The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-07-02
REAL AND IDEAL.


their parents had given a delighted and
cordial consent, for they were close
friends, the fathers having been college
chums. who had settled down in the
same village, Mr. Harding as its doc
tor, and Bella's father as vicar of the
parish. So rs there really was no
drawback connected with the course of
their love, Bella proceeded to manu-
facture one-it was altogether too
smooth.
1t was not worth while being engage
ed, she declared, pettishly, to herself,
if the path to the altar was to be thus
tame and uninteresting.
She looked around for grievance,
and soon became convinced that the
betrothed was not of her seeking, but
forced upon her by her parents.
She was bent on being martyr. and
even assured herself that Fred did not
love her at all. but was coldly and in
differently carrying out his parents
wishes.
, She was an accomplished musician,
playing the organ at her fathers
church each Sunday, and leading the
choir, among the members of which
was a certain Victor Raymond, whose
fine black eyes were in the habit of
expressing the most undisguised admit
ration for Bella, who did not seem at
all displeased thereby, especially when
her fancee was present.
One Saturday evening, when the
choir practice was over rather earlier
than usual, Bella found that Fred had
not arrived to take her home, and gave
Victor permission to do so, which fact
Fred presently discovered, much to his
chagrin.
He followed and overlook them just
as she babe the tenor goodnight"
with her hand in his.
'Bella!' said Fred, with an unwont-
ed sharpness, as they entered the vi
Garage gate, 81 do not wish you to ac-
cept Mr.. Raymond's escort again. You
know I'm always on hand to accom-
pany you"
Indeed, sir! Then pray where
were you Tonight"
81 was there at the usual time
Later, on the contrary" she contra
dicted.
Excuse me, it was quite fifteen min.
utes before your regular hour of dis
missal.
Thank you, sir! You might as we'll
say at once that / am not telling the
TRUTH
mo dear; but your insisting on it
oil -n fon nf
that you are mistaken"
81 say am not mistaken!" she ex-
claimed in temper. 81 was tired
with waiting, and Victor said he was
coming my way and offered 10 walk
with me-"
81 am very sorry, dear that miss
ed you, and will not let it happen
again. But his way home is in an OPP
poSito direction"
'He wasn't going home. He was
going to skate on the millpond."
He must be mad! Why, after these
two days of thaw the ice is like q
sponge! | wouldn't venture to do it
for anything"
"0h, every man is not so-cautious
AS your
There's no bravery in doing a peril
Gus thing except when necessity de-
mands il"
ooh, l hate eireminate men," said
Bella, with little curl of her lip.
Fred frowned, but did not reply to
the taunt only saying
Promise me dear, that you will not
hammond 1,,,th
again! Indeed, | must forbid itr'
Must you, indeedp Well, then I'll
come home alone. | can certainly
dispense with your tardy attendance,
without much loss"
81 have already apologized. Won't
you forgive me?n
81 am old enough to take care of
myself, and in the future | shall return
alone
'Oh, no, you must not do thatr' he
said.
why not, prayp"
'Because-well, | don't like mascu-
line women"
And he escaped before she could re-
tort
All the following week Bella refused
to see Fred. If he called during the
day, she was out, if in the evening,
she was engaged, or she felt too tired
to come down stairs. or had head
ache.
He waited in some trepidation for Sat-
urday night to come, for the choir
would practice, and he knew she would
not fail to be there, unless detained by
something really serious.
Fully half an hour before the requir-
ed time, therefore, he was at his post.
The last strains of the organ had
died away, when Bella came tripping
down the steps, and Fred came for
ward to meet her.
'ls your headache quite gomez" he
asked quite tenderly.
81 am very well, thank you," she
answered, coldly, ignoring his proffered
arm, and thrusting both hands into
the depths of her muff. "Will YOU al
low me to say goodnight? | am in
some haste"
81 am sorry TO seem intrusive he
replied with equal GOODNESS, "but it is a
lonely road, and | have the right to in
sist upon your accepting my escort"
What foolish and angry speech
might have been called forth by this
masterful declaration can only be sur
missed, for at that moment Victor Ray