The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-07-15


from the uplands. A range Of hills in
the distance. A mile or SO to the right,
tine old Elizabethan mansion, sur
rounded by dark frs, at the base of
which stretched a lake into which the
rocky land jutted, forming tiny head
lands and deep-blue silent creeks. Oc-
casionally black-cock or some other
bird would rise up from the heather and
wing its way dozen yards or so, then
drop down again to earth, or at times
continue its flight to the distant hills.
Beyond this no other moving object
broke the landscape of moor and fell,
save the figures of two men who came
tramping through the heather
The one who walked a little in adj
vance was a tall, broad-shoudered, mus
cular specimen of the young English
gentleman, who had never done days
work in his life; but had gone through
no end of labor in boating, shooting,
and such like sports. His features were
handsome and manly, his complexion
becomingly bronzed, his eyes Of a clear
blue, giving a winning expression to
the whole countenance, while glossy
rings of nut-brown hair clustered round
the shapely head. His attire was re-
markably well-made shooting suit, and
he carried a gun over his shoulder.
His companion, apparently of his own
age, was of lower grade in society
indeed, his dress was that of game
keeper. A game-bag, quite empty, was
slung over his shoulders, against which
also rested two loaded guns. For some
time there had been silence, the black
cocks had risen and flown away I'M
checked Not a bang had disturbed the
autumn air. 1t was doubtful II the
foremost sportsman had even seen the
birds as ne strobe on, one hand in the
pocket Of his shooting-coat, his brows
contracted, and his eyes bent on the
ground. He evidently was lost in deep
and not quite agreeable meditation.
The other more than once had glanced
In surprised, perplexed fashion at
him, then at the birds that rose almost
from their very feet.
AT last. unable to keep quiet longer,
he remarked with comical twinkle in
his brown eyes:
Don't you think, Mr.. Phil we should
have had just as much sport if we'd left
the bag and the powder and shot at
home? And the guns, too. for that
matter. There would have been less TO
carry"
Philip Bathurst burst into a merry
peal of laughter.
Right you are, Mark, he exclaimed;
"the birds need not fear me much to-
day. The fact is. didn't come out to
shoot, came to think, and as we can
do that as well sitting as standing, here
goes"
So saying he threw himself down
among the scented heather. AS the
gamekeeper followed his example, he
said.
Il thought there was something up,
Mr.. Phil"
Something up, indeed exclaimed
the young master, his gaze fixed on the
mansion among the frs. 'Ileigho.n
after pause; - / say, Mark, how would
you like to 60 to Australian"
Australia! Why, Nh. Phil, I'd 60
wherever you 60, But it amt likely
you are going there"
Isn't it, That's all you know about
it, foster-brother Mark. y retorted Phil
ip Bathurst with an assumption Of gave
ty. Know that this day promises TO
be one of the most important in my life,
that's why | came out to think; know,
Mark that before yonder jolly-faced
sun sets and rises again, Phillip Bath
urst, reputcd heir Of his uncle, Charles
Bathurst-may be a homeless, compare
lively pennileSs wandcrer.'
You, Mr. Phil; that's one Of your
jokes, sir
"A joke, Mark, which I'm coming to
think Will turn out serious earnest.
Tonight may see the doors of Bathurst
closed on mel being outside, not il.
"surely, Mr.. Phil, you're mad or in
! love"
Not more mad than man is general
| ly Mark; as to loye--well-p'raps that's
nearer the point. There, old fellow,
don't grin. 'Pon my word I'm not
testing; listen, and III tell you all
about it. You're aware that Sir Ken
yon McCrea has daughteryo
you can't be in love with her, Mr.
Phily"
mo, Mark; but my not being in love
makes no difference with my uncle. lie
has boarded, and saved, and made all
his lifetime, and now he has set his
heart on my marrying an heiress, that
heiress being Miss Marian McCrea,"
And if you refuse Mr. Philip
Then | am disinherted We near
had high words about it last night,
when my uncle gave me until this even
ing to decide If refuse, | am to
troop bag and baggage instanter from
Bathurst Now, putting all other things
aside, Mark, it is to me confoundedly
derogatory for a fellow to let another
choose wife for him To be bought,
as II were. don't like it.. It's an in
suit to mans liberty and independent
feelings. BY Jove it is.n
"Still, Mr.. Phil, Bathurst's Bath.
urst," remarked Mark, scratching hi,
ear, and Miss McCrea isn't so very
plain"
IF she were all beauty and amiabili
ty 1t would make no difference
"Ahl" remarked the foster-brother
slyly, because, Mr.. Phil, Of the othe
thingspn
Philip Bathurst again made the al
vibrate with his laughter.
you're a cute fellow, Mark Blu
you've hit the right nail on the head
am in love-over head and ears-up I
the eyes-with an angel"
: They all are angels, Mr.. Phil, I'll
we have married them"
Hold your tongue, Mark; you can
Judge, for you didn't know an ange
The one love there is not the slightes
chance of my ever seeing again. Sh
has vanished from me, as IT,, indeed
she had been ethereal instead of eartl
.a..t -.