The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-08-31
THE GOLDEN GUEST.

drip Of the rain, for ever in her ears
little May had laid on her tiny bed help
less and suffering,
The attic in which she dwelt was so
dark and cherries, the one window,
high above her head, was broken, and
patched with paper, scarcely letting in
more than a grey sombre light
But as day after daypassed in gloomy
monotony, May never lost the smile of
patient peacewhich always illuminated
her little palid face. Her mother,
rough, hard woman, was seldom at
home, and the child was therefore near
" always alone.
Few visitors ever found their way to
the dingy attic, only two that Mary
cared to see--the kind minister and his
daughter, gentle, sweet-faced girl.
One day, when the sky was darker,
and the wind moaned more piteously
than usual, May lay quietly expecting
her visitor.
Presently she heard a soft footstep
coming up the rickety old stairs, and
Miss Graham came into the room, carry
inc in her hands cluster of dollhouse
flowers and basket Of fruit.
MAY, dear, how are you?" she asked
pleasantly, bending TO kiss the pale
face.
Much better, now you have come. |
always am, May answered gladly.
See, have brought you few flow
ers and some grapes. Aren't they
lovcly?'
They are beautiful, dear Miss Ora
ham. How kind you are.
Now you must eat the grapes. ]
hope they will taste as nice as they
look.
They are delicious" May cried as
she obeyed her friend,
II wonder you came to-day, it is so
rough. can hear the wind outside. |
wish the summer would come. 1t is so
dark and dreary.'
1--WE must hope that the dark days
will soon be over, then the summer will
repay YOU for this dreariness, Miss
Graham replied,
Il often wonder if shall ever see
the sun shine again, | sometimes think
not.
"Oh yes, you will. and perhaps BY
then be able 10 run about; you must not
get such sad thoughts into your head.
See, your flowers are beginning to droop
already. Let me put them into some
water.
Poor flowers! they will soon die.
Isn't it strange, that when we die we
have another life, far more beautiful
than this; vet when these lovely flowers
fade and die they are dead for ever
What becomes Of the scent which clings
to them in life?'
III is not gone for ever, May. The
sweet odor which makes US love the
flowers only leaves them to make our
heavenly home more beautiful by its
fragrance"
Il am SO glad Twas always grieved
when | saw flower die. Everything
passes away so soon. Tha last time |
went out before my illness Invent to the
harvest home, and the song they sang
was so JOYOUS and sweet but it faded
away. Is there anything beyond
music's hight?' May asked wistfully.
Don't YOU think. dear that long after
the song is ended an echo still remains
in our hearts which never fades, adding
another link to the chain of thoughts
breathing to us OF heaven9 There is
not thing which passes in our lives
but what leaves lasting impression OF
good or evil. ~
II should like to de-" May said,
breaking the silence which had fallen
between them ut must be very beau
tiful in heaven, SO full of happiness and
rest
you must not talk Of dying yet,
MAY, your little life has only just begun.
And now, dear, am afraid / must 60
II is getting so late and dark | believe
it is raining too :"
"Oh, am so sorry. You will get
wet. "
mo, think not; do not mind lit
tie rain. And now, MAY. is there any
thing you want-anything ! can bring
you?'
mo, there is nothing, except yourself
wish you could stay longer It's 5,
lonely here | wish the sun wouiC
shine.
Cheer up, dearest, you will not hav,
long to wait; even the longest day mus
come to an end. Good bye Miss Ora
ham said cheeriully, bending to ks
the pretty pallid face.
Goodbye, dear Miss Graham. Com,
again soon.
Weeks passed but Miss Graham did no
pay her promised visit, nor had Mr.
Graham been to tell her the reason.
Each day brought fresh disappoint
ment, a new sadness. The flowers ha,
long since lost their fragrance, thei
beauty had faded and just when Sd
was beginning to think everyone ha
deserted her, a footstep coming up tn
stairs revived her dropping spirits, an
she watched the door with eager in
patience,
A tall dark figure, which she at fir
scarcely recognized, entered, and can
gilently towards the bed.
"Dld you think you were forgotten
May he asked gently, in sorrowf,
voice.
MAY looked at him, and the brigl
welcoming smile died away. His fac
was SO strange pale and haggard, wit
deep settled melancholy, his eyes fu