The Cairo bulletin., 1909-05-08
How the
Dreams Faded


locked door, was walking restiessl!
up and down.
He was the Uncle Berthe whom
the children alternately adored ant
tormented He was the handsome
bachelor brother of pretty Mrs. Sar
toris, come to preside over IVES
Lawn since Mr.. Sartoris death. a
rich, masterful, elegant man, who hac
fallen desperately in love with the
governess, and had been accepted by
her "a hours before,
Beulah had locked herself in hel
room, daring for the first time in those
"a hours-yes, for the first time since
Albert Alsager had shown his arden'
admiration, three months beIore-te
look matters straight in the face.
And she saw two undeniable facts IL
that unshrinkiug. steadfast, stubborn
gaze. One that never again in all hel
life would such a wonderful good Tor
tune come to her as this that Al
sager had laid, with pleadings anc
kisses, at her feet q hours before Io
be rich. so influential, to lead such
luxurious life, not one gifl-one poor
obscure grim 10000 would ever
have such a chance.
But then that other fact-that when
Vernon had sailed. one year before
he had taken her solemn promise.
When he returned, June 24-and TO
day it was June %.
If she had been true to her own
heart true to her womanhood, Al
sagers declaration would never have
left his lips but it was enough that
she had not been true, and now she
was in a place where there was to be
a terrible contest between ambition
and affection
What should she DO?
And as If in answer she heard heE
name called from the lawn below. and
she saw Alsager standing in the
shade
Come down, Beulah. want you in
the library
And her heart gave a prideful thrill
at the sight Of him. but not the
same fierce, passionate sensation that
always throbbed over her when Pierce
Vernon looked at her Yes. she would
go down to him. tell him all about it
My own darling, How wanted
you, Beulah-how | wanted to have
you just where you are now. where
you belong!"
And when he pressed his kisses
warm and lingering on her lips Beu
Ian tried to free herself.
do brighten you? I don't mean
to, dear" he said tenderly. "Or don't
you love me-"
Il want to tell-you-something-
first she said in little gasps Of
shrinking dismay, now that the crisis
had come.
You may tell anything you like,
he said. except you don't love me
l think, however, | can guess. You
are afraid maybe. you have not been
quite fair with that other one Yer.
non, think was his name"
He is coming tomorrow" she
whispered
That will be disappointment to
him." he said. "Beulah, how sorry |
Peel for him, How sorry | feel for
every other man who has not won
your love! wonder If it is possible
for me to be jealous of Vernon? Beu.
lah, may | see him for you when he
comes?'
Yes, tell him what you please she
said quickly, almost defantly, after
that little, low-breathed hesitatine
yes. And must go now-I must 90,
-Four o'clock Of the morrow,
Had Pierce come? Had he heard all
about it? Had he got the death blow
to his hopes and happiness?
Then, just in sight Of West Lawn
gates, again she saw Alsager standing
on the cliff, the furious east wind
blowing the salt spray in his face, as,
glass in hand, he stood watching what
appalled, her TO sea fiimsy little
boat in which one man, all alone, was
trying TO make the shore.
And then she saw the face of the
man in the boat.
Save him. Save him, Don't let
him perish. Mr. Alsager, for God $
sake, save him! He was coming to
met
And in the shrek of horror and
yearning. the look in her face. in her
eyes. Alsager knew it was Pierce Yer
non she loved better than him.
Go on" she cried. Don't you see
he is perishing? Piercel Pierce,"
And she shouted out his name wildly. |
keep up your courage; help is com
ing"
She saw Alsager spring into the lit |
tie boat, rocking in the surf; she saw
him push of, as if into the very jaws
Of death.
Only an hour later-that to Beulah |
seemed an eternity-and then Mrs.
sartoris came to her, colder, statelier |
than ever.
My brother has revived. and all |
danger is past, and he desires me to |
convey to you this message-that you 4
will consider the past 40 hours as
though they had not been, so far as he |
is concerned, while you will allow |
ME to suggest that l can fill your posi- !
a.