The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-02-11

nhVlUg shllhnel MS munger, she brought
water and linen and bathed and Lanlage,
his leg.
All the time she was conscious that the
man watched her with an intense interest
which boirlered on admiration.
"You do not belong here" he said, al
last "You come from Paris"
"Why. yes; was born here in Anton
but have Spent part Of nearly every
year in Paris when the countess was
| there
"Countcss whoT
/ Countess d'Aubretot, She is my foster
sister Is the count with the regiment T.
"Yes; and his wife was preparing t.
leave Paris when we started"
"Then she is coming here to the cha,
teauT cried Madeleine. casping beI
hands in her delight. To morrow, Adn.
enne. we must so to the chateau and wei
come her!'
"Better not leave the house to morrow
said jacques Latnur. 1.-The whole ne gh,
borhood will I've full of soldiers and camp.
followers, and you and the little one are
safest here; besides, the countess cannot
have arrived here yet. We came in q
hurry The king and the dauphin are at
Fontenoy, and so is our marshal, Heaven
bless him."
"Just hear, Adrienne! His majesty and
our good d0upbin! How | would like tc
see themw
"Do not think of such thing until ekAei
to morrow and now ! must get back tc
camp, Little one will you kiss me once
before I go1 Perhaps we shall never
meet again but If we do, shall not for.
get this days kindness"
He put out his arms. Adrienne at first
drew back then, on second thoughts, let
the great soldier kiss her hands and
cheek
SHOULD you see jean you will tell him
that we are well, and send our love and
blessing" said Madeleine, trying TO hide
her tears. ~ wonder--l wonder he did
not come, if only for moment"
He dare not leave nowj my being here
is an accident. Farewell, and remember
should you or Adriennc ever need
friend, you have only to call on NE, JAG
ques Latour"
So saying, Jacques Latour adjusted his
sword, took his gun, and raising his bat
as parting salutation, tried to walk gaily
down the road.
Madeleine and Adrienne strained theii
eyes watching the blue coat as II gradual
ly became indistinct in the distance.
"And now" said Adrienne, settling her.
self in the window-seat, n must watch 70,
papa."
1t was an echo of Madeleine's own
thought. Surely, Jean would come. Only
few miles separated him from wife and
child the distance was no obstacle Merry
ous and excited, as the hope Of seeing
him increased in her breast, Madeleine
went uneasily from room to room in the
cottage, trying by dint OF occupation, to
keep herself calm and light hearted.
Every now and then she would return to
Adienne's post, caress the child for a
few minutes, and again busy herself with
domestic cares.
She would prepare Jeans favorite sup
per, then. If he came, hungry no doubt
and exhausted, after the long march and
the mornings skrmsh, she would enjoy
the old satisfaction Of seeing him eat and
hearing him praise her nice food.
Madeleine's cottage was built like the
majority Of French cottages Of the period,
called piSe; that is Of clay, compressed
and hardened, cut in blocks and laid in
mortar, like stones. These houses are
sometimes three stories high, and have
window frames Of stone. Madeleine's up.
per floors were seldom used; she and Adj
iienne slept in pretty little room to the
right Of the large, middle apartment. or
"grande ehombre," as it is called. On the
left was the kitchen; both rooms being
shut of by strong wooden doors from the
main one. The back windows OF the "best
room" were wide and low, opening on a
small patch Of ground used as kitchen
garden. Vines carefully trained, almost
concealed the gray walls, and the lawn in
front was bright with early spring flow
ere, which Madeleine had brought from
the lovely gardens OF the Chateau d'Au.
bretot.
Beyond the kitchen-garden stretched
The orchard, the trees Of which were
white with blossoms in the high grass,
daisies and buttercups raised their heads
as If coaxing Adiienne 10 come and gath
er them for garland; but Adrienne was
not TO be attracted. For months her faith
ers return had been the grand topic Of
conversation, and now, any minute his
tall form might come up the road, and Ad.
rienne wanted to run and meet him.
However, the long afternoon passed
away, twilight was creeping like haze
over the landscape, and Adrienne began
to lose hope, Madeleine, in her low seat,
tried in vain TO fix her thoughts on every
day employments. They would wander
of to The days Of her courtship, and the
stormy period that had constantly separ.
ated her and Jean since their marriage.
Campaign after campaign had he left
home TO follow Count d'Aubreto,s fortunes
In the field, and Jean Renaud was consid.
cred one Of the hravest men in the Guards.
Tall and powerfully built, the stories OF
his prowess and daring seemed almost
| I.,,1A L,,A III