The daily Cairo bulletin., 1884-05-09
ONLY A PHlPLE.


Lord Bertie Ellesmere walked into
his wife's sitting-room one afternoon,
with an unusually serious expression
on his face. For Lord BERTHE was
young man of cheerful disposition,
not given to serious thoughts. He found
Lady BERTHE in her room, engrossed in
the absorbing occupation OF looking in
the glass. She did not turn when he
entered, but continued to study the
dimples in her chin. She had been
recognized beauty when she married,
and still held that position; therefore
she must be forgiven for continuing to
look in the glass without apology,
whether her husband or any one else
entered the room. Actresses do not
apologize for settling their rutiles and
studying the effect of their makeup
in the green-room mirror all the while
they carry on a conversation; why,
then. should not society beauty watch
her own face while she talks? 1t is
but matter OF business in both eases.
Lord and Lady BERTHE had been mar
ried two wears, and they were still eX-
celleut friends, No jealousy or mis-
understanding had, so far, marred
their content with each other.
Lord Bertie sat down and looked at
teutiyely for q moment at his wife's
back. but lis prettiness did not occupy
his mind at this moment.
MAY" he said suddenly, and in a
grave voice, lis there anything yod
| want?'
Anything l want" exclaimed Lady
Bertie. We'll, | should think so! /
want a new idea for ball dress; l
want an Esquimaux dog; l want my
diamonds reset; want TO go TO 81.
Petersburg this winter; want can t
think Of them all now, bat | want 4
hundred things.
"Do YOU want money?
Money! Not particularly at the
moment; but if you are oyerburdened
with bank notes feel sure | can use
them"
Don't talk nonsense, May; I'm in
earnest. And l DO wish you'd turn
around.
I'm busy" replied Lady Bertie.
And so, indeed she was. She was ap-
plying with the greatest care and skill
, q minute patch Of sticking plaster TO a
tiny defect which she had discovered
on her chin. Fancy you being in earn
est" she went on. What can it be
about?n
MAY, have you been gambling?'
| y,rl pur+ia lr-r,y,-1r-
"Gambling!' cried Lady Bertie.
Certainly not. Why, | should have
hollows under my ewes in a fortnight!
What can have put such an idea in
your head?'
IN tell you," said Lord BERTHE.
Just now, for the second time, have
seen dreadful looking jew, with any
quantity Of watch chain over an i'm
mense waistcoat, going out of this
house. Now, what on earth can YOU
want with Jew, if it isn't to borrow
money!
Dear met said Lady BERTHE, with
scorn, what a poyerty-stricken i'm
agination yours must be. One might
want a great many things Of jew, !
should think. Jews are very clever
people" "
Don't you mean to tell me what
that man comes to see you for?' asked
Lord Bertie in a gloomy tone.
mo- said Lady Bcriie airily, but
with much decision: mo, | don't.
"Now," she added, turning around at
last, "am looking well to-day"
"You are getting handsomer, | be-
lieye," said Lord BERTHE, but in the
same gloomy tone.
81 am very glad you think So" ex-
claimed Lady Bcrtie, with feryor.
That's all right then" And she left
the mirror and came to low chair
near her husband. She was exceeding
" graceful and could sit down in an
artistic manner worthy Of the great
Sarah. Sue formed 4 lovely picture,
in her white wrapper that was little
more than cloud of Valencienncs, as
she posed herself in her fayorite lounge
ani crossed her pretty pink slippered
feet Lord Bertic had thrown himself
into m easy, but hardly graceful atti-
tude-his legs outstretched and his
heel, on the ground, his hands in his
trousers pocket. Sitting thus, he eyed
his beautiful wife all over with a de-
jected and perplexed air.
1T not all right" )" he said, after a
moment. II hate mysteries. We've
kept clear of them so far, May. Hyou
won't clear this one up, I'll cut it short
by telling the servants that jew is not
to enter this house"
"Oh, do!N said Lady Bertie; "tha
will make such nice little scandal fol
the servants hall! And by tomorrow
it will be half over town
"Well, don't want to make a foo
of myself, and I'm sure I've no desr
that you should be talked about but
can't stand this state Of things
'In fact, you are dying OF curiosi
typ
Not at ALL But if you are in diff
culties, I'm ready to get you out Q
them. There's my hand on il, May
and all ! ask is, don't go to anybod
else
"What dear boy you are, SAT-
Lady Bertie. "But there's nothing t