The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-09-22
The Daily Bulletin.
AUNTIE's QUEEN.

not caught anything
This did not make me unhappy; the
2 day was so fine and warm the sky so
clear and sunny, all Nature appearing
in her brightest and lovelest robes, that
the mere pastime of lying idly on the
messy bank, watching the sparkling
waters, was great enjoyment in itself.
just, however, as ! had fallen into a
deep reverie, sudden pull at my line
aroused me to the consciousness that |
had at least got bite.
Cautiously ] drew the line from the
water, at the end Of which could see
The white form Of a fine fish.
The next moment | had got him safe
ly 10 land, and with a sigh of mingled
relief and triumph, | put him in the
basket.
To my surprise, heard the sigh soft
lyechoed behind me | had been so in
tent on my work that ! mad not heard
footsteps approaching.
Turning hastily, saw, not tho boy
expected, but a little golden-haired
girl.
For moment surprise held me silent,
Never before, all through the bright
summer weeks | had speat with my
uncle Tin whose grounds the lake
stood), had been iptruded upon by
stranger,
Supposing her friends to be some.
where near,an anxious to try my luck
again, with last look at the tiny child,
turned to my rod.
Little boy. " As the clear habvish
voice fell on my ears looked up.
She was standing beside me, gazing
thoughtfully into the water, quietly
swinging large white sun-bonnct in
her hand
"Well2' | answered, scarcely know.
ing what to say, and feeling my dignity
a trine hurt at being addressed so I'M
tremendously.
Use lost, she said grayely, solemn.
ly,stiIl with her deep blue eyes fixed on
my line,
Lost ! echoed in surprise; and
glanciug hastily round, saw that indeed
il she had come with friends they were
not here now, no trace Of human form
was visible in the wide extent Of fields
and meadows lying around,
Yes, she repeated, II Sc lost.
"But--but,' | stammorcd, utterly
taken aback by the chld's serene com
posture, "whNt brought YOU here?'
Nobody Lost myself, " shaking her
golden head sagely
Where do you live?'
A puzzled look crept into her eyes,
and she looked inquiringly at me.
Don't you know where YOU livc?'
said, seeing she did not understand my
question. What is your name, little
girl?'
"Auntie Queen she answered.
could not help smiling at her sim.
plicity, she seemed 50 sure OF having
answered right.
But meanyou right name. What
are you always called?'
"Auntie calls me Queenie, said she
pathetically. tears coming into the
bright blue eyes, and the rosy lips quiy-
ering, II want my auntie, I'm lost
Take me home, little boy w
quickly jumped to my feet, seeing
that a storm was threatening, aud | had
all boy's horror OF tears.
yes, yes, | said soothingly; II will
take YOU home hastily gathering up
my fishing materials.
Smiles once more broke over her
face; she waited until | had finished,
then confidently slipped her tiny hand
in mine, dancing lightly over the messy
ground beside me,
| hardly knew what to do, but thought
it best to 90 home first, and rid myself
OF my rod, etc,
Acting on this thought soon arrived
ut the place where my uncle lived,
Perhaps uncle knows where she
lives, | thought, and having triumph
anty given my fish over to the cook, |
went in search OF him.
He was alone in the library buSily
writing some letters but he looked up
with kind smile when | entered
well, Ned, he said, have you spent
apleasant morning, caught anything?'
'"Yes; one fish, answered. Then
drawing my tiny charge into the room,
added "And | have found a little lost
girl. DO you know who she belongs to?
don't,
Uncle looked at the mite with an
amused smile,
really cant tell you. Let me see
your face, little one' he said, taking
the big bonnet of the golden curls; then,
lifting the shy downcast face, he gazed
earnestly al her,
As he did so sudden startled look
came Into his ewes, and he drew the
child closer to him.
"lIow like!' heard him murmer,
and inyoluntarly his eyes settled on the
fair pictured face of young Girl smil-
ng from the dark oaken wall
| saw the same resemblance which
had struck him, and no longer wonder
ed that the chid's face had seemed
familiar to me
1t was n babyish likeness Of my cous.
in, the only child of my uncle, who,
five years before, when ] was very
young, had married without her fathers
consent, guuc from him into q strange
country, and has never been heard OF
since.
"Who are your he said in strange
husky voice. What is your Nance
"Aun,e's Queen she murmurcd
tcarfuly, shrinking away from the grey
piercing eyes fixed so Soarchingly upon