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

that she had two protectors upon the
very evening she had determined tc
have none.
Their walk led them to n hill, over
which they must 90, or else take 8
much longer road. Its sides were
slippery to glassiness. and the young
men simultaneously offered hand &c
Che girl. She laughed merrily, dafted
forward, and choosing part where
the icy-snow was more lumpy, skim
med it like bird, before her compan'
ions realized what she meant to do.
81 knew | could do it better thar
either of you" she cried, when, after
many slips and backward steps, they
at length stood beside her at the top.
"Is it not beautifulP'
And with a comprehensive wave OF
her arm she indicated the snow-clad
hills and frosted trees, glittering in
the moonlight like myriads of dia.
moads; the great round moon herself
shining in an azure sky, trying her
very best to Guido her day rival.
"The Scotch Express will pass below
soon," said Bella, presently. LET us
wait here until it has gone by"
just then Fred gave startled cry,
and bent forward.
"What is itp' exclaimed his two
companions, in breath.
'Look DO you not see a figure,
small, like a child's, lying thereP"
ooh, yes! Lying across the metals.
All! he will be killedr'
And Victor covered his eyes with his
hands as the great, snorting locomo-
motive, with its fiery eye, flashed round
corner.
Bella fell on her knees in the cold
snow with her clasped hands raised to
the starry heavens above; but Fred was
already at the foot of the hill, speeding,
like the wind, towards his fellow crea-
ture in deadly peril.
The hot breath of the merciless mon
ster half-choked him as he dragged
the unconscious boy almost from under
it; but they were both safe and, except
for the cash in Fred's cheek, unin-
jured.
He lifted the child in his arms and
carried him to where the others hurried
to meet him.
Bella took the little fellow in her
strong young arms.
as he hurtP' she gasped, for she
was quivering like an aspen, but held
her burden with nervous force.
81 do not think so--at least not by
the train" said Fred. "This wound
on his temple is the cause of his I'M
consciousness. SeeI" holding up pair
of skates, she is some little chap who
was going to skate, and racing down
the hill and over the level crossing, he
tripped, striking his head upon the
rail. He is only stunned; but if Mr..
Raymond will carry him to the vicar
age, | will hasten for Dr. Clark"
But Victor, conscious that he had
not cut very good figure, and was
anxious to get away, said he would
call for the doctor, and departed,
quickly on his errand.
Fred turned to relieve Bella of her
burden, and as he bent to take the boy,
a drop of blood from his cheek fell up
on the back of her gloveless hand.
She became deathly white, and tot
tered as if about to fall, but rallying
again, walked quietly by his side, with
out uttering word.
The little fellow, who already show
ed signs of returning animation, was
put to bed; and the physicians coming
in almost Immediately, he was soon
sufficiently restored to give an account
of himself.
Bella remained up stairs while DR..
Clark attended to Fred's hurt; but as
soon as he had gone she came down to
the room where Fred sat, little giddy,
but not otherwise damaged; and throw
ing her arms around his neck, burst
into passion of tears upon his Shout
der.
dearest, what is it?" he said, anx-
iously.
"Oh, my dear, brave Fred!-how
can you speak to me, or touch me?
Why don't you despise such silly,
stupid, miserable goose of a girl?n
But whyP What have you done?'
"What have | done? Why. l c-c-alled
you an ef-f-eminate man-youm
Fred gave ringing laugh.
"Oh, my dear girl, but we are quits,
for did not | call you masculine wo-
man?-you, who are now threatening
to drown yourself in deluge of the
most feminine tears, which | must
straightway proceed to kiss awayW
Whcreupon Bella was happier than
ever before in her life, and forgot from
that moment all about her yearnings
for romantic sorrow.