The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-10-14


wanting in ballast. Did you ask me if
! met StodgerS the other day, Sir Steph-
enY u S, and he was as obstinate AZ
ever
The conversation then drfted to
parish matters, and soon after the ladies
left the table
In the evening Bertha enjoyed long
talk about old times with Lady Lang
ley, and then sung ballad after ballad to
please her Old friend, Sir Stephen. Her
voice was a sweet me22o-sopran0, not
very powerful, but she sung with taste
and feeling,
Lena would not sing; she was tired,
She sad. She sat down to game of
chess with the Rector, but scarcely
cared to conceal that she found it dull.
IF this is TO be the usual round,
shall be sorry we came said Lena,
when she and Bertha went to their
rooms at night, Two pleasant rooms
they We're, with windows looking on TO
the garden behind. and 4 door com
munlcating, This they left open.
"Oh, Lena, ! think it's delightful.N
said Bertha. But III tell You some
thing. Lord Alphington and n lot Of
people are coming to dine on Tuesday,
and then YOU will have an opportunity
of trying your powers of fascination"
ION old Lord Alphngton. Thanks"
returned Lena 81 should as soon
think Of trying them upon that young
Ilolcroft.n
mo, You mustn't do that. | can't
spare him; he's nice little fellow, and
| ilatter myself that completed my
conquest on singing 'Black-Eyed SUI
san, y Bertha observed, laughing, as
she shook down her hair.
"llow you could think of singing
that ridiculous old song passes my UNI
derStandng,' said Lena.
"Slr Stephen asked for il, and il was
a fayorite of papa's, - explained Bertha.
She hummed softly 10 herself as she
continued her preparations for the
night. She felt happier than she could
quite account for to herself, notwith-
standing the meeting with kind old
friends, and the prospect of nearly
week of freedom in the country,
1t was the custom in the village to
ring the church bells for half an hour
at eight o'clock on Sunday morning, to
call the good people from their beds.
AS Bertha threw open her window the
sound of the chimes, softened by dis
lance, and rising and falling on the
breeze, fell pleasantly on her ear. Ber-
tina was already dressed, She leaned
from the window little while, enjoy
ing the morning air; and then she
reused Lena.
Get up Lena; make haste" she said.
ut is such a lovely day
II wonder whether there will be any
thing worth getting up for, remarked
Lena, with yawn, Don't 20 away,
Bertha; shall never be ready unless
you help me-
Bertha good,naturedly remained,
though she would gladly have gone into
the garden. and the two sisters descend
ed TO the hreakfast-rOOm together in
time for family prayers.
The party walked 10 church. Sir
Stephen never allowed the carriage to
be taken ont on Sunday, except in
case Of absolute necessity. The short
est way led through a wood, forming
part of Alphingtou Park, where foot
path ran, communicating with the high
road on either side by a Stile. In going,
Sir Stephen drew Bertha's arm within
his, and walked off with her, the Others
following.
Il want to speak to You, little Ber-
tina ' he said II want You to tell me,
frankly, and openly, what you are do
lnI
Bertha had no motive for conceal
ment, SO she described 10 her kind old
friend their mode Of life at home.
"IlUmph.' y said Sir stephen. II don't
like it, There ought to be enough with
out Your giving lessons, and with work
enough about the house, III warrant.
You're doing TOO much. | cannot allow
it, cannot let yoa lose your gay spir-
lis and your doom
Tie tears sprung to Bertha's eyes at
the kindness Of the old mans tone. She
va, easily moved by any manifestation
OF affection
Indeed, su stephen, " she began, but
he interrupted her.
Now listen to what say" he went
on, II may speak as one having au-
thority, being your godpapa, and your
oldest friend, Lady langley and |
have been talking things over. We
have no children Of orr own. and we
want YOU to come and be daughter to
us, That is. if you think yoH could be
happy with two such old folk
Happy, On. yes, am sure / could
be happy,' Bertha replied. How good
you and Lady Langley are to think Of
me in that way, Thank you Thousand
times. but | could not leave mamma
and Lena
Il don't quite see the force Of that
objection, said Sir stephen. But I'll
| tell you what | know you couldn't
give up your pupils at moments no.
| tce-uo Sinking duty for You or me,
Bertha, ell? But Mrs. Dalton and you
! girls must come down in the autumn
for long visit. and then we'll talk ii
over, Not another word now, =" he add
ed. as Bertha was about to speak; and
! indeed there was no time for further
discussion, as they had already reached
the churchyard gate,
The road they had come out upon, af-
ter crossing the sjile from the wood.
was little more than a lane, bOrdered on
one side by The park fence, and on the
OTHER by a high hedge and a row OF
elms, From amidst the foliage there
peeprd here and there the chimncys VI
snug farmhouse. or the tiled roof of
cottage. The lane had been made to
cut of the summit of a hill. and the
church stood upon an eminenCe. reach
Ell by weathcr-Won steps. An ancient
yeW shaded the ivy-Coverod porch OF
gray rubble, and from this elevation a
long stretch Of corn, fallow, and pasture
fields spread itself out before the eve
with lnterseCting hedgprOws, diversity