The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-09-20

bow under her chin. She stood quite
still during this performance, the
1dimplc appearing in her cheek but hel
eyes demure and downcast
Then | opened the gate ana VIC
passed out into path leading through
the orchard TO "A pretty rustic bridge
spanning the river
The day was dying, but dying in re
nal splendor over a land radiant witt
summer beauty May leaned on the
ratings of the bridge and gazed witt
rapt ewes down the river, that reflected
faithfully the sunsets hues, until, a
the horizon, il seemed to be lost in the
crimson glory. And well, there is 6
time in every mans life when he ap
preciates one fair face more than all the
loneliness Of Nature, so | contentec
myself with studying the delicate pro
file beside me.
At last, as the clouds lost their vivit
tint, she turned toward me with littl,
sigh.
1T is over,' she said softly. 'Le
us 90 back to the house.
"Not yeti" | exclaimed, catching he'
hand, my voice trembling. II brough
you here to tell you something. May
darling love you DO you think yoI
could ever care for meP'
For one brief instant her eyes me
mine, and my heart thrilled, for
thought the light in them was love
Then the lashes dropped on her cheeks
and sne turned her head shyly away
| was waiting breathlessly for he
answer, when n figure emerged from
the orchard path, and Mat, the. hired
boy, ran toward us dropped, Mays
hand, and impatiently demanded his
errand.
please, Mr.. Hathaway, you're to
come to the house right away. There S
telegram there for you"
With an expression of disgust at this
inopportune intrusion, drew Mays
hand within my arm, and followed the
boy to the house. Upon reading the
telegram, found that my immediate
presence was required in the city to at
tend to some important business af-
fairs.
The next train left Overton in half
an hours time, and had only time to
make some hurried preparations. |
did not get chance to say word to
May in private, and SO left for the city
with my question unanswered; but this
did not trouble me, for | thought that |
knew what the answer might be-
After week later | returned. TWAS
dusk as walked up the road, and by
the dim light I could descry white
figure at the garden gate. | hurried
gladly towards it, for it was May.
caught her two little hands eagerly
in my own, and scanned her features as
well as | could by the faint light
Ii seemed TO me that she had changed
during my absence; she looked very
pale, and there were heavy shadows
under her eyes.
"Have you been i'll, dearp" asked
anxiously
She struggled to get her hands away,
and her voice sounded strangely cold
mo; I am quite well, Mr. Hatha-
way"
"Mr. Hathaway | exclaimed re-
proachfully. Then | bent toward her,
and tried to put an arm around her
waist. Are you ready to answer me
nowP" said. "Do you love me, May?
VIII you be my wife?'
She shook herself free and faced me
with low scornful laugh,
Eyes; ! am quite ready to answer
you. | do not love you; | never
dreamed Of such thing, will not be
your wife"
staggered back and stared at her
incredulously. 1t was cruel shock,
for had been confident that her
answer would be yes All this sum-
mer had been trying to win her, and
she had certainly encouraged me-for
this! A sudden furious anger filled me,
and accused her of deceit-heartless
coquetry. She answered my hot words
with little taunting laugh.
1T is the old story reversed, " she
said. Instead of handsome gentle
man from the city spending n summer
in the country, and amusing himself
with country girl country girl has
amused herself for whole summer
with a city gentleman.
Then she turned and went into the
house, -r.rata.., ....
And the next day | went back to the
city n changed man, Tho thought that
May, whom had decpod so sweet and
womanly, could be capable of the part
she had played, ranked in my mind,
and resolved to forget her. So time
passed on.
Brian, have engaged a governess
for Nellie. Such a pretty, dainty little
creature-I like her immensely She
has delicious voice, and I'm going to
send for her and ask her to sing for
you"
was lying back lazily on comfort
able lounge in my slster-in-law's pref
ty parlor, pulling away at a cigar. |
had come only that afternoon to pay
my brother long promised visit, but |
found, to my chagrin, that he was away
attending to some business, and things
promised to be rather dull for me,
In answer to her words, said care
lessly;
"All right, sis. A little music
wouldn't 90 badly just now. think it
would suit my mood admirably
She touched bell, and directed tho
servant who answered it to request the
new governcss to come to the parlor,
In few minutes light tap sounded