The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-13

up her hand to her brow on which there
was an expression of pain. MY head
is dizzy, she said. IL dare not be
alone. Let me lie down by YOU"
Bertha, much alarmed, made room
for her sister beside her. Though she
had no doubt that much of what Lena
had said had been merely the fevered
imaginings Of delirium, yet it betoken-
ed mind i'll at ease; and, notwith-
standing the dreaded day that was to
seal her sisters fate was now 80 near,
she yet expected some revelation to
take place, some event to occur, that
would put a bar to the marriage, but as
to what it would be she could form no
conjecture. would it not be we'll if
Lena should prove. to he really suffer
ing so that the day would have to be
postponedyn she asked herself. Was
she wrong in almost wishing it might
be SOP The night before she had gone
to sleep absorbed in dreams of her own
happiness; now the fears and troubles
arising from what she had observed of
her sisters state of mind, and from the
vague warnings she had received, re-
turned, in full force.
AS soon as it was daylight she rose
and dressed herself, leaving her sister
still sleeping. She heard Sarah setting
out the breakfast things in the room
below, and then she heard her mother
moving about. Soon after Lena opened
her eyes. Raising herself on her elbow,
she looked bewildered at first on finding
herself in Bertha's bed, and then she
remembered. a
Are you there, Bertha?" she said.
81 think must have had bad dream
last night, | was talking nonsense,
wasn't II"
"How do you feel now?" Bertha
asked, coming to her side. "Are you
better? Will you have your breakfast
up-Stairsy'
Lena caught at the idea.
Yes, bring it to me, that's dear.
But l am quite well now. You must
not think anything of what I have said,
and do not say anything to mamma,
except that my head aches rather and |
want to rest while longer"
You are certainly not looking your
best" said Bertha. II will 60 and get
you cup of coffee. Stay quietly here;
ilt NliN ol'Ali blNN'4lp NOu'
Lena went downstairs before one
o'clock, the hour at which Fancourt
usually paid his first visit; but at one
o'clock Fancourt did not make his ap-
pearance.
About half-past two Sarah came into
the small parlor where they were sit
ting in the midst of bridal favors, to say
that young woman was in the kitchen
wanting to see Miss Lena
"She seems quite upset m" said Sa-
rah: but she won't tell her business to
none but Miss Dalton, she says"
Wants to see me? How very odd"
said Lena. rising and going out.
She soon came back, looking much
disturbed
ITS the strangest thing, mamma"
she said. II can't quite make it out.
Her mistress is dying, the young woman
says, and has sent her for me. She says
she has something tn communicate to
me or she cannot die in peace. She told
the girl to say it was the lady who had
the opal ring"
Dear, dear, how very inconvenientl
lam sure cannot manage to 60 with
you, said Mrs, Dalton. fretfully.
II don't know that l shall GO" said
Lena, 1T is not very pleasant business
to see dying woman"
PRAY go-you do not know what may
depend upon it, " Bertha cried. NAM
ma, cannot we 60 together? know all
about how to get there-you know l
gave lessons once to pupil at Dorking.
Lena, let us 60 together"
II don't see what need there is for
you to excite yourself so much" said
Lena, still hesitating; but the wish to
gain possession of the real ring deter
mined her-the imitation had not been
satisfactory.
well, if Bertha goes with you, do
not see that there can be any objection;
and it would be pity not to get the
ring. hope you'll take better care of
it than Bertha did. said Mrs. Dalton.
"But what shall say to poor Mr.. Fan
court when he comes?"
Poor Mr.. FanCourt must console
himself" Lena replied, with a curl of
the lip. Eyes, | will go. Come, Ber-
tha.h
Directly. will be ready as soon as
YOU" Bertha answered.
By the time the cab arrived they were
ready, and, taking the young woman in
with them, they were driven rapidly off
in order to catch the next train.