The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-07-22

hers, she felt unable Ito avoid them,
they held her like a SugtL Then as he
abruptly bent his head before her on his
hands, and almost passionately sobbed
forth his prayer for her mercy, hsr lip
trembled, tears swan into her eyes.
DO not speak thusl DO not say
that" she CALCULATED, distressed. ION,
you must not, Mr. Archer, you-you
must not think Of me in that way. On,
! have wished so often to tell Won. but
but ! could not. How could ~
Tell me what, Florence? In the
name of Heaven, what?n he cried,
abruptly catching her hand. "You
knew my love you saw how worship
ped yQu;n ~
II feared So" she whispered with
averted face.
"Feared,'
"Because ! could not return it."
mo, no, no. he broke in, mot that.
Or feared you could not? Surely. Flor
ence, such passion as mine must win
response, Listen, dearest. You are to
me all in all. My dreams are peopled
with your sweet presence. Ny waking
thoughts have you ever before them,
worship you. BE mine, Florence. and
my love shall never have been equalled
My one idea, my one effort, shall be TO
assure your happiness. Not a wish but
| will try to crafty 1t. Do with me
what you will. Give me but half a love;
take me as am, Florence; only give
me the right to lie at your feet, to tonch
your hand, 10 press your lip, your slave
but yet your husband. Give me at
least hope that in time this may be-"
'Oh, pray, pray cease, implored Flo
piteously, who had become merry, sly
aware that jock was not in sight, MI
Archer, you should not speak ike that,
1t Is not like a man-you-you brighten
me. y
Not like a man to loyeY To love to
your own sacrifice, to feel even the
scorn and frown of one woman are bet
ter than the most honeyed smiles of all
the rest? Oh. Florence, you cannot say
no to such an affection. If YOU have
the heart of woman it must move
you"
1T does, deeply, ar, Archer she re-
joined, trying TO steady her agltated
voice. "The more so that | cannot re-
quite it. Oh, do not ask for hope. 1t
would be wrong, cruel, to let You have
that belief. respect you'll like you
much-but-but no more
He drew slightly back. 4 strange
whiteneSS was on his face, his lips were
set his dark eyes Were full of fire as he
looked upon the young girl, her head
dropped averted. Then he leaned near,
his tones husky.
Florence. reflect: YOU know not
what you say, You know not me. You
must, you SHAH be mine. | cannot live
without YOU
Mr., Archer" she calculated, her
pride aroused. Then she covered and
shrunk away as her gaze lighted on his
face
Yes. Florence. mine; You must be
mine. Though you were to hate me, |
must yet love you. | must call you
wife"
She uttered a cry of alarm and moved
her horse. Rapidly his hand was on the
rein.
NO, Florence, dearest Florence. you
must not leave me until you have prom
lSed. Do not fear darling | will not
harm you, but | cannot let you 80 until
| have your promise
Never" exclaimed Flo, her anger
reused. Mr.. Archer, you are cow
ard to speak thus, to threaten me. |
despise you"
AS she spoke, by a quick. sudden
she plucked the bride from
him. The horse reared and swerved
sharply round. A cry of pain burst
from Flo's lips, for her temple had come
IN violent contact with the branch Of a
rec. She swayed in her saddle. then
lropped back, her senses for a moment
eaying her
Herbert Archer had seen the accident
and, with an exclamation Of alarm,
larted forward in time to prevent her
falling. In a space his manner had
changed, Terror, as he gazed on the
pale, lovely face resting on his Shout
Ter, dominated all other feelings.
Florence, my Florence he eX.
claimed, speak, dearest. She has faint
ed, Yes, only that
Lifting her tenderly in his strong
arms, he dismounted and rested her on
the grass, supporting her head on his
arm. Would she not come to2 How
still the air was; if it would but blow
vi llNl ln'Ns IlOh llkuNll lilt
habit gripped the soft, white throat.
In a second his nervous fingers had
united the ribbon, and plucked open the
first buttons Of the habit to admit tho
breeze. That was better, the life was
coming back.
All. what was that?
A slender hair chain fastened about
the throat. They were sacred, beloved
treasures worn like that.
Herbert Archer felt the blood rush
TO his head, then swiftly back to his
heart.
TWAS dishonorable, but that should
not deter him. .,t....
lie threw one hurried glance round;
then drew the hair chain forth. AS he
had guessed, a miniature locket was at
tached
Her fathers likeness. Perhaps her
mothers.
Something whispered TO him 1t was
neither. Eagerly he pressed the spring.
The cover opened, and a deep curse
burst from his lips as he beheld the
young, handsome, manly face that
smiled Ito him it seemed dehantly-out
of the locket.
us this my rival? Is it dead or liv-
ing oney' he muttered. SIS this why
she refused meY If so-better for him
If dead, or better for both if he never
crosses my path"
A movement Of Flo's, who was re.
covering, aroused him.
Closing the !ocket he returned it TO
It's sacred resting-place, buttoned the
throat of the habit, and clumsily enough