The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-20


icine bottle that stood on the table be-
side her.
Bertha poured q spoonful into glass
and held il while the unfortunate wom-
an drank. She then mostened a hand
kerchief with eau-de- Cologne that also
stood near, and passed it over her fore
head. Mrs. Lemont looked at her;
tears rose to her eyes.
you are good and kind,~ she said;
"but am wicked woman, not tit for
you to touch"
II know nothing about that" Bertha
rejoined, gently. "If you have been
wicked, can only pity you the more"
sigh Of contrition a plea for mercy went
up on high. She turned her head to-
ward Lena.
did she love him very muchp" she
asked.
Bertha hesitated to reply, but Lena,
hearing the question, sprang up, her
eyes flashing, her frame quivering, all
the distaste, the repugnance she had
felt toward the man she had promised
to marry overfowing.
Love him!" she cried. VI never
loved him! hate himl The wretch
the monster!"
"Then you are a worse woman than
l." she said, addressing Lena. you
would have married Sedley because you
believed him heir to an earldom; when
married him, loved him, and have
followed him through want and crime.
Oh, merciful Heaven, through what
scenes have lived! And now I am dy-
ing-dying by his hand!" A gasping
sob interrupted her; she clutched wild
ly at the air, and fell back on the pillow,
a more deadly pallor spreading over
cheeks and lips.
Bertha sprang to the table and rang
the hand-bell; Lena rushed from the
room as the nurse entered.
us she deady" Bertha asked, anx-
iously.
"She's swooned away again. miss"
the woman answered. You'd best 20
down. She'll not be fit to speak again
this while"
Can help?" inquired Bertha.
mo, miss, | can do, thank you all
the same" the nurse replied. She'll
be better with only me when she comes
to herself"
Her aid thus rejected, Bertha left the
room and went downstairs to seek her
sister. She found her crouched on the
ground, her head bowed down on her
arms. which leaned on the couch; hys-
terical sobs shook her frame. Ber-
tina sat down beside her, and, throwing
her arms round her, tried to raise her.
/ Lena yielded to her sisters gentle
force, and after time the passion of
tears spent itself, and she strove to re-
cover calmness, influenced by Bertha's
| arguments and entreatieS.
do you think 1t is true?" she said,
lifting her wan face, her eyes seeking
| Bertha's, as if she would have read
| there refutation Of the terrible story.
Yes, see you believe it. The hus-
band Of another-a would-be murderer
his lips have touched minelh
She shuddered, and let her head fall
on her sisters shoulder as she sat, Ber-
tina half supporting her.
1T is very dreadful" said Bertha
but, Lena dear, are you not thankful
| This discovery might not have been
| made till after tomorrow"
| Tomorrow" repeated Lena, shud-
dering. Tomorrow thought all nay
dreams of greatness were to have been
fulfilled, and now l shall be ouly a
laughing-stock "a something to be
| pointed at On, Bertha, how shall |
bear It? How can go home and face
it all?"
Try to compose yourself, v Bertha re-
| Piled, in as quiet voice as she could
command; I'VE have to get home. We
had better go-there Is nothing to be
gained by staying here"
Nothing" Lena sobbed Nothing
by staying or going. Nothing more for
me in this world-nothing!'
HUSH said Bertha. Il hear some
| one coming"
1t was the nurse. She opened the
door softly. Bertha went to her,
Eliza is upstairs, she said, land I
thought you would like to know that
Mrs. Lemont has come to herself again.
have Just given her a composing
draught.'
Thanks. should not have left the
house without inquiring," Bertha re-
turned. Does the doctor give any
hope that she will recover"
He thinks she may, If she can be
kept quiet" said the woman; but it
difficult to keep patient quiet that has
got so much on her mind. She went on
so dreadful about seeing Miss Dalton
that we thought it better to let her have
her way. The poor, dear young lady
seems upset" she continued, looking at
Lena; would she like little sal-vola-
tile, or anything?"
mo, thank you," Bertha replied.
MY sister found the interview trying,
but We are going home now directly"
"Yes, we are going" said Lena, who
by desperate struggle had succeeded
In subduing the outward signs of the
tempest within. Come, Bertha"