The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-02-04

least, Ine envy Ol al the men IN In
room, etc., to the end Of the chapter
But, entering Mrs. Crosby's dressing
room her veXation vanished as her host
ess, rapturously greeting her, having
followed her hurriedly up the stairs
met her with the announcement that
having heard of Mr. Railings's acciden
she had supplied substitute cone sh,
was quite sure would do equally well
and would possess the charm OF novelty
IA friend of her husband, Mr., Jack
Desmond,
Then she retreated to her guests leav.
ing Sydney to follow, not noticing the
quick, crimson stain on the losely cheek
which had Haunted itself at her words.
II might have spared him." thought
the girl, Now, to do so, only one
thing will be wanting, and that is my
power
And, taking last glance in the mir
ror at the charming vision it reflected,
ut the face men called beautiful, at the
exquisite figure whose every curve was
define ted by the Partisan toilet dpnned
tonight in all its first freshness, It was
small wonder that, at the inprobability
of the latter, an incredulous smile touch
Ell the red lips.
II still rested there when Mr.. Des.
mond relieved her Of his charge, and
drew her arm within his own.
I'VE have not had much practice to-
gether, Miss Cole he said, rs lie led
her to the further end Of the room ''out
/ rattle. think no one will be wiser save
! ourselves.
II should imagine you danced well, y
she replied, iudfercntly "aud can
easily give yUu ;he figures Mr. R2i,mgs
and hai decided upon; on should be
happy 70 receive instruction in any new
ones at your bands
"You have not asked me why have
not been 10 see YOU" be said little
later, as they kept time to charming
waltz.
His arm was about her slender waist;
her little hand rested on his sleeve; his
| eyes for a moment met hers, but their
laughter had gone, and in its stead was
a newborn tenderness.
She strove to answer lightly, but the
words refused to come.
Il dared not come" he whispered.
A little later she could have laughed
at the singular influence the simple ut
terance had possessed over her. Was
not this man acting part, and did she
not know it? 1t was she who must hold
sway, not he; but even as she thus de-
cided she felt that she was toying with
a flame which might scorch all who APP
preached it, and yet burn on calmly and
undimmed
II have a message for YOU from
Frank, she said when he bade her good
night. will you come tomorrow to
hear it?n
He bowed assent, She had put his
coming in such form that refusal was
impossible. The next day he was in
her presence, 1t was but forerunner
Of the many days to follow. But they
no longer spoke or hinted of danger to
either They talked OF themselves, the
past the present. On the future they
rarely touched, and then with but the
passing lightness of birds wing.
Three weeks mad passed and Mr.. Des-
mond spoke OF leaving them. On the
evening OF the day fixed for his depart
ure he came to bid Sydney good-by.
"You have made me break the first
promise I've ever broken, Miss Cole
he said to her Il had promised Frank
to be the best man at his wedding; but
telegraphed yesterday to have pass
age taken for me in the steamer which
sails for Europe a fortnight from TO-
day"
You are going TO Europe?" shesaid
For how long?"
"Chul | have conquered myself" he
answered. lie sprang to his feet and
said, lightly, "Good.by, Miss Sydney.
God bless you and dear old Frank in
your new life
She, too, stood up and strove to
make reply. Tears were not common
visitors to the deep blue eyes; but now,
now that she would fain drive them back
they came yelling up from some secret
fountain, falling 50 thick and fast she
could not wipe them away as they fell,
nor check the sobs which racked the
slender frame.
Instioctiyely he opened his arms and
drew her to his heart. She felt il mad
ly beat, as in hoare tones, but in very
fond, endearing accents, he murmured
her name. Suddenly she wrenched her.
self away. The tears were checked. She
stood pale and trembling before him,
but with the fixed light Of resolve in hel
beautiful eyes.
Il heard that no woman had ever
touched your heart she said. II de.
termned to try-you see the result. Fol
you is scored another victory--for me
defeat. wish my humiliation to be
complete therefore | make unnecessary
confession, Now good-by; but do no,
add the blessing; I do not deserve that
--ah, non'
"You tried to touch my hearth he
answered. "For once, Sydney, let ME
speak The truth. The first hour | saw
! YOU it passed forever into your keeping,
Honor, loyalty to my absent friend, have
led me to play my poor part at disguise,
but you have wrung my plifully kept
secret. Sydney, It is our fault that we
have thus learned loves lessonp Ny
darling, my love, what is all the world
IT 1t debars us from each otherPN
1T is not of the world we have to
think, she said. ut Is Of Frank -