The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-12-08
D'ri and /
By IRVING BAcHELLER


Il knew 1t; am no fool" was her
answer. But | had to hear it from
YOU II is remarkable thing 10 do
but they are in such peril. think you
ought to know
She took the letter from her bosom,
passing it TO my hand. A faint odor
OF violets came with it. II read
My Dear Therese: | wish / could see
you, II only for an hour. | have so much
TO say. | have written your father of our
prison home. | am going TO write you OF
my troubles, You know what we were
talking about the last time ! saw YOU
myself and that handsome fellow Mon
neu, ! shall not name him II Is not
necessary. Well, you were right my
dear was a fool: l laughed at your
warnifs; | did not know the meaning or
that delicious pain But OH my friend,
IN has become terrible thing since
know may never see him again. My
heart is breaking with IT, Mere de Dieul
can no longer laugh or jest or pretend
TO be happy. What shall 1 say? That
had rather die than live without him?
No; that is not enough. | had rather be
an old maid and live only with the
thought OF him than marry another. ii
he were a king | remember those words
y
dear Thcrese. what a comfort they are
TO me now, | repeat them often II
could only say know. Alas can but
say, i do not know, nay. even. L do
not believe If | had not been fool /
should have made him tell me, for had
him over his ears in love with me one
day, or ! am no judge of a man Bot
you know. they are so fickle And then
the Yankee girls are pretty and so clever
Well, they shall not have him il / can
help IT, When / return there shall be
war IL necessary, between France ana
America And, Therese you know I have
the weapons, and sou have done me the
honor TO say | know how to use them
! have told Louise and-what do you
think?--the poor thing cried an hour
for pity Of me! As ever, she makes my
trouble her own. | have been selfish al.
ways but | know the cure fl Is love-
toujours ramour Now | think only OF
him, and he recalls YOU and your sweet
words. God make YOU a true propheti
with love to you and the marquis, kiss
each line. praying for happiness for you
and for him. Believe me as ever Your
aifectlohate. LOCISON."
rs feel better now | have told you.
| wonder what his lordship viii say
Poo" thing! he will read this he will
think me a fool. lch bien. have no bet
ter thought of him He can put me under
lock and key but he shall not imprison
my secrets; and II they bore him he
should not read my letters. L."
read ii thrice, and held it for a mo-
ment to my lips. Every word stung me
with the sweet pain that afflicted its
author. could feel my cheeks burn
ing
Ma mselle pardon me; II is not
she refers to. She does not say whom"
Surely" said Therese. flirting her
whip and lifting her shoulders.
"M'sieur lie Capitaine is never a stupid
man. You-you shotld say something
very nice now"
III it is THANK God Her misery
is my delight, her liberation my one
purpose
And my congratulations. said she,
irving me her hand "She has wit and
beauty, true heart, a great fortune.
and--good luck in having your love
Iraised my hat blushing TO the roots
of my hair
1T Is a pretty compliment" said
"ADd-and ! have no gift of speech to
thank you. | am not a match for you
except in my love of kindness and
and of Louison. You have made me
happier than have been before"
If have made you alert. ingenious,
determined. am content" was her
answer. II know you have courage"
And will to use it,
Good luck and adieul" said she,
withja fine flourish of her whip; those
people had always pretty politeness
OF manner.
"Adieu," said, lifting my hat as
rode off. with a prick of the spur, for
the road was long and had losa quite
Ealf an hour
My elation gave way 20 sober thought !
presently. began to think Of Louise |
that quiet, frank, noble. beautiful, !
great-hearted girl, who might be
suffering what trouble knew not. and I!
all silently. there in her prison home. !
4 sadness grew in me. and then sud-
denly saw the shadow of great trouble. |
loved them both; knew not which |
loved the better. Yet this interview !
had almost committed me TO Louison.