The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-02-10
NIN0Nrs PRINCE.

lllCll way Wv dAN tuc Wv lh' NstIh- OhO
point after the other and rapidly cut
ting of all communication between the
beseiged city and the surrounding
country. Winter was coming on: food
and fuel being scarce; business was EN-
tirely suspended; the boulevards were
filled with idle, aimless loungers, gaz-
ing with sad and hungry eyes upon the
long files of troops that marched before
them.
Into the quiet and aristocratic pre-
cincts of the Faubourg st. Honore the
grim ghosts of famine and bloodshed
had not made their way, and the luxu-
rious entresol of the fashionable hotel
where Ninon, the gay little Barronne
de Yalcour, took her abode during the
gray Partisan Winter, was all alight
with sunshine. Ninon was leaning
back in her cushioned fauteuilon with
the toes of her slippers extending tow.
ard the fire, and her head thrown back
YEARLY, looking the very personifca-
ton of ennui.
"Fifine, You bother me. Go away"
Fifne DEPART, but returns again in
the space Of two minutes
Madame, Wei monsieur.
Madame turns her pretty little head
and takes a comprehensive glance at
the tall young officer in the garb of the
national guard.
"The Prussians have not eaten you
up yet?" inquiries Ninon with yawn
that she does not take the smallest
pains TO conceal,
Not vet. Would it be great source
of relief TO Madame if such an event
was TO take placer"
Rather"
Don't you care for me at all NinonP"
Don't be silly, my child. Tell me
what His Excellency General Trochu
is about, and when YOU propose to
stain that elegant uniform with Prus-
sian gore?"
poor Parisr' The young officer
sighed and shook his head.
Paris is very mccall but the Prus-
SLAMS; and no one is giving any par
ties That annoys me.
"Ninon, are you as really heartless as
you seem?"
Just about What do you want me
to do?'
Tell me you love me, Ninon, just q
little. -
But don't
The boyish lips tremblcd, and a great
wave of sorrow spread itself over the
fair, fresh countenance. Then he knelt
down by her side, and single tear fell
on the little hand that he stopped to
kiss.
"Ninon, Ninon, won't you love meP"
you are a stupid boy, and you must
60 away, or / shall never eat my break
fast. You are very nice boy, Ar
mand, but you look as if you were go
ing to cry.
''Ninon!n the word sounded like a
cry of pain.
Then he kissed her hand again and
turned to leave her,
II shall not come again, Ninon."
Madame de Barronne disiigured her
pretty lips with an incredulous little
moue, and the door closed upon her
boyish lover.
Paris in state of siege--a city oftwo
million inhabitants surrounded by the
force OF powerful enemy, and all sup.
plies cut off, The streets were filled
with a gaunt and hungry crowd OF des.
perate men and despairing women.
The sounds of distress and mourning
began to make themselves heard even
in the luxurious quarters Of the Eau
bourg St. Honore, where Ninon de Val
cour wore out her days in wailing over
the dullness and dreariness Of the gay
capital The high price demanded fol-
the necessaries Of life began to exhaust
even the princely De Valcour revenues.
The establishment must be reduced,
and BARONESS Ninon awoke out of her
long dream Of luxury and laziness tc
face life for the first time seriously.
One among Ninon's friends was miss
ing. The boyish form Of the young Of
fcer, with his untarnished uniform ant
unused sword, appeared no more among
her guests. At first she smiled at his
absence, then insensbly she began ,c
watch for his coming, and as the days
passed one after another, Ninon grew
! anxious.
1t was the evening Of the 18th Of No
vember. Ninon was sitting alone, wher
quick, hurried tread sounded behint
the chair, and the clanking of a swor,
startled her.
"Armandv she exclaimed, as sh
turned and encountered the excite
glance Of the young officer.
"Yes, Ninon! AT last Paris
aroused. Tomorrow there will be
grand sortie. With 100000 men W
Shall leave Paris, march upon CamplG
ny--On to Villiers. Ducrot has swor
to re-enterParis only victorious or deat
! have come TO say goodbye. Befoi
tomorrow night Prussian ball or bayC
net may have quoted the heart forey,
that loves you so passionately, XII
me, Ninon: and God bless you
Niuon lifted the brown hair from Il
fair young forehead; moment her III
rested there, and she murmured, "Gt
bless you, my Armand" And then
pressed her passionately against b
. heart, and then left her.
In the morning the troops were
: motion. With stern and set determin
! ton they moved forward, lookil
neither to the right or left lest the SC
: rowful faces Of the women they low
!: should unnerve their hearts and u
!. steady their hands.
!. AT the head of the company rode 4