The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-09-30
The Daily Bulletin.
BERTHA DALT0N'S TRIUMPH
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING.
CHAPTER I.

cutting Mdfcn VIM. III seemed as II
winter and spring had united all their
most disagreeable qualities. The Sky
was covered with one continuous gray
cloud, the streets were muddy, the rain
drlpped from the doorways and the
oyer-hanging cornces of the shop
fronts, making pools in the inequalities
of the flags The policemen looked
drenched Notwithstanding their water
proof capes, and from each umbrella
carried by the few pedestrians whom
necessity compelled to be abroad ran
small cascades. 1t was a steady, deter.
mined rain, which might to all appear
ance continue for week without stop
ping.
4 young lady turned at the corner of
a street, and held up her finger as she
saw an omnibus approaching. The
driver observed the signal and drew mp,
There was just room for one, The
young lady took the vacant seat next
the door, and the omnibus ratified on.
She was a Slight, fair girl of about
twO-and-tWenty years Of age, with soft,
hazel eyes and light brown hair. There
was nothing very striking about her
face; her complexion was pale, and her
features, though delicate, were not suf-
fciently regular to be called handsome
There was a downward curve about
the lips and a slight contraction about
the well-developed brow, which betok-
ened sadness, or perhaps WEAKNESS, and
her head dropped slightly, as a flower
does when the dew is heavy upon it
She was plainly dressed in dark blue
serge and black hat, and had wrapped
about her large gray wooden shawl
with heavy fringe.
She glanced listessly at her fellow
passengers, her eyes resting at last up
on the person who sat opposite to her.
He was an understood man, with a
sWarthy complexion, and dark hair that
twisted itself into little CorhscreW ring
lets; his nose was narrow and aqui-
line, his thin and wide lips were never
still for an instant, his eyes were small
and black. and placed too near together,
He had neither beard nor moustache,
though he could scarcely he called clean
shaved, as the black stubbIe on his face
appeared of several days growth. He
wore a brown great-COat with fur col
lar. but the fur was considerably rub
bed about the neck, and one of the but
tons of the coat hung loose. His black
gloves were out at the fingers, and his
hat, too, had seen better days. lie pre-
sented altogether "seedy appearance,
but affected to carry il off jauntily.
The young lady, much given to spec
ulatiOn as to the character of those
whom chance threw IN her way, set him
down as an adyenturer not oyeT-sCrup-
ulous probably, and began TO wonder
what Grand he was then bent upon
mOraliZng at the same time upon the
little benefit such people appear to de-
rive from their schemes, which must
often cost them more time and labor
than earning money in an honest way.
Presently one Of the little man 3
hands diyed into sidc-poclSet and
drew out a pOCket-bOOk; then it diyed
again for a pencil; and this proving 10
be without a point, he brought out a
knife to cut it, first pulling off his
gloves The young lady then noticed
that he wore what appeared 10 be very
valuable antique ring upon the little
finger of his not Oyer-cIcan brown hand.
The central stone Of the ring was
splendid opal, several other small gems
being set round it. II was remark
able ring one which, having been once
seen, could easily be recognized again
The little man, after looking over his
pOcket-b0Ok, took out "A paper, and
made memorandum; and then glanc-
ing through the dOOr-wlndOW Of the
omnibus, he began hastily TO put up his
book While clasping il, his umbrella,
which he had held between his knees,
fell forward against the young lady's
dress.
pardon he said. in foreign ac-
cent, stretching out his hand for the
umbrella.
But 1t had caught in the heavy fringe
Of the shawl The young lady was go
ing TO eXtrlcate it, but tie man was TOO
quick for her-his fingers must have
been accustomed TO nimbe work. lie
hailed the conductor, and, snatChing up
his gloves, got out. The young lady
had the curiosity TO look after him, 10
see where he was going He did not
put up his umbrella but ran quickly
across the street, and rang the bell at
the private door Of large china and
glass shop. She did not discover
whether he was admitted for the Omui.
bus rolled on and she lost sight Of him.
1t grew rapidly dark; the rain came
NNNb ~ lfNA 10 'NIl dN lilt b'IilIIIN
stopped at its destination and the
young lady descended. She had then e
walk of about ten minutes. She mu-
ried along, the wind blowing in gust.
which made il difficult for her to Shele,
herself under her umbrella After con-
tlnung fora hundred yards along the
road, she turned down a narrow lane
leading to news, A litlle way further
on door was Jet into wall, Here She
stopped, and, drawing out a Mtch-Rey,
opened the door, and crossed small
paved courtyard From this another
door opening with a latch. led to pas
sage, on one side Of which was a Nich-
en-, NJ the end staircase, aud opposite
The kitchen another door through
which the young lady entered.
Here the scene suddenly changed A
pleasant home-plcture presented itself
forming q contrast TO the wet, gloomy
evening out Of doors. a cheerful FIRE
blazed IN the CRATE, Crimson curtains
were drawn across the one window, and
lamp on the table dimly showed some
line engrayings on the walls, and more
yividly the damask table-cloth and the
tray with its pretty china while the
Kettle singing on the fire, loaf on a
wooden platter, cold ham, and q glass
plate OF preserve beside the butter-dish
Detokened preparations for needful re-
tleshment
Before the tea-tray sat a fair, cOmely
came OF about liye-and-forty her cheeks
llAnt,,iN., l., L.. .,,. 4