The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-09-23

loving ntaIt by an dCU OF UTeaCneIy,'
The girls lip curled with scorn.
"Do not take up false notions. Louis
Castleton is nothing to mel am moth
ing to him"
"Are you not his betrothed wife,"
mo" came the quick response. "My
parents have done all they could to
bring about marriage between us.
But do not care for Mr., Castleton in
that way, or he for me-"
"Then let me appeal to you in the
name Of your mother she said. "Do
not bring sorrow and shame upon her
by the false step you contemplate, If
YOU must marry Rupert Dane, let it be
done openly, before all the world"
Don't be a fool My mind is made
up. When Rupert returns, shall go
away with him"
Stir from this spot and will alarm
che house,
"Wretch! You would not darel"
gasped Marcia.
ut is the only way to save you. Come
quietly back to your chamber, and the
incidents Of this night shall forever re-
main profound secret between u.s.
DO come"
"Never!n
The two stood and looked at each
other in the pale starlight. Both were
white and determined. But Lois was
resolved to take no decisive step until
forced to it by the others obstinacy.
The minutes wore on. Marcia grew
nervous and restless. Rupert did not
reappear, What could be keeping hlmt
He had only stepped inside the house 10
procure her shawl.
She watched the window with anxious
eyes. A full half hour wore on. Una
BILE to endure the suspense, at last she
crawled over the sill, into the drawing
room, and lighted one of the wax tapers
in the sconces.
Something dreadful must have &C.
Cured" she said, in faint, frightened
voice. Lois, help me to discover what
it isl"
They went through the lower rooms
one by one. No signs Of Rupert Dane
anywhere. When finally they reached
the main hall, and paused there to take
breath Lois made an unexpected discov-
ery. The front door stood slightly aJar
all the bolts and bars swung back.
"He is goneln she exclaimed.
Marcia echoed the word At first she
looked incredulous, but there, on the
| threshold, lay glove she seemed 10
recognize. Thrusting it into her bosom,
she turned TO Lois with bewlldered
face.
"What does it meanY Why has he
left me without word? | do not I'M
| derstand."
But she did the next morning. Scarce
! " had she taken her seat at the break
| fast table, where most Of the family
| were already assembled, when Mrs.
Waugh hobbled into the room, livid and
trembling.
Il have been robbed" exclaimed the
old lady. -.
Mr.. Beaman started up as though he
had been shot
Robbed? What do you missp"
"My gold watch, and purse contain
ing two hundred dollars. They were
taken last night while slept
A moments dead silence. Then Mrs.
Beaman, who saw her opportunity, even
at such time, FASTENED TO take ad-
vantage OF 1t.
Lois is the thief" she cried. II know
she was prowling round the house late
last night II could have been no one
else. ] might have known Deter than
to take the girl in
! Marcia looked ready to faint. But, in
spite of her agony and shame, she felt a
strong desire to shield her treacherous
lover. 1t SO happened that she had
found Mrs. Waugh's empty purse on
the stairs Without stopping to con-
slider the consequences, she hurried TO
Lois's chamber, tucked the purse away
under the linen in her trunk, and turn
ed to fly,
Too late. Her father, mother, Mrs.
Waugh and Lois all met her at the door.
The girl was weeping and protesting
her innocence. In the general excite
ment no one gave a second thought to
Marca's presence in the room :,
1T is my duty to search your effects, .
Mr. Bcaman was saying, sternly, II
shall do SO in the presence of these wit
nesses, You have had no opportunity
to dispose Of the stolen goods"
OF course the empty purse was al
once brought to light, In vain dld poor
Lois declare her innocence concerning
it. Even Mrs, Waugh was led to BE-
lieve in her guilt,
"You shall 90 to Jail for this" Mrs,
Beaman Kissed, between her teeth,
"Now produce the watch and the
money. You might as well. They will
be Of no use to you. I'm going to send
one Of the servants for a constable y
But Mrs Waugh interpOsed. Her
stern old heart was melted by the girls
evident misery. She had been wonder
fully drawn to her from the first,
You shall d0nothing Of The sort,
ustt
Lois n,nat los.-,o i've at onvv, uut re-
fuse to prosecute her, She has robbed
detenGeIess old woman who was learn
ing to love her, and the stIngs Of con-
science viii be punishment enough"
Ten minutes later Lois had left the
house, and was picking her way through
binding tears along the fragrant coun-
try road. Suddenly tall figure rose up
before her, blocking the way.
hat is the matter2' said tender,
pitiful yOice-the voice of Louis Castle
ton. "Why DO you weep?n
At the words she broke down utterly
and, in a wild paroXysm of sobs and
tears, told the simple story, beginning
with the events Of the preceding night,
The young man listened silently
When at last the quvering voice died
away in a fresh burst of sohs, he said,
quietly;
Rupert Dane is the culprit. know
him to be a thorough scoundrel. His
love for Marcia was all a pretence--he
has a wife already
20, sir, have you faith in my limo.
cenCeyn
lie opened his arms, and drew her to
him with tender smile.