The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-06
BERTHA DAlTON'S TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING.
CHAPTER XVIII.

Though THE Clearing in an Amen-
can Forest" had not progressed as rap
idly as he could have wished, 1t had
progressed, and well. st. Lawrence
was both too true an artist and too con-
scientious a workman to leave any
part unsatisfactory or incomplete. Ii
any portion Of the painting had not
pleased his fastidious taste, out it had
been taken, sometimes again and again,
until 1t had fallen into just harmony
and proportion. 1t was now all but I'm
ished.
But to-day he could not work; he did
not even attempt it. When he returned
to the house he wrote letter to Ber-
tina, giving the story of his love from
the beginning--telling her how in the
first instance he had been attracted BY
Lena's beauty, but how soon-even
during the first evening of their &C
quaintance-he had recognized her own
finer nature. He told her how for
Douglass sake he had striven to keep
his love within the bounds of friend
ship, and how utterly he had failed; and
how he had felt it necessary to remain
away lest he should be tempted to the
betrayal Of feelings he thought then he
had no right 10 entertain. All this and
much more he wrote, ending BY implor-
ing her to trust him, however appear
ances might be for time against him
however mysterious his conduct might
seem to be.
The rain came down heavily as he
ran out to post his letter; but there
were some at any rate who set the
weather at defiance, for about three
o'clock in the afternoon a carriage
stopped at the door. and q knock re-
sounded through the quiet house. St.
Lawrence gave no heed; there were
other dodgers, and few visitors came TO
him. He had never sought society, and
was as yet but little known. Steps
were heard ascending the stairs, how
ever, and after tap at his door, the
servant threw 1t open, and announced
Lord Alphington."
Had bomb-shell burst in the room
St. Lawrence could scarcely have looked
more startled. The sketch he was
about to place in the portfolio dropped
from his hand, and he stood for mo-
ment as II struck dumb. He soon, how
ever, recovered his self-possessl0n, and
with his usual graceful courtesy ad-
vanced to meet his visitor.
"Mr. St. Lawrence, l believe" said
Lord Alphington, who had been scruti.
niZing the young man keenly.
st. Lawrence bowed assent.
81 have heard of your talent as q
landscape-painter," the Earl resumed;
land, as / wished to meet with pic
ture to suit certain niche In room at
Alphington Park, have taken the lib
erty Of calling"
He turned toward the picture on the
easel. but Q film as of starting tears
blurred the object before him.
Have you yet disposed Of this, may
"No, my lord, St. Lawrence replied.
ut is not yet finished; 80 that, as q
matter Of course, / have not yet put 1t
forward for exhibition"
Lord Alphington took chair, and
sat down before the picture-sat long,
as II examining it carefully; but as he
gazed at the canvas other and widely
different pictures presented themselves
10 his minds eye.
st. Lawrence stood, one hand resting
upon the back Of q chair near him.
Unconsciously he had assumed the very
attitude of the portrait in Magnus
Square. The light fell full on his hand.
some, manly face, set of in some de-
gree perhaps by the careless grace oil
bis painters attire. Lord Alphingtor
looked up from the picture, a sigh came
from his breast, his pale cheeks flushed
| What sum do you ask for this?" he
said, slight culver in his voice.
II thought of asking two hundred
pounds for it, my lord" st. Lawrenc,
replied, something Of repressed emo
ton on his face, and in his voice also
ut is good-very good" said Lore
Alphingt0n. II should like to becom,
its possessor. You will be equally a
liberty to exhibit 1t. should be doinj
you an injury to prevent that. But yoi
undervalue it, think"
He drew his check-book from hi
pocket, and, going to the table OF
which the inkstand stood, he wrote
cheque for three hundred pounds, which
he handed to St. Lawrence.
"YOu are too good, my lord" ex
claimed the latter, the same indehna
BILE expression again passing over hi
countenance. -.....
Lord Alphington waved his hand. a
much as to say, Let 1t BEL" and then h
seated himself In one Of the armchair
near the table.
II am not trespassing on you
time, Will you sit down, and bear witt
an old man for half an hour? I shout,
ike TO have q little conversation witt
you" he said.
my time is quite at your disposal,
st. Lawrence replied, though with
shade OF constraint and embarrassment
as he seated himself opposite. ~
Your friends, the Misses Dalton
when at my house YESTERDAY, wer,