The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-07-16

Ing madame" in Heidelberg,
Perhaps II this had all happened
Two or three years ago. or in two or
three years time ! should have cried
but now | couldn't do IT,
feel too much excited, too anxious
for my own vindlcation. too much
wounded in my pride for tears!
But yet-ohl how | could have
cared!-how | could have cared!
CAS- usual I'll finish my diary when
the birthday Is over and the entry
can be complete!' VIII
anything ever be complete again2
Never! because
The Mendleigh house ball is over.
my blue chiffon gown is crushed, the
lilies in my hair and on my breast are
] dropping. the stars are paling. my
/ birthday is past, and-my life has be-
gun,
! hardly know how to chronicle it
all--but | must, One cannot break
| faith with a diary that is only written
once year,
! AT last came our waltz, and almost
before the music had fully come to
life we were reversing down the fa'
nous ballroom. while dead and gone
ruffled and doubletel Mendleighs
glared down al ms from the walls.
Directly the waltz was over he took
me 70 small ante-room--little more
than recess-which Is only known
20 +ba MprdIofab house iptinatec. and
then. sitting down by my side, waited.
as usual, Tor me TO begin TO walk
by the by, before we discuss the
the-hoor or the music. or attack any
other polite subject of conversation,
let me thank you for the sweet rose
ana the beautiful box" | said, with
brave effort at CHEEKY friendliness
George smiled swiftly CHS teeth are
perfect), and looked less Nap0leonic
than have ever seen him.
Many happy returns of your birth
day, Della" he said, with a passion
ate tenderness in his voice.
1t was wonderful 20 hear him speak
like that, and his eyes-oh could
those be the eyes that were 50 care
less ana cold as a rule?
For half a second forgot
madame in Heidelberg, and let my
gaNae meet his own.
Della" ne said. bending over me.
and speaking without emphasis, and
yet putting more strength into the
words than If they had been doubly
underlined Della. | love you much
more than | ever meant TO love any |
woman | never intended To love, be- |
cause | never intended TO marry; but
now-good heavens! find romance
in the idea of paying rates, and poetry |
in the notion of writing checks for |
rent And its you who have taught !
me, dearie Della, will you--will /
you"
Then suddenly | remembered /
Gretchen with the two plaits, and per /
haps-who knows-there might be a |
little Heinrich. or a small Lottchen,
or something terrible like that
How dare You be absolutely
Wicked" | cried. dashing up from the
seat and standing Indignantly before
him.
AT first he did not speak. but re-
NAMED sitting down and looking at
me in way that made me feel more
Of schoolgirl than ever felt in my
learning days
Then, after most inconsiderate
pause he rose and faced me.
81 had no intention OF being wicked, I
I assure you" he replied in the same
voice that he asks elderly ladies' II
they'll take tea or coffee. What have
done?' 4
"A good many things that it
be v-y-very reputable to
print. I've no doubt; but ! should
think it's about the worst when you
"a m-m-married man-ask me-a girl
to be your wife
For a second he looked contempla-
i've. then answered quietly:
Il don't fancy | did ask you to ,
20 my wife, and I feel quite certain
am not marfied-quite sure,'
Then how about madame in ,
heidelberg, whom you won't bring I
,yer again? And how about Lady I
3arnchester calling you bad hus-,
,and'?"
But as madame happens TO be !
ny cello. which | once took up with {
nch fervor that every one called her !
my wife (or 'madameD, ! cant see ,
low Il matters! Lady Manchester
an answe" for Dae. because she has =
10Th seen. and n,ard, madame. be- 5
ore tooF her back to Heidelberg =
I can hardly remember what hap {
ened next. | only known | felt that
he world was a sort of environ of 4
THE then I--I-heg your pardon =
h, so m-m-much." ! stammered. a
pray don't apologize, Shall we 90 q
ack 10 the ballroom
old he mean it2 Yes. his face was J.
rave. cold and iuscrutablel had =
,st my happiness, My heart must
~ to 20 to sleep againD
ayes. thanks. -
But couldn't go on. Something !,
anne before my eyes.