The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-11-04

| ness, she SUNK pack into her chair, 0nlV
turning it little more toward tho
light. Lena's was no stately, inacces-
sible beauty. She had a way of sitting
with her head slightly dropped and her
arms folded carelessly, forming a pic
ture of gentleness and sensibility: Dor
very calmness and Indifference he'd
something alluring in it.
II took the liberty of calling to in
quire about ring that was lost in a
very singular way" he began. Il have
been told that it was found by Miss
Dalton"
He addressed himself to Lena, bend
ing forward as he spoke.
| 1T was my sister who found ring
in singular manner said Lena.
"Oh, beg your pardOn Yes, / be-
lieve Miss b. Dalton was on the card, y
he acknowledged. Would you have
any objection to describe to me the per-
son on whose finger you saw it," he
continued. turning to Bertha.
| mo objection, whatever Bertha re-
piled.
She then repeated the description she
had already given so frequently of her
opposite neighbor in the omnibus.
"Ah, exactly so" said Mr.. Fancourt,
as she concluded-"it is as | supposed.
| know the man. He was once a-sort
of a-servant of mine" he added, STAN
mering. He stole the ring"
That is just what Lord Alphington
thought announced Bertha. HE was
sure it was stolen"
You are acquainted with Lord Alph-
ington them Fancourt exclaimed, in
some surprise.
My daughters had the pleasure of
| making his acquaintance while on a
| visit to neighbOr of his-Sir stephen
Langley, quietly interposed Mrs. Dali
| ton.
Bertha had drawn back as soon as
she had given the information required.
She did not care to say any more than
was absolutely necessary. There was
something about this man excessively
repugnant to her.
Il am happy TO congratulate you, Mr..
Fancourt,' Mrs. Dalton continued;
Lord Alphington told my daughters
that his grandson and heir had made
himself known
Il have not yet seen Lord Alphing-
ton, Fancourt said; but heard from
him"
Il understand that Lord Alphington
intended coming to town to-day" put
in Lena, joining in the conversation.
1T was his intention, hut this morn
ing received Telegram nutting off our
meeting till Monday explained Fan
court, drawing nearer to Lena as he
spoke, and gazing at her with eyes all
aglow. His lordshin found himself
Of
yesterday" he added.
Lena did not meet his glance; she
turned her head slightly, so that her
exquisite profile presented itself to his
view.
II am sorry to deprive you Of the
ring, Miss Dalton" he said, again adj
dressing Bertha, feeling that he had no
excuse for prolonging his visit; but |
fear | must put in a claim to it. Or
perhaps you would prefer to place it in
the solicitor, Mr.. Thompson hands?
1t is all the same thing"
81 should have been happy to do So"
Bertha replied, had it been in my
power; but am very sorry to say that
the ring was lost while my sister and |
We're in the country-Stolen again, it
SEEMS
II don't see why you should say it
| was stolen, said Mrs. Dalton. "That's
! just the way YOU run off with an idea.
! 1t is perfectly mOnstrCuS the way in
| which yOu stick to ii that the very lady
like person VINO called here on WedneS-
| day took the ring"
An oath trembled on FancOurts lips
as he heard the ring was lost again, but
he restrained himself in time. The eff
fort ii cost him to trim his customary
language, 50 as to suit his speech to his
hearers. gave a rather unnatural and
stilted effect TO his manner. which was
not unnoticed by his companions.
- lady called here last Wednesday,
he exclaimed. with a sudden flush.
"H d. size d tail woman, with black
eyes and a dayb compleXion?" he asked,
unguardediy.
Yes, tall certainly, and with rather
sa!lOW complexion: she was in wild
OW's weeds mad gray hair and Wore
blue spectacieS, SO that | could not see
her eyes. She was quite lady in her
manners, y said Mrs. Dalton.
The deuce.' muttered Fancourt I'M
der his breath; and then, in some con-
fusion, he ran his lingers through his
hair.
Bertha observed him narrowly.
Did you think you recognized the
person. she asked,
FancOurt started and again flushed.
~ he Intercepted. "Oh dear no.
| merely guessed at random"
My dear. how can You talk such nom
sense?" said Mrs. Dalton to Bertha. in
tone of rebuke. How could you
suppose Mr. Fancourt could have recOg-
nlzed the person before had told him
what she was like?n
And so the ring is lost again, How
very annoying" observed FancOurt,
looking at the tinger-tips of his gloves
as If he were going to bite them.
Lord AlphingtOn has given notice
TO the police; he is going to employ a
detective to follow the matter up said
Bertha, fixing her eyes upon Fancourt's
countenance. and yet scarcely knowing
why she did so.
She perceived that he WINGED; the
hand that held the hat shook. He rose
from his chair.
We'll. it is a deucedly vexatious af-
fair for all parties concerned" he re-
marked; but for one have the less to
regret If it has been the means of intro
duclng me TO Mrs. Dalton he added,
with bow to the elder lady. and an
other glance toward Lena, who had al
so risen. May | hope that as the
grandson of Lord Arlington you
VIII allow me to reDcat mV Vigity"