The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-08-05

clear that one seemed % look through
lbcn mo soul troubled by MANY
| doubts and stirred By many longings--
truthful. aspiring, honest and pure, dread
inc no scrutiny. harboring no evil, desir-
ipp but good. The thick masses OF hair
brushed from her wide forehead were
lightly strcabed with gray above the
temples.
Mrs Dumbarton declined the coffee
when served.
Il dare not drink it after four o'clock
or / should be stretched upon rack,
She explained
"Of thought" he suggested, raising
his eyes to hers,
YES, | sleep badly.
Il felt sure you were unwell. You
have worked too hard"
Il am always like this when ! have
come to the end OF a book; writing IS
such a strain upon the nerves.
81 have seldom seen you look so Ill,
he remarked grayely
"For the past week ! have been ter
ribly depressed without apparent cause
The very silence Of the house weighed
upon me. The atmosphere doomed tuil
az tragedies il seemed as If something
lreadful might happen at any moment or
every hour
"Overwrought nerves. wish you
were coming with me to Egypt Think OF
it, I'll put off my journey to suit your
convenience; it will do you all the good
IN the world Come"
Impossible. Next month Veronica
and / may ran over TO Paris, Of which
mn so fond
'srhe present is the time YOU most need
-hqage,' lie urged earnestly.
"llow delightful We should see tn
1yramids and cames and the desert, SAID
Veronica, her face Frightening.
There are many reasons why can
not leave home at present, replied the
authorcss. perhaps next year
Better come now interrupted Valer-
ius. who knows what may happen be-
tween this and next year."
Who knows" she repeated, absently
DO come"
Il cannot. And now, Veronica, your
hour has struck said Mrs. Dumbarton
looking at the clock
The girl rose without a murmur
Goodnight, mother, dear she said
Goodnight my darling, and may God
bless YOU
TT win be goodnight and good-by to
me- said GaIbraith, as, bending down, nc
kissed the girls forehead
10 think" said Mrs Dumbarton, a
the door closed upon her daughter, that
She IS just seventeen, the age at which
| was married 1t was wrong to sane
ton such marriage; what was | but
child who did not know my own
mind?'
but nothing would dissuade you from
marrying him. Surely you cannot forget
how tried-how your mother
Eyes, | know" she replied, with 2
movement Of impotence, 'and how
have suffered for my obstinacy. The
punishment seems out of proportion to
the fault AT times | grow rebellious
at my fate"
where is he now"
In London"
'Whatw exclaimed Nalerius, starting.
Il thought he had left England.
"He did six months ago, but he has
returned | had letter from him yes
terday."
"Beggingi"
Demanding"
"And your" Valerius said, anxiously
Il made no reply"
Olive" said Galbraith, in low, car
nest voice. I'll is not yet too late, Take
the advice of your friend, Of your only
relative. Divorce this sooundrel who has
ruined your life
A half-stiiied sob, more piteous than
cry, was her only response.
HE has squandered your fortune IN
vice" continued Valerius. eXcitedly He
has well-nigh starved you and your child !;
he has heaped insult and injury upon
YOU. and then deserted you-divoree
him ~ .
NO" she answered, in voice strained
from her struggle with emotion You
know my ideas on the subject are old
fashioned. He is the father Of my child,
and il only for her sake | could not
make his infamy public. dare not state
what ! have suffered. ] shrink from
| holding up my wrongs 20 the view Of
a curious. morbid and hooking public.
"The matter would be forgotten in a
month"
81, whom it most concerned, could
never forget Besides. ! see no adv2n-
tage to be gained / have bought his
| consent to a legal separation, so that he
| cannot harm me any more
as there no other reason for YOU to
desire a divoree?" Galbraith asked in a
still graver voice that trembled in antici-
patton Of her reply.
None" she answered, without hest
/ tat.on
Nalerius quivered as IL he had received
a blow: and then. after a seconds sil-
euce, be half reluctantly rose TO take
his leave. She stood up likewise, and
for a second he looked into her eyes
freightod with pain patiently borne. Their
with an air Of dependency he turned
| from her.
"You will let me hesr from you now
and them" she said, understanding hii
feelings and wishing 20 soothc him %
the hour Of their parting
"Of course. ! viii write regularly
And il ever YOU need me. Olive, sene
but a word and I viii come 70 You
wherever may be Remember.
Thank you, thank you. Naierius, sh,
replied warmly as she held out her hand
! "Good-by, and = pleasant journey
I CT III