The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-11-30
Mrs. Vern1n's Boarder.
CHAPTER VI.
AT TILE VAUDEVILLE.

Al TILE VAUDEVILLE.
'How Is mother, KatIeg' said Heartsease
anxlously to her sister the following even.
ing, SHORTLY before dinner.
Scarcely any better" answered the elder.
~ was going TO tell you, Heartsease that
cannot 90 this evening. Mother must not
be left, and Flossie isn't the same, even il
she were not engaged for tonight"
II came to say" said Heartsease firmly,
that If mother was not very much better, !
would stay with her"
Certainly not. The offer was primarily
made TO You, and you remember was the
last who went TO the theatre" The prudent
elder sister would not say 10 the younger
'St. John would not thank us for the ex-
change" ''You may stay II you choose, but
| shall stay also. don't know II mamma
would like you 10 90 alone with Mr.. St.John,
but think she would not mind"
Heartsease pleaded and begged, but all to
no end. Katie was memorable, and finally
kissed her sister, laughing, and told her to
run off and tell st. John how matters were.
Heartsease went slowly towards the draw
ingroom, wishing very much that she could
have remained at home in Hates stead, and
yet dimly conscious that her dsappoint-
ment in losing the pleasure would have been
keaner than her sisters; not for the plays
sake-she had almost forgotten what that
was-but for the sake of being with Albert
st. John. Still, he might prefer Rates COM
pany.
st. John was alone in the drawing-room,
and as the girl entered he looked up with
such sudden Light over all his face, that
any one else than Heartsease herself would
have noticed it without fail.
He rose up and led her forward TO chair.
What is the matter?' he sad, smiling.
You look very solemn. Your mother is no
worse, is sheg'
"Oh no; but she Is scarcely better, and
Katie won't let me stop with her. WANTED
to stay and let Katie 20 with you, but she
wouldn't hear of It. am so sorry"
$50 am for her-and 1t Is very kind Of
you 10 wish to take her place, and Of her to
refuse to let you. OF course should have
been only too pleased if she could have
come, but there seems to be no help for it."
Now, am afraid this speech was not quite
truthful
Certainly, st. John was generous enough
toresret that Katie should lose the pleasure
of going to the theatre but the delight Of
having HcartscaSe to himself was so great
rs to outbalance his regret on Katie's ac-
count
The most magnanimOus Of lovers would
not have felt differently under the circum-
stances
But HeartSease was not quite satisfied
Sh' glanced at her companion wlstfully.
N-no," she said slowly; only"
'Ony what? You will come, will you
notY asked St. John quickly, unless your
mother does not wish it"
'She would not mind, l think. We have
not asked her; we never disturb her when
she has those headaches"
The girl wanted to find out whether st.
John would have preferred Kate's compan-
ionship. but she could not pos IDLY ask the
question, and, besides, she had dim unac-
knowedged feeling, somewhere in deep
corner Of her heart, that he would rather
she herself went.
St John saw that she was perpleyed, and
smiled TO himself, but he asked no question.
What part OF the house are the orders
for?' asked Heartsease.
did | not tell you? A private box, first
tier, second from the stage"
'rhe best position in the house" said
Heartsease, wondering who could have
given the orders, for she knew there was
scarcely any paper at the Vaudeville Just
now. "The School for Scandal" was draw
Ing crowded houses. do We walk?r
NO; We shall have hanson. If YOU are
ready at twenty minutes 10 eight, that will
be quite early enough"
Very lovely lItartsease looked when she
came into the drawingroom, punctual to
the time named, in a black velvet gown and
carrying the furr'd mantle in which ST.
John had first seen her.
She had casually alluded once TO that visit
OF hers to ST. Peters, Eaton.square, and he
had replied carelessly that he knew the
church well, but had not pursued the sub.
ject.
Ladies can be punctual, Mr. St. John"
said the girl laughngly to him.
He was ready, and stood by the mantel.
piece.
"Fastcn my gloves, please, Katie" she
added, holding out her hand but 81. John
stepped forward.
~ protest" said he, "against being de.
prlved OF my privileges"
lieartsease turned TO him with the slight.
est possible change Of color, and surrender.
ed her pretty hand.
Katie covertly watched him as he deftly
performed the task, and settled her lips and
nodded sagaciously-a mental nod-as she
moved away.
few moments later, ST. John and Hearts.
ease were seated side by side In hanson
bowling rapidly towards the Strand. An.
what happiness this was to both, though
only one fully OWNED the causel
ST. John looked down at the exquisite
lace 80 close TO him with wild longing TO
ara" ityet closer. He could not do that,
out he tenderly folded the opora.hood-
kalies handlwork-round her head.
Good people are scarce" he said, AZ she
"Thanksn 'p'"e'
ION, am strong said she; II never take
care oil M self"
II must take care Of you Them "Will vou
let me DO so aIwaysY was on his lIps but 10
utter the words would have been taking ad.
vantage Of her.
She smiled agan--a bright, happy smile
hut did not look at him this time and pres.
emily the cab stopped at the theatre.
ii nisousr noted aS they went TO the
box that tho box-keeper showed an unusual
amount OF ,cicrpnc, to her companion, and
tad.