The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-11-18

nine cases out of ten those who profess
TO admire Jewels and flowers would turn
with indifference from the splendor Of
the sky. or with perhaps more casual
observation. chiefly relating to its prom
Use of fine weather. But only look what
level radiance is displayed before us
there-topaz, sapphire, chrysolite, and
amethyst"
And the whole one great OPAL" sup
plemented Bertha. .,
II believe your head runs upon opals,"
laughed Lena.
"Did | not hear something about an
antique opal ring that came into your
possession, and then disappeared again
in an unaccountable manner?" said st.
Lawrence. addressing himself to Lena.
at is strange how reports fly about.
Does rumor this time tell the truth"
THE story of that tiresome ring is
Bertha's." answered Lena. Il am sure
we have heard enough of 1t. But Ber-
tina. dare say, will tell you about 1t If
You wish, Ireally have nothing to do
with it,
st. Lawrence turned inquiringly to
Bertha, who related all she knew of the
circumstances - her adventure in the
omnibus, her call upon Mrs. LemOnt,
and the subsequent loss of the ring dur
ING her absence, when she had found
Lord Alphington to be its owner.
"You think, from the appearance OF
the man who lost the ring, that he could
not have been the legitimate owner?"
interrogated st. Lawrence, What
was it about him that made you think
sou
Bertha described the man, and st.
Lawrence remained for few minutes
as if lost in thought and then rousing
himself he thanked Bertha for her story.
1T is altogether singular incident"
he said. Il shall feel much interested in
knowing if anything further comes OF
it,
twill tell you if anything more is
ever heard" promised Bertha: the
story certainly ought to have conclu-
sion-especially with the prophecy at
tached to it,"
What is that?" asked st. Lawrence.
"Only nonsense" interposed Mrs.
Dalton. II wonder that you repeat
such stuff, Bertha, when you know how
impossible it is that it can ever be full
filed in your case"
1T is Just because it is so absurdly
impossible that do repeat it," Bertha
rejoined, smilingly.
Let me hear this absurd impossible
ty," St. Lawrence requested.
lord Arlington is my authority,
said Bertha. He told me of an old
tradition in the family that whoever
wore the ring for three times seven
davs-I think that was the charmed
number-would be Countess of Alph.
ington. suppose the inventor of the
prophecy believed the ring to be toe
| small for any but lady's hand. Won
| der how long that little man in the ON
nibus wore it on his bird 's-claw-llke fin
gcr?'
The man seems to have impressed
YOU observed st. Lawrence, looking
at Bertha with an expression of great
interest. as if he began to see her in
new light. Would you recognize him
if you saw him again?"
'Immediateiy," Bertha returned. VI
should know him by his restless black
eyes, too near together, his thin, aqui.
line nose, his thin lips, always In mo-
tion, and his dark hair in little cork
screw curls."
Its quite ridiculous how you notice
peoples faces, BERTHA" put in Mrs
Dalton. II never do. And yet you are
not what | call observant. You didn' I
see that Mrs. Maxwell had on a new
bonnet at church last Sunday"
II suppose we don't all observe the
same things, mamma Bertha said
and smile played round the corners OF
her lips
St. Lawrence was plunged in thought
for few minutes, and then he agar
regarded Bertha with the same expires
sion of deep interest.
Did you wear that ring the approved
number of daysS" be asked, recurring
to the prophecy.
Il wore it rather more than a month
| so suppose the charm was broken,
she replied.
II think We are never to hear the last
of that ring" said Mrs. Dalton. The
| first time Mr., Fancourt called upon US
his visit was about that ring
VT Fanco'rt" st. Lawrence eY.
claimed, sharp ring in his voice.
Lord NIpulpglOn 5 grandson" Mrs
Dalton eXplained-"the Young man who
has just been proved heir to the earl
dom. 1t is quite romantic story. Oh
course We shall be introduced to him
when We 90 to stay with our friends
ST. stephen and Lady Langley, at the
Iarches-tdey are neighbOrs of Lord
Alphingt0ns, But lie called to inquire
about the ring
st. Lawrence glanced quickly first at
Bertha then at Lena. Bertha had evil
IDENTITY heard fancourts name men
toned with perfect Indifference. Lena
cast down her eyes with a conscious
look, as she felt st. Lawrences eyes
bent upon her. She began to replace
the working materials she had been en-
gagged upon in the dainty little basket,
as if to conceal her embarrassment.
st, LaWrence's lip curled. The slight
expression Of contempt she did not
see; nor. if she had noticed it, would
she lave interpreted it Alright, Her
vanity would not permit her to imagine
that any unengaged man she met might
not become her adorer. Feeling as she
| did the power Of st. Lawrence's noble
bearing and courteous manner might
| exert over her, in addition to the
straightforward honesty that shone
| from his clear gray eyes, and the refine
mcnt and mental cultivation that made
itself evident in the meditation of his
voice. she was merely balancing the
| question rs TO whether she would allow
him to fall in love with her or not.
Conversation returned to indifferent
topics. The long spring twilight closed
| in. and Mrs Dalton rang for the lamp.