The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-03-18

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and not only one kiss, but perfect
shower Of them, fell eagerly upon her
brow and cheek and dewy, blushing
lips.
But suddenly there was little shrek,
startled, well feigned look of horror
in the girls uplifted face and, breaking
away from his restraining arms, she
hid her crimson cheeks in both white
hands, and faltered out;
"Oh, let me 60, sir this instant! Oh,
what shall doP II thought it was
papa
So she did, the little fraud, but she
knew perfectly well that it was another
girls "papa" whom she meant.
ut is who should beg your pardon,
man, who had stepped back, and was
surveying the lovely, shrinking little
creature with a queer admixture Of
amusement, embarrassment, and pity
ing admiration In his beautiful eyes.
But ere the words had fairly left his
lips Minnie was gone, and, throwing
herself down upon the bed In her little
room, she buried her hot cheeks among
the cool, white pillows, and gave way to
passionate burst Of tears.
II never will do such wild, idiotic
trick again-never ] don't care how
much the girls will laugh at me for
backing out Oh, | could just die of
modification! shall never never
have the courage to look him in the
face again"
1t was, indeed, several days before
Minnie was herself again. In the
meantime Miss Claiborne had come and
gone, and Minnie, watching from her
window, had seen the pretty, stylish
young lady promenading in the grounds
upon the arm OF her handsome father,
and she had no doubt that he was even
then laughing at the story Of her own
foolish cscapade.
When al last the unavoidable meet
ing between Mr.. Claiborne and herself
took place, Minnie's saucy eyes were
timidly downcast, and guilty color
dyed her fairface from forehead to chin.
To save her life, she could not meet
those dazzling dark eyes which she felt
were reading her very soul and laugh
ing at her confusion.
But, on the contrary, Mr. Claiborne
tried 80 kindly TO make her forget it,
and led the conversation so skillfully,in
his own easy, gentlemanly way, from
one subject to another Of deep interest
TO Minnie, that, before the evening was
over, she could look up into his face
and smile almost as naturally as though
that miserable, madcap adventure had
never been. And in week or two
they were the best of friends.
Miss Minnie, said be one evening,
the very last before the breaking up Of
summer boarders "do you remember
our singular introduction to each other
in this very room?"
Did she remember? Minnie glanced
around, and the parlor, in its dusky
solitude, with the breath Of late roses
and scarlet honey-suckles waited gently
I in through its open windows, brought
back most wildly that other evening,
and those warm, delicious, stolen kisses
whose memory had made her life half
paradise, half purgatory, ever since.
They CHANGED to be alone, and Minnie
felt painfully embarrassed. Her elo-
quent bushes were her only answer.
Come, Minnie, tell me, he went on
his beautiful eyes brimful of mischief as
a school-boy's, ''were you really ex-
pecting to meet your father on that
eventful EVENING""
"Oh, Mr.. Claiborne, DON'T please
don't!' And bright, saucy, daring
Minnie Moore, unable to bear another
word or look, crossed her arms upon
the low window-sill, and bowling her
bright head upon them, wept as if her
heart would break. Oh, what a bitter
sweet memory those kisses in the twi-
light had proved TO her!
Mr.. Claiborne was grieved and shock
ed at the startling effect of his playful
question Minnie was always so gay,
so full of mischief, he had never dream
ed of her taking anything so seriously.
But now her brayado was utterly brok-
en- down, and she sobbed ont the whole
story of her foolish joke, and begged
his forgiveness like naughty child.
my dear child" he said, at last,
stroking her golden hair so tenderly
that Minnie thought she would like to
sit there forever, Il have nothing to for
give. l suspected the truth long ago,
for have a mischief-oving little girl
of my own, you know, But, indeed,
Minnie, with one of his rare, beauti-
full smiles, sit was the very sweetest
moment | have known for years. If |
were not so old
His voice ceased here, and he was
silent so long that Minnie looked up
and saw an expression Of such yearning
sadness on his dark, handsome face that
it touched her heart with pity.
"Oh, Mr.. Claiborne, you are not so
old" she cried, impulsively. mo one
could think so; am sure never did,
Then down went her golden head
upon the window-sill again, for her
words had brought a sudden light into
Mr.. Claiborne's eyes that fairly dazzled
her.
"Minnie- Minnie Moore" he was
saying, passionately, "don't trife with
me now. Is 1t possible that am not
400 old to win the love Of bright young
girl-to win yours, Minniep"
| There was no very audible answer,
but once more his strong arms were
around her, and his warm. thrilling
kisses crimsoning her cheeks again in
the deepening twilight, but this time
| there was no mistake about H.