The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-09-16
IL o IS c. R E " .
A TALE FROM REAL LIFE.
BY RETT WILDWOOD.

Mrs, Beaman tossed aside the letter
she had been perusing, a froWn con-
tracing her heavy brOWS.
1t is from Aunt Waugh she said,
addressing her husband. The old
witch has taken it into her head TO pay
us another visit, | hoped we had seen
the last of her ten years ago. That
WOman's vitality is something remark
able. We have been looking for her to
die ever since | can remember
When is she coming?' Mr. Beaman
inquired, his tone betokening eager in
terest
To-day The letter, for some rea-
son. has been delayed on the way, We
may look for her now at any moment. 90
Il have heard y.u say that Mrs
Waugh is very rich?'
Yes, She must be worth several
hundred thousand And she has no
near relatives TO inherit her property
no one nearer than ourselves
"Ah,' 4 greedy glitter shone in
Mr. Beaman's eyes. Leaning forward,
he laid his hand lightly upon his wife's.
WHO knows but your gl,eat-aunt may
select yOH for her helresS, EstheT;" he
whispered. Perhaps that is the object
Of her present visit.
u wish to Heaven she would
vt is not unlikely. She can't take
her money into the other world-it
must be left to some one. ] advise YOU
TO make IT,, Dust Of this opportunity.
Shuttle the cards well, Esther, YOU may
win the day
Mrs, Beaman gave her head a toss.
g know on which side my bread is
buttered, James. ! can be as alfabe
| and cringiug as the next one. The old
witch will never know from me how
hate and despise her.
1T is always best to use a little dipl0-
macy with such people
Drawing his chair nearer, he added,
ina suppressed tone.
~ may as well let YOU into little Sc
Cret, Esther Ny business is not what
it has been. | have been running be-
hind for some months. Unless relief
comes from some quarter, we are ru.
ined
Ruined, james,"
Hush, It's no use prOclaiging the
fact to the whole household. Our OK.
penses are heavy, and scarcely know
which way TO turn TO meet them Our
daughter Marcia Is just coming out,
and OF course will be more OF burden
than ever. 1t won't do 10 stint her in
any way; now is her time tOcatch young
Castleton for her husband. The young
er children must be provided for
| Every thing depends upon this crOtChe.
| ty old woman So her visit is most OPP
perfume, after all. 1t will be well worth
while to find the way into her good
| graces.
Mrs. Beaman leaned her head upon
her hand. She was proud, ambitious
| woman, and had been greatly disturbed
by her husband $ words.
II had no idea affairs were in so bad
condition, she said, after pause
Marcia must be warned, or She will
take no pains to make herself agreeable
TO the old lady Our chances Of inher-
ting her money are not so bad There
Is but one person really iear'
Who is that?'
You have heard me speak Of Ger
Lude Vane? She bore the same rela.
ton to Aunt Waugh that do.'
Yes
"She lived with the old lady for some
years, as an adopted daughter That
was long ago She finally married
against our great-aunt's wishes, and
was discarded. She is dead now, as is
also her husband, But have been told
they left a daughter, who must now be
young lady,
And you look upon this girl as a
rivalYn
Yes, Aunt Waugh was extremely
fond Of her mother until they quarrellcd
and separated, She might Telent at
any moment, and think it her duty to
hunt up the child
We must take care of that Mr..
Beaman answered, significantly.
An hour later Mrs Waugh arrived
A bent, wrinkled old woman of nearly
eighty, with grim, hard face, and the
blunt manners Of one accustomed to
be obeyed. There was a wistful, almost
pathetic look in her keen, gray eyes
however, as she stood in the handsome
drawingroom holding Mrs Beaman's
leweled hand in her own
, You aud ! are among the last Of ouI
, race, Esther" she said ut Is a pits
we have seen 50 little of each other
AZ has not been my fault, Mrs. Bea
man answered, sweetly II would glad
have welcomed you to my home ant
., heart at any time, dear aunt. I hopt
you have come TO remain
!. Mrs, Waugh produced an ear.trump
g ettrom under her costly India shawl
IS GU must speak alittle louder, niece,
she SAD, placing the trumpet to heI
q ear. 81 do not hear so we'll 40 onc,
:. did" '''o'
Have | got to scream mysel
hoarscp" she muttered "This Ia NOR,
than ] bargained for.n
y AT this moment a babel Of com
u mingled sounds arose from the gardel
, underneath the open window Ther,
l. were screams and cries, the duh thu,
e OF blows, and yolley Of angry words
:. such as will not bear repeating BEGAN,
audible In the confusion