The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-12-21
POOL
CHAPTER II.


he always favored me when there was. He
knew didn't like to seem laid on the shelf,
though was not the man had been, and
took the short way across the park. 1t was
dreary way; there was no road laid down
exactly; but there was a trodden foOtpath,
and the squire allowed 1t to be used as long
as folks didn't misuse 1t or trespass on the
grass on each side.
tiled past the pool, and people were fond
of feeding the swans, and the master had
no objection as long as they behaved them
selves, for they were out Of sight of the
house just there, and a good way off any
how. The pool was long and narrow,
queer shape in reality, but made to look
very picturesque by the fancy gardening
about IL, skiful gardening that looked like
nature and had nothing formal about 1t at
all. There was very narrow neck of wa
ter at one end, like miniature strait be-
tween two lakes, and the path spoke Of
led right to the edge of the water on one
side.
The pool was not more than thirty or
forty feet across just there, and on the
other side there was no pathway, only the
grass coming right down to the waters
edge. No one ever went there except our
own people. II was to be kept undisturbed
for the swans, and the master would have
shut up the path altogether if he had thought
anyone interfered with them. They were
very fine BIRDS and always stopped to
have a look at them whenever went by
the lake, and this evening thought they
looked as IL they had been disturbed.
They didn't come to me for something to
eat, as they generally did, and they were all
huddled together in one corner as if they
had been frigl .ened. 1t was a lovely even
ing; the sun was setting behind the great
trees that were on the other side Of the wa
ter, and sending red light on it, making it
look as If it were on fire; there wasn'ta
sound Of anything to tell what had disturb
ed the BIRDS and yet they were disturbed;
there was no doubt about that. All, yes,
there was someone there, woman stand
Ing right opposite me, as l halted on the
pathway.
Where had she been that ! had not seen
her till now? l had been thinking about
the swans, and had not noticed her. She
had no business there and must warn her
OFT. l could not help looking at her, as she
stood there quite quiet, with her hands
loosely clasped in front Of her, and her face
turned towards me. She was so very beau
tiful. In all my life think never saw
any woman so lovely; she was fair, and her
hair was golden, real golden, like some Of
the pictures in the sQuire's big rooms. She
was neatly dressed, but did not look like a
lady, and she wore no gloves. Idon't know
how came to notice her so much; it was
the surprise Of seeing her there, think she
wasn't lady, for she did not wear her
clothes with the air of one, neither were
they in such good taste as lady would have
shown. fancied she liked bright colors,
and noticed That her gown was blue.
was sure OF that, and Idon't know when
have noticed woman's gown before TO
know the color of it.
you have no business there, miss" l
said, speaking across the water to her. THE
squire does not allow anyone at that side Of
the lake"
She didn't move or speak, and called
out again, but she took no notice, and |
thought she must be deaf, so went round
towards her; as | passed the end Of the wa
ter the deer in the park took sudden rush,
and turned my head to look at them, and
when looked back the woman was gone;
she had vanished clean out Of sight, and
the swans were sailing down towards me,
as II they were relieved in their minds by
her absence.
"She's taken the hint" / said to myself.
"But where can she have gone to?'
Except few fine old trees close by the
water there was no shade Of any kind, no
thicket or shrubs that would hide anything,
and yet could not see her. felt cold and
shlvery, and the evening seemed to grow
suddenly chilly. had no time to spare to
look for her, but did 60 round to the trees
70 see II she was there; II she was, she man
aged TO dodge Inc amongst them, for could
not see anything Of her, and went away
feeling as If had got sudden chill.
i've taken cold" said TO myself land
serves me right for standing about round
the water there. What business is it of
mine,-she couldn't do any harmT'
couldn't get her out Of my head, and the
cold had caught somehow came between
me and my supper, anyway, couldn't eat
any, though Cherry had been at pains to
cook something liked.
II do believe that woman has taken away
my appetite" l said, when had tried and
could not eat mouthful, II wish hadn't
seen her"
What womanP' Cherry asked. "And
why should she take away anyone's appe-
ttcp What was the matter with herp''
Nothing that know OFF, said; 'she
looked decent girl enough, but can't get
her out Of my head"
Tell us about her" Cherry said, looking
at me as II she thought had gone a little
wrong In my head, and indeed felt dazed
and stupid In queer fashion could not ac-
count for
1T was only woman standing by Dred-
gifts Pool" ! said, las came through the
park Just now. She was on the swans side
Of the water, and called to her to 20 away.
and told her the squire didn't allow anyone
there, and" '' .' '''"
''And whatp" Ralph asked, tho lad had
been In the house all the evening, out of
sorts like; but nothing had gone right with
him since he had heard OF Harriet's disap.
pearance and there was no news OF her. I
believed In my heart that she had gone of
with the other man; was unchartable.
perhaps, but from oil had heard of her /
was not prepared To like her.
"And she vanished somehow" I said,
| with tha anna unCnynfo rtu hia .hl,,a. A.. n.