The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-11-25
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
The same sort Of depression under
which St. Lawrence was suffering az
fected Bertha Dalton; she lost her ap-
petite, and the faint wild-rose bloom
faded from her cheeks, excepting when
some transient emotion sent the warm
blood flying to her face. Her employ
ments became distasteful to her, and
she felt most truly thankful when her
mother expressed wish that she should
decline taking any more pupils after
the holidays. She felt her strength
giving way; her old pursuits and amuse-
ments lost their charm; she wandered
about the garden instead Of working In
it, and listlessly turned over the pages
of the books she attempted to read,
finding no interest except in her favor
tie poets. When she sung, she chose
pathetic songs, but often, before they
were ended, her voice faltered, and she
broke off abruptly. o.. ...
Her mother and sister did not notice
her mOod-they were too much wrapped
up in their own concerns. Lena-per-
haps in some degree influenced by tho
pictures of splendor and gayety her
mother was always holding up before
her eyes--had succeeded, as she be-
lieved, in crushing all the more tender
feelings out of her heart, and bad def
nitely made up her mind to accept Fan
court. This being the case, she began
to think it was time he came to the
point. She wished to have her fate set
tied beyond recall. She, too, was rest
less and unhappy, and longed to have
within her grasp the prize that was
costing her so much. She was no fool,
and, even if she had been fancy free,
could not have closed her eyes to the
defects Of the man she had determined
to marry. Bertha openly expressed her
dislike Of the Honorable Mr.. Fancourt,
much to Mrs. Dalton's displeasure, and
Lena could but acknowledge to herself
that, if he had presented himself to her
under any other aspect than as heir to
a peerage, he would have been intoler-
able. But the cOrOnet dazzled her eyes,
and she persuaded herself that in the
rank to which such a marriage would
raise her she need not see much Of her
husband. The world, in the gay scenes
of which she intended to take her full
share, would come between them, and
while he went his way she would 60
hers. letting him know that he was to
consider it enough if she did the hOnors
of his house gracefully and well.
She was also DESTROYS that positive
engagement should take place before
Bertha, her mother, and herself went
on their autumn visit to the Larches.-
1t would be good opportunity for her
to be introduced to Lord Alphington as
his grandson's promised bride. OF his
consent to the marriage she felt as
sured. She believed him to be simple
in his habits, too, unambitious, not to
be satisfied as long as his grandson
made choice OF a lady; and, as Lena
surveyed her beautiful face and grace
full form in the mirror, she knew there
could be no question on that score.
The morning was bright and beauti-
full after the heavy storm Of the night
before; the sun had not yet had power
to dry up the rain-drops that still
sparkled in the chalices of the flowers;
the air was full OF sweet scents, and
the birds rejoiced as if in second
spring. .y-.-
He will come to-day" said Lena, as
attired in an elegant morning costume,
she sat down in her fayorite place near
the window, and took up a book under
pretense of employment.
Then, my love, | shall make some
excuse to go out. announced the prud-
ent mother; ''and pray do not be so
cool in your manner to him as you are
sometimes. / believe he would have
proposed before this. if you had not
seemed to hold him SO at arm s length"
Thanks, mamma" Lena languidly
returned. II know what I'm about,
never fear. Mr.. Fancourt is not bash
full, assure you. 1t is quite necessary
he should be made to feel that he is in
the presence of a different sort of
woman from those ! imagine he has
been accustomed to-"
~ dare say you are right, my precious
one," Mrs. Dalton admitted. but you
cannot blame me if l am anxious to
see you so admirably settled-beyond
even my hopes for you"
Lena's lovely face assumed an express
sion Of disdain. She had sufficient con-
seriousness of what was good and noble
to feel contempt for her mothers sor-
did axiOms, when she heard them enun-
ciated, even while she acted upon them.
This consciousness had grown upon her
unawares during her intimacy with st.
Lawrence; and even now, as she sat
looking out into the sunny garden, q
keen pang shot through her as she
thought how he would despiSe her could
he read her heart. Little. she knew
that he had read her through and
through-that early in their acquaint-
ance he had tried her in the balance and
found her wanting, and that not all her
beauty, all her wiles, had power to
make him alter his Judgment one jot
or one little.
Soon after luncheon Bertha, who was
In the garden, heard the sound of
horses hoofs; 1t ceased at the gate, and
Sarah was summoned to admit the
Honorable Mr.. Fancourt. The groom
led away his horse and, seeing Bertha,
Fancourt advanced toward her. She
received him with q distant bow, keep
ing her garden-basket in her hand. She
always avoided shaking hands with him
when possible.
MRS. and Miss Dalton are within, l
UNDERESTIMATE" he said, thinking to him
self that when he had married Lena he
would make her sister pay for her cold
and naughty manner. -.
Eyes, they are at home. You will
find them in the drawing-roOm, l
think" Bertha answered; and then she
turned and continued her occupation Of
tying up some carnations, plainly init
mating that she wished for no CONVEX