The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-02-18

no NV ItlI ~ INV A'' NtlclAiN
my darling, and listen to me. This money
il necessary, can be so placed, as to keel
yon and Adlienne from want. II do mol
come back you will give II to Count d'Au'
bretot to invest for your benefit. Pronis,
me.'
~ dol will" said Madeleine, with an
effort to gain her self control what a
pretty purse, jean! 1t has II coronei
worked in this corner----'
Yes; il belonged TO the Count de Nor.
nasse. You will keep il, Madeleine, rs a
souvenir; one Of these days it may prove
useful to us Now. these packages, in
case--well, in case my duties fall TO you
to carry ont, must reach the Countess
Valentine de Mornasse at ArIas, where
she lives with her aunt. q canonesa. You
see these are all papers, title deeds to es-
tates and in this ca ket--seel jean pressed
a spring, the iii opened. and Madeleine
gave sigh OF admiration at the brillaucy
and size Of the diamonds thus disclosed.
"They were her mothers jewels. This
signet ring Of the counts | will put with
them. And now, Madeleine, where is the
safest place 10 hide ,beml AS soon as
possible after to morrow they must reach
their proper owner, l do not like the re.
sponsibility Of keeping them. even for a
few days"
II suppose the safest place will be in
the Swiss box with my necklace II is
large enough 10 hold all Of them"
We'll, get IT. end now You shall hear
all about them"
While Madoleineunlockcd the cupboard
and took out her treasured box, Jean DIES.
cribed his finding Of the wounded count,
and their long interview. While talking,
he held MadeIcine's necklace 10 the lamp,
letting the rays fall on the dazzling gems,
to admire them, and then he carefully ar.
ranged the jewels and papers beside it on
the velvet
mo one dreams Of what this cottage
contains, Madeleine, or you would scarce
ly be safe in it when am away
ALAS! Jean. only this morning Adn.
enne asked for the necklace before some
Of our neighbore, and was silly and vain
enough to let them see it,
who were theyT
Marie Meyer, Aglae LerouI, Annette
Despard, and victorine Gabeille OF course
they are all honest, but
"But they are gossips, and may talk
Well, Madeleine, cheer up. We will find
safer place for the gems and gold, and
you can tell our neighbors so; and now,
my own darling, l must leave you"
Madeleine threw her arms around him,
unable TO utter word, and for some min
utes only her sobs broke the stiffness.
"You will unman me, darling, if you
give way like this, and l need all my
courage now" he whispered, keeping
back his own tears, while his arms held
her as in wise. "Madeleine Madeleine!
l must go. Surely, surely, you would not
have your husband called cowardl"
The agony in his voice reused her. She
lifted her head from his breast, and un-
clasped her arms from his neck.
''One minute" she whispered, go and
kiss Adrienne, while l put away the box"
Madeleine placed the box in the cup.
board and locked the door, and put the
keys in her deep, inside pocket. Going
into the next room, she saw Jean kneel.
ing by the bedside, his gaze fixed on Ad-
rienne's uptuned sleeping face, Her lii.
tie mouth was smiling, Perhaps she
dreamed Of him. Jean kissed the droop
ing eyelids and waxen cheeks, his hot
binding tears no longer to be kept back
and then he rushed from the room. Mad.
eleine closed the door after her, and softly
drew the heavy wooden bolt into its sock
ct, thus guarding against Adrienne leav-
ing the room should she awaken. That
done, the mother gave way to the wife
and she followed Jcau out on the lawn
caught up with him at the gate. and. put
ting her arm in his, they Sc, out toward
Anton.
Just to the top Of the hill, Jean. We
have often walked i, together, when you
we're sure to be back in few hours
Well, as you will, Should it he our last
walk together, Madeleine, at least It shall
be Il happy one"
lie tried 10 impart 10 her some Of his
own courage and renewed cbeerfulness,
but Madeleine had never felt so utterly
Respondent
1t was a lovely night; the stars gilt
tered above the still landscape and the
white cottages standing out from the
background Of dense forests. The per-
fumes from the bossoming orchards and
hedges were waited in he sweet fresh
air; no sign Of the hostile armies, who
only awaited dawn TO begin their terrible
work, was visible where Jean md Made
ieine finally parted, with last passionate
embrace-he to speed away, afraid TO
glance behind him, while Madeleine, sink
ing on rock gave way to The pent-up
grief and despair so long hidden and con
trolled.
She sat thus until Jeans tall figure dis
appeared in a piece of wood through
which his way led, and then, With an ef.
fort, rose and turned her face homewsrd.
She stopped at the gate to secure the
latch, and coming up the little path, stood
for second for a last look at the peace.
full, starry sky, at the dewy, t,emulous
May blossoms, and lingering glance In
the direction Of Fon,enoy