The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-03-28
THE DAILY BULLETIN.
A VOICE IN THE STORM.

might to give her Rachels beauty had
a wonderful charm of their own, If any
one might chance to find il out. Ana
latterlv. no work had seemed hard to
Grace. for she fancied some one had
found il out.
She could scarcely remember when
she had not cared for Steve Tregaskis3,
but only lately she had learned to blush
at his coming, and to sigh at his fare
we'll For Steve was captain OF boat
of his own, and often was absent Tor
long weeks on some cruise.
He was at home now, and Grace had
hurried through her tasks to-day, for he
had asked her yesterday to meet him on
the cliff this afternoon alone.
Refrcshingly the cool autumn win"
blew upon her flushed cheek. 1t alone
would hear, later, what secret Steve
wished to whisper in her ear Already
he was awaiting her.
You are late, v he said, reproachful-
", when she had come within sound of
his voice
II could not help it, Dick, she an
swered. You knew | wanted to be
here.
"Yes, Grace; you never yet denied
wish of mine," was his reply, land |
hope you'll not dream of denying what
came to ask you to-day, for it the one
wish nearest my heart Sometimes |
have fancied You have guessed ii with
out the telling. Is il sop
Hotter surgcd the crimson tide into
her face at his eager speech, while her
downcast eyes sought the ground.
Maybe I've guessed it Steve" she
said.
AYE, so | thought! land YOU can
understand why wanted to speak first
to YOU, and to ask if you thought there
was any chance for me, I'm so rough,
and strong, and biz, YOU know, Grace,
and she's such frail, beautiful child.
But, oh, Grace, my love would make
me that tender of her Why, Grace,
what's the matter? Have | surprised
you, after ALP
IA little she stammered.
For she knew now that her dream
was dead. II was her sister whom Steve
lovcd-who had taken the brightness
and left her the shadow always. IIth.
erto the division had seemed equal TO
her. Why not now?
you've no need to make me your
inercessor. Steve she said. ANY girl
would be proud to win you.
And so She gave him courage 10 set
forth on his wooing. Her words, too,
held the spirit of prOphesy. Before the
sun set, Dick had won Rachel's promise
to become his wife.
There no better man in these
parts, Rachel sleepily confessed to her
sister, as she laid her beautiful head
that night on her pillow; land sup
pose must be married some day, But
oh, ! hate the thought of living on here
foreverN'
"Rachel,n exclaimed Grace, with a
choking at her throat, don't you love
SteveP'
~ suppose So" was the answer.
I'm sure I'm too sleepy TO discuss the
point.
So Grace learned Der second lesson
on that fateful day, and as the weeks
rolled on, shadow came into Steve's
face--a shadow which deepened into
pain-the pain born of knowledge.
And Grace saw, with growing sadness,
that he was not blind.
SO February came, and Steve again
must say farewell, and now for a longer
time.
II can't get back before April, Rachel
dear" he said, wistfully; "but I'll take
a holiday then. And, Rachel, won't
you let me take ii with my wife? You're
used to sailors way, love, and you won't
mind my leaving you now and then;
but it'll make all the difference in the
world to me. On the darkest night at
sea, shall fancy the lamp burned by
my wife at my own learthstone shines
out, across the blackness, the star TO
guide me home"
"What nonsense!' answered the girl.
"But ] suppose ii might as well be over
one time as another, so I'll try to be
ready by your return
AT that moment Grace, who had been
sitting silently at the further end of the
room, lifted her eyes, and hers and
Stpves met.
What was II passed from each-a
lightning flash into the others soulP II
each read too late the truth-if Grace
was avenged at last, their loyalty would
never give them the sweetness of con-
iession.
The next day Steve sailed but he and
Grace did not meet again. She con
triyed TO be absent when he came to say
goodbye.
So the weeks fitted by, bringing near.
er and nearer the time of Steves return.
There's n heavy storm brewing, y
said the father, one evening in the latter
part Of March. ii would that Steve
were safe in port, y
Grace glanced up, startled, but Rachel
laughed lightly.
He's breasted storms before to-dayl"
she said.
And not even when the tempest, true
10 the old sailors prophecy, burst forth
In all its fury, did she seem 10 fear, oI
weigh her spirit with her lovers safety.
For three days and nights the storm.
king rcigncd, but yet Rachel's cheek
did not pale, and song and laughter
were still upon her1ps.
The third night the storm was ut IL,
height. Rachel lay sleeping PEACEFUL,
on her pillow, and even Grace, exhaust
ed by long wakcfulness, had sunk int,
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