The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-10-28
BERTHA OALTOA'S TRIUMPH,
TIE HISTORY Of AN OPAL RING.

Lord Alphington appeared in Won
derfully good spirits: he laughed at Sir
Stephens Jokes. and entered with in
terest into his description of proposed
alterations at the Larches, giving adj
vice and suggestions. When they went
into the gallery. lie took an opportunity
of drawing Bertha aside: he had no.
ticed that during luncheon she had
looked grave, as if something troubled
her.
You are not looking well" he said
in his kind manner, as they stood to-
gether in the recess of one of the win
dows. do you feel tired? Would you
rather rest?"
"Oh, no; | am not at all tired, thank
you said Bertha; 'but have had bad
news. | am grieved to say that the
ring is lost again-stolen, as it seems"
Her lips quivered as she spoke; she
found it difficult to keep back tears; she
felt altogether so vexed and disap-
pointed.
Lost again,n exclaimed Lord Alph-
ington iii aupiise. How is that
Bertha drew her mothers letter from
her pocket. 1t was written, as were all
Mrs. Dalton's letters, without much Sc
quence as to the order Of events, and
without single stop from beginning to
end. moreover. it was penned i'll an
ilegible pointed hand, and any circum-
stance she had to relate called forth re-
Elections of which no one else could see
the relevancy. In order therefore to
give Lord Alphington a clear notion of
what had occurred, as far as she could
understand it herself, Bertha had to
pick out bits of her mothers letter here
and there and put them together.
1t seemed that, on the very morning
Bertha had sent the telegram to request
that the ring should be forwarded, an
elderly widow lady had called on Mrs.
Dalton TO inquire about the character
of servant, 1t appeared-so Bertha
made out-that her mother and the
strange lady had gone on talking, and
that their conversation had turned up
on rings. AT any rate, Mrs. Dalton
told her visitor of Bertha's adventure,
and showed her the opal ring, taking it
out of its case for that purpose. The
lady admired it, and commented upon
it, and then gave it back to Mrs Dial
ton, who restored it to its case-of this
she was quite certain. When Bertha's
telegram arrived, she went to the ring
case to take the ring out, but it was
gone. She had searched everywhere
for it, but in vain.
1t was impossible it could have been
stolen, Mrs. Dalton wrote, because she
had never left the room; she had never
even turned her back, except for mo-
ment, when she went to a Slde-table to
write an address. Besides. the stranger
was quite well-dressed, lady-like
woman that it was quite out of the
question to suspect her of having taken
it, even if she could have had the OPP
portunity. Mrs. Dalton expressed
much regret, but of course she was not
| to blame-When had she ever been
otherwise than model Of wisdom and
sacrificing goodness, III her own
opinion?"
And now what is to be donc?n cried
Bertha, with little sob. "Oh, / am
SO sorry
Lady Langley, perceiying Bertha's
distress, came up to where she was
standing.
IL suppose you have been telling Of
the loss of the ring she said. 1T is a
provoking circumstance; but don't let
her take it too much to heart" she add
ed, turning to Lord Alphington.
pray don't do that, my dear young
lady," he requested; there is no need.
don't pretend to say that the loss Of
the relic is not disappointment to me,
but 1t is of less consequence than it
might have been. | have no doubt
whatever that the person who called
upon Mrs. Dalton stole it, he con-
tinud, turning TO Lady Langley; land
as little doubt that the object in gain
ing possession of ii was not its mere
money-yalue. This belief gives much
more Importance i'll my mind TO the
robbery
II had not thought of that; but it
certainly strikes me 50 now Won men,
| ton it, said Lady Langley. You will
TAKE some steps to trace ii, will you
noty'
That ceytaiulr sh1ll. Lord Alph-
mIgton replied. II shall give notice to
The police at once. and have "A detective
S 10 work; There is altogether a
mystery about it,
30 1t seems TO me-" returned Lady
Langley.
las to the more important case. I am
happy to say all doubts are cleared
away" announced Lord Alphington.
~ received letter from my solicitors
this morning.
Bertha looked up with inquiring eyes.
| =" GU have received satisfactory in
telligence then?" Intercepted Lady
Langley.
Yes" answered Lord Alphington.
The young man calling himself Sed.
ley has laid his PAPERS before Thompson