The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-12-09
BERTHA DAL7OH'S TRIUMPH
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING.

make you happy. the young man e1-
claimed, vehemently.
Bertha had been leaning against the
piano, her head upon her hand; she
looked up, startled, as he spoke.
"Do YOU not believe NEW he cried,
his voice full of the tenderness that
filled his heart. You may need a pro-
tector; take me for your protector
your husband! Oh, Bertha, l love you
so dearly! There is no happiness in the
world but near you.
You love me-" said Bertha, in aston
ishment, and looking at the bright,
handsome face before her, as If to as
sure herself that she had heard Alright.
"Oh, | am so sorry"
Sorry" exclaimed Douglas. his
cheeks blanching, as chill of disap-
pointment crept over him. us it that
you cannot like me little then, Ber-
THAI"
'Oh, yes. I like you very much in
deed" admitted Bertha, hurriedly.
grieved at the pain she had given, "only
not in that way-not in the way you
mean"
Have I been too precipitate-tOo
premature?' asked Douglas. Would
you have given me different answer if
I had waited longerp My dear, l love
you so fOndly. Is there no hope for
mep"
Bertha shook her head sadly.
II am so grieved" she said, tears
quivering on her eyelashes. But time
would make no difference. Perhaps /
ought to have known; but l never
thought of this. / hoped we were
friends"
Friends" Douglas repeated, his
voice trembling with agitation. Did
you think | could be with you so much,
and know you so well. and not love you
with more than friendship? Give me
time-let me try to win; or perhaps |
have no right to ask" he continued,
turning very pale as he watched her
flushed cheeks and quivering lips. rs
there some one else who" He did
not finish his sentence; he was alarmed
by choking sob from Bertha, who
buried her face in her hands, and burst
into an agony of tears.
Forgive mech, forgive mel" Doug
las cried. II am behaving like a selfish
brute. | would give my hearts best
blood to save you moments grief, and
am causing you only suffering" He
shaded his face with his hand-tearS
were standing in his honest blue eyes,
and he did not wish her to see how
much he was panied. Il had built
beautiful little castle, he resumed, as
soon as he could steady his voice, but
it has vanished into air." He sighed
deeply, and then went OIL will not
vex YOU | begin to see now how l
have been mistaken"
"Indeed-indeed it is not that I do
not esteem YOU" Bertha said, in the
midst of her tears, as she held out her
hand; but" She stopped, the burn
ing color rushing to cheeks and brow.
''Do not say word more Douglas
requested. pressing the hand she had
given him in both of his. Il ought to
have Known have myself to blame.
| do not pretend to say that | don't feel
this bitterly now, for had hoped"
lie broke down again for while, and
then continued-"Pray do not make
yourself unhappy about me. If you will
not have me for a husband, you shall
have me for brother. Some day or
other shall come back. when | can be
satisfied with the regard you can give
me. Only trust me. Do not look cold
ly upon mel could not bear that. l
will not presume again"
II do trust you III everything" said
Bertha. struggling to recover compos-
ure. IF you could only read my heart
you would see how thoroughly trust
you. am 50 grieved that l should
have been so blind, so absorbed. /
ought to have spared you this pain"
''Do not let that thought vex you,'
returned Douglas. 1T is better that
we should quite understand each other
better for me, don't you see? / have
been but an idle, harum-scarum sort of
fellow-not half good enough for you
know-only if you could have loved
me Well, never mind" he broke
off, dashing his hand across his eyes
I'm better man for my love for you
For worlds | wouldn't have missed
making your acquaintance, Bertha
you will let me call you so, will you
not? l shall think more highly of all
humankind for your sweet sake. Heav.
en- bless you!"
He rose as he said these words. Der.
tina still wept and trembled.
After one heavy, irrepressible sigh
one fervent hand-clasp- lingering
look he went aWay "a hero at that mo