aches don't you see that | am not
WHIP" ... ..-
mo, | see nothing but that you are
the most beautiful OF women; and you
are nine" said Fancourt, as II to as
sure himself Of the fact.
| Is, LtIld duInltltu, O1tCc u1Oic,
sinking into her seat again, and passing
her hand across her brow; '.and now
| go-you prosecute me. ......-,.. d..
| Fancourt's brow knitted; an evil look
came into his eyes. He knew that this
woman who had promised to be his did
| not love him: but he would have her
nevertheless. No thought Of giving
| her up crossed his mind.
You speak strangely, fair Lena, " he
said, bitterly, resuming his seat by her
side, and placing his arm round her
waist. ITS queer way to treat
fellow you have just accepted; by Jove,
Lena's breast heaved; she could
scarcely keep from hysterical crying.
II really am not WE'LL" she said; 1t
will be different tomorrow .l-4.. b.
do you then want me to leave your
| Must | not see you till tomorrow"
asked Fancourt, somewhat appeased. q
1T is a long Punishment truly 10.
piled Lena, forcing a smile. a. -
| You are cruel" Fancourt rejoined.
VI scarcely understand you; pom my
honor, that Is fact"
1t isnot difficult to understand that
want time to think" said Lena, moro
gently. ~
ITO think of what?" Fancourt asked.
ut is too late to think Of drawing back,
II that's what you want to think about,
You have given your word; You need