The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-07-29

to gather some large bronze-hued leaves
with which to surround her flowers, her
dog trotting by her side,
As she stopped to gather them, a low
growl, and then a bark of welcome.
caused her to raise her head, and she
stepped quickly back upon perceiving
Herbert Archer within two PAGES Of her.
"Mr. Archer" she calculated.
"My presence, | perceive, is as dis
tasteful as unwelcome, y he said sadly.
almost humbly. III knew it would be
thus. Yet | could not help but come.
Florence, have been waiting this OPP
portunity to speak to you, to crave
your pardon-for-for = my words of
yesterday
Indeed, Mr., Archer, they hardly
merit it, she responded coldly.
IL know it. | know not what pos
sessed me. was mad-mad with love, -
he calculated. mo, no, do not fear;
no longer urge that; | am aware of my
fate, and accept it. There is another
more fortunate than I--ano:her to whom
! must give place--another, who is to
receive your smiles, your caresses,
while have but your cold frowns. Oh,
did you but know the wretched night
have passed, " he proceeded passionate
ly, from the remembrance of the last
look you gave me, from the knowledge
that had offended you-you whom | so
love--yOu would pity me. cannot bear
it; such another night would kill me.
Florence, am here to pray. to humbly
entreat pardon. Do not refuse"
He had flung himself at her feet, and
now timidly-as ii seemed, reverentially
-clasped her dress.
Flo was startled, but more so at the
change in him. lie was wan and bag
gard. She could well believe in that
sleepless night, and she did feel pity.
MIR. Archer" she rejoined, as stead
lily as she could, you had no right to
address me as you did yesterday;
that for space you had lost all self
control must be your excuse. Your
repentance wins my compassion, though
felt could never feel kindly towards
you again"
"0A, Fiorence!" and he bowed his
head on her dress.
'If, indeed, you wish my pardon,
give it sincerely"
You forgive!" he cried, looking up.
'On, flOrenCe-dllgell"
Only" she proceeded, drawing lit
tie back, ION condition that you never
address a syllable of love to me again"
Your will shall be my law" he an
swered, "only do not Danish me. We
were friends-I hoped to be more; do
not punish my presumption by making
me less. Forget the words l spoke yes
terday."
Most willingly ," she responded with
a sense of relief. Now, rise, Mr..
Archer; this is no position for you"
"One instant" he pleaded. Tell me
this. Have to entreat the pardon of
others?-your uncle's, your aunt's?-
How have they regarded me2"
AT present have failed to find an
opportunity Of acquainting them with
what occurred" she replied,
They know nothingp" lie repeated,
quickly.
Nothing as yet"
"Florence-I should say Miss Grain
ger, dare | ask for more than pardon
for silence? You cannot appreciate
the humiliation man experiences who
loves, and is pointed at as-rejected.
You have pitied mel have read that
in your eyes, too pure for cOncealment;
you have promised to forget; in mercy
to me, and the suffering it would give
me, will you keep the utterance of my
love secret between us two?"
Again l answer, most willingly" re-
| piled Flo, greater gentleness in her
manner, for she was touched by the
earnestness of his manner, and the evil
dent pain he was undergoing Mr..
| Archer, if the secret be between us two.
the more easy will it be to forget. Let
us say no more about it; but, if you
will, let us continue friends"
With that impulse felt by all gener-
Gus natures, Flo extended her hand. He
took it, and held it with almost a nerv-
Gus reverence.
You are too good for me, far too
good; but you are an angel, Ia man, "
he said las a sign that the past is
dead, that henceforth we are friends
only friends-may kiss your hand?"
Before she could reply, he had pressed
his lips on the slender fingers; then he
released them.
you have made me comparatively
happy man, Miss Granger, he re-
marked, II will no longer detain you"
WIN you not come and see uncle?"
she inquired at loss what to say.
Not now, please, not now" he re-
joined, with a waving motion Of the
hand. "Good-day.N
Glad to be free, Flo made a similar
response, and passed him where he yet
knelt, Before quitting the trees she
looked back Herbert Archer was
prone on the grass, his hands clutching
1t spasm0diCally, and his frame CULVER
ing with emotion.
Poor, poor fellow.n thought the girl
as she hurried on, tears of pity in her
eyes.
She would have recalled her sympa-
thy had she seen Herbert Archer as he
rose up few moments later. Wan
and haggard yet, for he was in the field
of the fierce war of jealousy, but his
features wore smile of triumph and
satisfaction.
When matters go so easily, it would
be ungratetul to dream of failure he
reflected, as he quilted the spot. II
have conquered her fears, have won
her compassion; and, equally good, her
silence, | can now visit Shady Greek
as usual, and when am not on watch,
Mat will N. must learn more of this
Philip enthusiastically heis here, what
he intends to do before can form my
plans, which feel already success will
crown
Reaching the clump Of trees where
his horse was fastened, and which com
manded Shady Creek Station, he looked