The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-09-30

attention on the hand of her fellow
passenger.
"Oh, mamma, what is to be doneY'
she cried feeling for the moment as i
she ought instantly TO start off in tn,
rain again to find the owner. "A MAJ
who sat opposite to me in the omnibus
had this ring on particularly noticed
it, His umbrella fell against my kneC
just before he got out, and in taking il
up the ring must have caught. Whar
had better doy'
You needn't look so alarmed about
it, said the young lady who had beer
sitting before the fire, rising and coins
toward her sister to look at the ring
you won't be accused of having stoleI
it, dare say
The elder lady also rose--it was such
a strange incident-qulte exciting.
Let me look at ii, y she said, 'and--
good gracious, child, how wet YOU are
Run upstairs directly and change your
things you can 80 out again tonight
al any rate.
Bertha still hesitated for a few mo-
ments
NO, " She said at last, IL don't think
| can go out again tonight lie was
such a strengthening little man that
my curiosity was excited, and noticed
where he stopped, But | suppose to-
morrow will do"
TO he sure tomorrow will do sup
ported Mrs, Dalton. "Go and change
your dress Immediately VIII be
catching your death of cold,
II waited some time at Mrs Beau
mont's in the hope that 1t might clear
little said Bertha, giving tile ring to
her mother, who held out her hand for
1t. IL am like a drowned rat, she
added, running off. "Please make the
tea, mamma
When she returned tea was ready.
The younger lady sat at the table with
her back TO the fire, slipping the ring
ON and of her finger.
She was very beautiful, Her features
were classical in their regularity; her
hazel eyes were fringed with long eye
laSheS, which, like her tineIy-penclled
eyebrows, were several shades darker
than her golden hair Her skin was
WaX-like in its delicacy. relieved by the
rich carnation of the cheeks and lips
Her figure, of rather above the middle
height was slight, though well rounded,
and her movements displayed an lndo-
lent grace which harmonized with the
calm, Unconditional expression OF the
lovely face.
1T is certainly a valuable ring" OBJ
served Mrs. Dalton as Bertha took her
seat at the table.
IL wish it were mine. said Madeline,
or Lena, as she was always called; and
again she placed the jewel on her fin
ger, looking admiringly at the fair hand
thus adorned.
But it isn't yours opposed Bertha.
Tomorrow as soon as | leave Mrs.
FACETS, | will 90 to the house | saw the
man stop at, and make enquiries How
glad | am happened to notice
Hunger had first to be appeasc . and
then she examined the ring minVtoly.
Round the opal that had first attracted
her attention were five small stones
forming a sort of horseshoe, and below
was a tiny gold heart The setting was
Of exquisite workmanship, and proba-
bly, from the style, dated back two cen
turtles. 1t was no doubt an old family
relic,
II think these gems must be intend
ed for some word, ~ said Bertha. They
must be- because they are 50 curiousIy
mixed; see, this second one Is bit Of
jasper only. The first is opal, then
come jasper diamond, emerald, and sap
phire.
"O-J-D-E-s," spelled Lena - "that's
stop" returned Bertha. isn't the
opal sometimes called fiery stone
And the j might stand for H. ! have
it-F-I-D-E-S, Bdcs'-there is no doubt
Of it. ! dare say it has been betroth-
al ring
II wish yOu would get on with your
tea, girls, observed Mrs. Dalton. "The
ring is both beautiful and curious, but
It ism much TO US, 1t is sure to be
II hope so, mamma said Bertha;
though ! must confess, from the gen
eraI appearance Of the little man IN the
| should much doubt whether
IT came honestly into his possession
How should you know that, Ber-
tha; inquired Mrs. Dalton.
"Of course | don't know, mamma"
replied Bertha, 1t is only my sur
mise
Tea being finished Mrs. Dalton put
away the sugar and preserve in the
heavy, Old.iashiOned sidebOaTd, and
rang for the servant to clear away.
Bertha went TO her work-boX, and tax
ing out a small piece Of silver-paper,
she wrapped the ring in 1t, and placed 1t
III her purse.
stay there till tomorrow, when |
hope your owner will be found" she
sad. and then she brought out her
Wlll.ug-drsk-she had some exercises
III harmony to correct for her pupils.
Lena also rose for her work. As she
dld 50 1t might be seen that she had a
trailing skirt Of dark blue silk under
her Well-iilling black velvet tunlC, As
sara took away the white cloth, Lena
placed on the crimson table-cOyor a
dainty little work basket containing
some pOlnt-lace work similar to the col
lar and cuffs she had on.
~ wish you would make room for me
on That side of the table, Lena-l am so
cold, Bertha said, with a SILVER, as
she stood with the desk in her hand.
II am cold, too,n Lena returned, as
she edged away a little,
Have you been ont to-dayYn Bertha
asked as she seated herself in the space
left for her,
Out No, ! should think not, on
such wet day as ii has been, " was the
reply
IT was no wetter for you than for
me, observed Bertha.
you forget the difference, Bertha"