The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-11-06

I lng, lHo Houls siippcu W, HHu tnc OF
gentleman rose TO return, without Iii;
having said one word to let him know
that Mabel wos not free TO DO woocd
by him.
Now desperation made him "screw
his courage TO the sticking point" and
with very red face and falterlng voice,
he said:
"Sir have a most--that is, want
to say--I would speak to you in pri-
vate, If you please"
Eyes, answered Mr., Falkland, look
ing surprised but quite unconscious.
81 shall be most happy to hear any
communication you please to make;
but, as cannot invite you to Walton
Lodge, being only visitor there, and
rs there Is no one here except the birds
and squirrels to overhear our CONVERSE
ton, perhaps we can talk now"
Eyes, certainly; ! came on pur-
pose' stammcred Bob, growing more
and more nervous; II want TO tell you
that is, you must please understand
that I-you-you-in fact You can't
marry Mabel Walton, and what's more,
you sha 'n't!'
Bob's sudden and defiant conclu-
sion arose more from rage at his un-
fortunate loss OF words, than from any
other cause.
"Sirl'' said Mr. Falkland, looking at
him with dispeasure mixed with slight
alarm as if he had been IN escaped
lunatic. "Will you kindly explain
yourself P'
"Therc is nothing to explain, sir; |
only wish you to accept the fac" said
Bob, now thoroughly exasperated by
the others GOODNESS. IL was engaged to
Mabel Walton, with the full consent of
both parents, when | was heir TO my
uncle's fortune. But he, enraged be-
cause would not marry his adopted
daughter, left her his fortune and me
only fifty pounds per annum. Then
Mrs Walton told me Mabel should
not marry pauper, and SO broke off
our engagement, though it was for
Mabel's sake that ! lost my fortune"
"Well, sir, said Mr.. Falkland, as Bob
paused for breath, lin that case the
young lady is free to accept another of
fer.
Not at all, sir, not at all!' Bob Al
most roared. 81 said her mother broke
it off; but Mabel still loves me, and will
wait until can provide her home.
But Mrs. Walton has made up her
mind she shall marry you, and though
Mabel will be firm, it will cause her
endless discomfort and veXation If she
is prosecuted about il.
"But really, young man, think you
have acted very meanly; you have per-
suaded a girl to wait for you when you
have no prospect of marrying her; and
you encourage her to disobey her par
ents, who, very properly, wish her to
accept the richest sutton. This is very
sad"
you wicked old hypocrite! | wish
you were my own age, you would soon
have my fist in your face! However,
as you have no honor, can't appeal
to ii; only, If you dare worry my poor
girl, I'll make you repent it!'
And in fearful wrath, Bob picked up
his easel, and strobe away.
stop, stop, young man! One mo-
ment cannot let you 90 like that"
cried Mr. Falkland; and Bob did stop,
and as he glared at the old gentleman
with savage eyes, the latter suddenly
burst into loud peal of hearty laugh
ter
'ltS very amusing, no doubt"
snocred Bob, longing to hit him on the
head with his own iishing-cane.
ii, is amusing, sir. 1t is the best
joke have heard Tor many long day.
SO Mrs. Walton had matchmaking on
her mind when she invited me down
here for a quiet fish, She really thought
! was likely to marry that pretty little
blue-eyed girl, did she? A girl several
years younger than my own daughter.
Ha, ha, hal Excuse me, young man.
Ha, ha!'
"Reol y, sir; If have been mlstak-
en- began Bob, feeling foolish, yet
delighted.
"My dear young fellow you never
were more mistaken, | do assure you.
Now you mention this, can see it
may possibly be the old lady's idea,
but believe me, nothing is farther from
my thoughts than marrying any one,
still less that sweet child. But, come,
accept my apologies for not undeceiv-
ing you at once, instead Of cruelty en-
joying the joke at your expense. viii
you walk back with me- to prove your
forgiveness"
Bob readily asscnted, only too glad
OF any excuse TO 80 near Mabel's
home.
Then the old gentleman drew from
him an account of his unsuccessful at
tcmpts to get livelihood, and, in re-
turn for his confidence, made pro-
posal which gladdened his heart, and
caused his hopes of marrying Mabel
TO rise again.
"a have great business as q mer-
chanti my ships are on every sea, and
! have NO son to help me. My only
daughters husband is an independent
gentlemen, with an ample fortune of
his own. There is absolutely no one
to take to my business when am zone
II you find all the fine arts positively
closed TO you in getting living, what
say you to making trial Of mcrchan-
diseP win you como into my Office
for month, and If you like it, and
show the aptitude necessary. | would
do great deal for the daughter of my