The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-12-07
CHAPTER VlII.
MY IIEARTsEAsE.

I Albert st. John was glad to be left alone,
glad for the time to think what was best to
be done.
Now that he was forced to speak, what
should he say to lIeartscase? Could hen now
tell her the truth, and ask her to give him
the right TO help? Would not that be put
ting unjust pressure upon her?
Ii she loved him--well but if not But
II he offered help and She, not loving him,
saw that he loved her, could she accept it?
Aye, surely, for the sake Of mother and sis
! tiers.
Could he see her tonight? lie fancied he
heard her going downstairs. lie would seek
her, at any rate.
He descended the stairs, and outside the
din!ng-room door he paused There was no
sound from within. lie opened the door
gently, and entered.
There, by the fire, sat heartsease, her
hands clasped loosely over her knees, her
whole attitude detected. In one quick
glance st, John took in the picture before
the girl had started round neryOusy, and
instantly flushed Painfully on seeing st.
John; but then he might not be able to
augur much from that change Of color. She
knew, Of course, that Katie had spoken to
him,
She turned her head away again without
a word as he closed the door, and did not
lift her eyes when he came up to the fire.
place, and stood looking down upon her.
He was struggling for self-c)ntrol; she for
CANNES; her heart was beating fast and
thick, She longed to run out Of the room, but
she dared not move. In minute or two he
had mastered himself,
"lIeartsease," he said in a low tone.
Yes" still not looking up.
Your sister has been speaking to me.
She has told me what has happened to YOU,
and it has grieved me most bitterly, but |
thnk--l hope that things may not be 50 bad
as they seem"
They could not be worse" said Hearts
ease, gazing steadily into the fire, which
was crimson blur.
81 did not mean that your affairs might
be retrieved, Kate told me that the ruin
was complete, save a small amount. / mean
there might be friends who"
He stopped His voice failed him Just
then,
lIeartsease said with almost inpatient
bitterness:
I'VE have no friends who could help MS.
Poor people don't make rich friends and
II we had, we would not ask them for any
thing"
You have one friend" said st. John,
bending forward little, "who would help
YOU If you would allow him."
Hear,sease lifted her head with a oulck
movement and looked straight into ST.
Johns face, the blood dycing cheek and
brow.
you mean yourself" she said with
strange a5ruptness.
Il mean myself"
NearlSeaseS eyes went back to the fire.
she put her hand to her forehead in hur.
rled oeTildered kind Of way.
but, she said, II do not understand
You know we could not accept such kind.
ness; It would be impossible. You are not
rich. We have no claim upon YOU"
why should the question of 'caim' arise2
Let il pass. Put il simply on thls-that
am fond Of you all, that to crafty myself
wish to be yourfr 1t is asinple matter,
Is ii notr
mo, no, you cannot treat il like that. II
Is noble, generous OF you; but how could we
De sure OF repaying yon even small sum?
oh no: don't know how to thank you, but
II cannot be-
u did not speak Of loan, Ileartsease.
nor of small sum-"
The girl looked up again. this time with
establishment In her gaze.
DO you mean" she said in a Kind of dos.
pera'e way, 'that You want to make the
I hall