The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-10-13
BY ROBERT
LOUIS
STEVENSON

Blill one loot upon the threshold uut
the other raised In the air. The mex
instant he was on his knees to Mr.
vandcieur.
Father" he cried LET me, too, hell
you. will do what you wish and asi
no questions. l will obey you with my
life. Treat me as a son. and you viii
find have sons devotion"
A deplorable explosion OF oaths was
the dictator's first reply.
''i5on and futher" he cried. "Fathei
and son? What dashed unnatural
comedy is all this? How do you come
in my garden? What do you want
And who, in Gods name, are YOU"
Francis, with stunned and shame
faced aspect. got upon his feet again
and stood In silence.
Then light seemed to break upon
Mr.. Nandeleur and he laughed aloud
geour. Very well, Mr.. Scrymgeour.
Let me tell you In few words how
you stand. You have entered my pri-
rate residence by force, or perhaps by
fraud, but certainly with no encour-
agenent from me. and you come at a
moment of some annoyance, guest
having tainted at my table, TO besiege
me with your protestations. You are
no son of mine. You are my brothers
bastard by flshwife. If you wan: to
know. | regard you with an ildiffer-
ence closely bordering on aversion. and
hat 4 Of
judge your mind to be exactly suit
able to your exterior. | recommend
you these notifying reflections for
your leisure, and, in the meantime, let
me beseech you TO rid US of your pres
ence. Ii We're not occupied" added
the dictator, with a terrifying oath, Il
should give you the unholiest dlub-
bing ere you went.
Francis listened in profound humilia-
ton. He would have fed had it been
possible: but, as he had no means of
leaving the residence into which he had
do no more than stand foolishly where
he was.
1t was Miss Nandeleur who broke
the silence. Father" she said, you
speak in anger Mr.. Scrymgeour may
have been mistaken. but he meant well
and kindly"
Thank you for speaking" returned
he dictator. you remind me Of some
her observations which | hold 1t n
int Of honor to make to Mr.. Scrym-
Sur My brother" he continued, adj
dssing the young man. has been
fosh enough to give you an allow
an, He was foolish enough and pre-
suntuous enough to propose match
betsen you and this young lady. You
Wertexhibited to her two nights ago.
a.id Rejoice to tell you that she reject
Cd thidea with disgust. Let me add
that lave considerable inAiencs with
your Finer, and 1t shall not be my
fault ikol are not bcGgared of your
allowans and sent back to your scriv
ening erehe week be out"
The to;s Of the old mans voice were,
If possibi more wounding than his
language. Frands felt himself ex-
posed TO I'll most cruel, blghtlng and
unbearable Npntemlt His head turn
cd, and he ovored his face with his
hands, utteriis at tlr same time tear
less sob of agay. BIT Miss Vandeleur
once again inttfered N his behalf.
Mr.. Scrymgbur," sac said, speaking
In clear and eyu tones you must not
be concerned atmy faher's harsh ex-
pressions. fei no disgust for you.
ON the contrary. askedan opportuni
~ to make your better acquaintance.
AS for what has pissed tnight. believe
me IL has filled ny mild with both
pity and esteem"
Just then Mr.. Rolls male convul-
sive movement of his arm, which con-
WINGED Francis that h. was only drug
ged and was beginning to throw Off the |
influence of the opiatel Mr. Vandeleur |
stopped over him and examind his face |
for an instant.
Come, come" cried Le, Rising his |
head. Let there be an END of this. |
And, since you are so pleased with his
conduct, Miss Yandelour. take candle |
and show the cur 0uty'
The young lady FASTENED to oSey 4
THANK you,' said Francis as soon as
he was alone with her In the sarden.1
Il thank you from my soul. THIS has
been the bltterest evening of nv life, |
but 1t viii have always one pleasant
recollection"
Il spoke as felt" shcreplied, and in |
Justice TO you. 1t made my heart sorry |
that you should be SO unkindly used"
BY this time they bad reached the |
garden gate, and Miss yandeleur, hav-
ing set the candle on the ground, was
already unfastening the bolts
zone word more" said Franeis. |
This is net for the last time sliill
see you again. shall | not = |
"Alas." she answered. you have
heard my father What can | do but
obeyT"
'"Tell me at least that IT is not with
your consent" returned Francis. Tell
me that you have no wish to see the
last of me-
Indeed" replied she. Il have none. /
You seem to me both brave and hon.
est
Then" said Francis, give me a
keepsake"
Sic paused for a moment. with her