The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-13
The Daily Bulletin.
BERTHA OAlT0A'S TRIUMPH
THE HISTORY Of AN OPAL RING.
CHATTER xxx.

the morning after the ball. Bertha
awoke feeling as II what had occurred
must have been q dream. She seemed
scarcely to realize it all. scarcely fully
to comprehend the changes that might
come. Her lovers fond words rang in
her ears, filling her heart with a bliss
hitherto unkn0wn-that, at any rate,
was no dream, she told herself-and at
the same time what be had said re-
speeding her sisters marriage, vague as
it was, made her SILVER with alarm.
She knew not what to dread, on which
side the blow would fall, but the con-
victiOn took firm possession Of her that
something would yet intervene to break
off the match.
To her great Joy his letter arrived in
the afternoon, dispensing for the time
all doubts and fears. 1t was so sweet
to her to read over and over again the
assurance of his undying love, to dwell
upon his words of endearment. To be
his, to walk through life hand in hand
with him, was all she asked Of fate.
Even if heshould be obliged to leave
the country, as he had said might be
the case, was there not space enough in
the world where they might be happy
with each otherp
With these thoughts floating through
her mind she fell asleep at night. st.
Lawrence's letter clasped in her hand.
Lena brooded over her miseries, real
and imagined, after she went to bed,
till she could bear it no longer. She
rose. and, throwing dressing-gown
round her, she lighted her lamp, and
stole into Bertha's room. Standing by
the bedside, and shading the lamp with
her hand, she gazed upon the sleeper. -
A soft flush fingered on Bertha's cheeks,
happy smile on her lips
She softly drew the letter from be-
tween Bertha's loosened fingers, and,
setting down the lamp, unfolded the
note and read it through-read how ut
terly she had deceived herself; how en-
tirely the love she had been sinfully in
dulging in was vain; read also her own
condemnation in the part she was act
ing Tortured, self-accused, torn by
conflicting passions, she stood, not
knowing whether to 60 or stay, when
Bertha. reused by the light or by Lena's
movement, opened her eyes, and start
ed up in bed.
Lena she cried, what is the mat
ter2 Are you ILL.,"
III" returned Lena, with bitter
laugh. mo. What should make me
i'll when the browning day of my life
will be the day after tomorrow? But l
could not sleep; came here to ask you
something"
"What do you want to ask me?" in
quired Bertha. far from being treasured
BY her sisters manner. And then she
perceived that Lena had taken st. Law
rence's letter. She stretched out her
hand for it.
you shouldn't have taken that" she
said; tit was not intended for you TO
read"
"Why not2" asked Lena, in the same
bitter tone. "It is so exceedingly com.
plimentary to me-and one likes COM
pliments, you know. So it is you St.
Lawrence loved all along-and you
knew It'll" she went on, her hooking
tone changing to one Of anger.
mo; I did not know it till last night"
Bertha replied with a very bright
blush. AT one time l hoped 1t and
then l made up my mind I had been
mistaken when he no longer came to the
house."
And it was for Douglass sake he
stayed awsy-and Douglas loved you
tool Lena exclaimed. "Oh, Bertha,
why could you not have loved himp-
Why did you not marry himp" she cried
wildly. "Why need you have won St.
Lawrence too? He might have loved
me once"
LENA, are you madY" exclaimed
Bertha, looking with frightened eyes at
her sisters flushed and agitated counte-
nance. "What have you to do with St.
Lawrence's love? You are to be 9 bride
before many hours"
Lena pressed her hands to her tenn.
pies, and fell on her knees by the bed.
side.
"a bride-yesl have made nv
choice, haven't l? And would do the
same again. And yet l loved another
all the while. Bertha, you cannot mar
ry st. Lawrence" she went on in wild
voice; you shall not marry him. He
is disgraced man, going under an as
sumed name. Our mother will never
give her consent
You are speaking Of you know not
what, Lena" Bertha rejoined, with diff
iculty retaining her calmness. mo
disgrace can ever attach to Eustace st.
Lawrence. know the name he goes
by is not his own, but, If the mystery
that hangs over him should never be
cleared up, shall not doubt him. II
he called upon me to be his wife and to
follow him tomorrow, would 20 with
him with the most perfect trust to the
very ends OF the earth. But we are no,
thinking Of marrying yet" she added
checking herself in the gush of feelinl
that had prompted her words. "Ther(
Is no need to trouble mamma at pres.
ent."
II tell you you shall not marry him!
cried Lena, still more 1ercely, clutchins
the bedcl0thes In her hands, as sht
knelt. Why should you be happy ant
miserablep"
Lena, dear Lena, you don't know
what you say" Bertha returned, NOR,
and more frightened by her sister
manner. why should you be misera
blep You do not love Mr.. Fancourt
tell him so even now at the eleventh
hour-give up this hateful marriage
What does 1t matter what the worl,
may sayY We will 20 abroad for a Will
We will do anything you wish. Oh
Lena, listen to me, for the sake of YOU
life's happiness-for your souls peace
Bertha took her sisters cold hands i,
hers as she spoke, but Lena snatchel
them away.
"What will you do for meP" she de
manded. will you give UP St. Law