The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-10-28

the result of dissipation; his hair was
sandy, inclining to red; he wore neither
moustache nor beard, but long whis-
kers. His features were not badly
formed-nature had intended him to be
gOod-looliing rather than otherwise but
the sullen brow, the sensual expression
of the full lips. the dimmed and blood
shuu eyes that had look both bold and
sinister, completely reversed nature 5
intentions on his account.
Have you nothing to tell me, Sed-
ley?" Mrs. Lemont asked. Have you
been to Thompson & Cratchit's? Are
the proofs all right?'
"Of course | have been to Thompson
& Cratchits," replied Sedley. They
required some little time to go over the
papers, but they've promised me an an
swer this evening. | know the contents
of the box are all right except that con-
founded ring-aud so do you. When
that precious brother of yours stole the
ring, | only wish he had swallowed it,
and it had chOked him
"And yet you have found Pierre use
full to y0u at times said Mrs. Lemont
And the proof doesn't depend upon
the ring"
mo, it doesn't depend upon it; but
I'll have the ring if can. Give me the
address of that girl You say called here
about something that Pierre lost in an
omnibus. i may be that very ring
who knows?"
Mrs. Lemont went to her desk and
brought out Bertha Dalton's card. A
singular smile passed over her face as
| she gave it TO her companion.
Sedley looked at it and placed it in
his pocket.
81 shall call there as soon as | can
call as Mr.. Fancourt," he said.
IF | had known at the time that a
ring was missing, | should not have
owned to Pierres visit observed Mrs.
| Lemont.
NO, suppose that you are not quite
such fool as that" returned her COM
panion roughly. And now are you
ready to leave here?"
Yes, am sure | have no wish to
stay-I'm sick of the place." the lady
answered.
And yet you've had your fling, |
think, with your Internal extravaganza.
| hope you have no debts. or it will be
the worse for YOU said Sedley, in the
same harsh tone.
mo. have no debts Mrs. Lemont
replied, with compressed lips and
heightened color, as if striving to con-
troll her rising anger
That is well so far" Sedley remark
ed. Pray who is the last victim he
asked, with a Sneer, as he took up and
laid down several little articles of JjOU-
terje on the table.
Il might ask the same question Of
you, replied Mrs. Lemont, her eyes
| flashing But what is the use of re-
ordinations? | have promised to do
what you require of me-that is sut-
ticientn
Has any one been here to-day"
Sedley asked. with an air Of suspicion
| Il told Perkins to admit no one but
| you" said Mrs. Lemont. What an
idiot that Perkins is. Only | think he's
tolerably trustworthy, as things go. All
me, is there one honest person in this
heartless world, wonder?'
Sedley's lips curled.
| II suppose people are honest or not,
| just as it best serves their turn lie
said.
That is your maxim. ! know, my
| friend Mrs. LemOnt remarked. with a
| scornful laugh, land therefore YOU can
not be surprised if ] do not altogether
trust You. How long is my Punishment
to last?"
How can | tell?" he demanded.
LET me get into my saddle first"
Julie LemOnt fixed her bright black
eyes upon him, as though she would
look him through, He WINGED under
her gaze.
You would trick me if you could,
but have care, she said. Remember,
l have you in my power
Sedley turned shade paler.
III any revelations as to the past
would affect me, they would equally
affect you, ma belle" he said, in voice
not quite steady. But what's the use
of talking in that way, Julie?' he con-
tinued. only let me be secure--let
me get on the blind side of the old man
and then you will see. What has put
it into your head that want to deceive
your"
Don't | know you?n cried Julie,
with her eyes still fixed upon his face
Again Sedley WINGED.
lyon are not talking like rea5Ona-
bic woman, Julie" he observed. You
profesSed to see as clearly as did how
important it is that should not dam
age my prospects, that should get to
stand well with the Earl, and that
shouldn't just at first bring forward old
connections. All this You agreed to-
You also agreed to go to any place |
might take for you, for three months
perhaps, passing there as the widow Of
a relative. You can't deny thiS?"
II don't wish to deny it." Julie re-
| turned. II am quite ready to fulfil my
part of the bargain. Lord Alphington
is old and inhrm. you say, and cannot
live long-you will soon be your own
master. | can wait; it would not be
for my interest that you should damage
your prospects. am no child to seize
bauble before | am assured of its
worth. Only, remember, if you are
Earl. will be Countess of Alphington,
or shall know how to take my own
measures. Don't YOU think I could
carry coronet well?' She lifted her
head as she spoke, as if she already felt
the weight of it on her brow.
Il think You have talent enough tC
carry anything we'll and beauty enough
too, " Sedley replied. in a caioling tone
II have taken nice Ii tie nest for you
down in Surrey; only keep quiet there
for while, and all will come right. BY
Jove." he went on, as if anxious tC
change the conversation, "Alphingtor
Park is a splendid place--I had no idei
how splendid TIL went down on Sun
day Just to have look at it,"