Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-11-26
From Petsrson's Ladies' National Magazine
THE EN- ERALD RING.
ny L. OLIVIA HUNTER.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER ILL.,
Just six months after the events recorded in the
last chapter, Edith CORTLAND was sitting in her
boudoir, apparently engaged in deep and painful
meditation, when servant entered and presented
to her a note. 1t was from her FRIEND Viola Lam
DOR announcing the sudden and dangerous indis
position Of her sister Ada, who had ruptured blood
vessel. 1t concluded by informing her that Ada
had not many hours to live and desired her to
instantly 10 the sufferer, who wished particularly TO
see her.
Edith was greatly affected at this unexpected in
teence for Ada Lander had long been her most
intimate and best loved friend But feeling that
no time was to be lost in lamentations, she imme-
diately equipped herself for a walk and was soon
at the residence of Mrs Lander.
Upon a low couch in the same apartment where
first introduced her to the reader pale and death
like. lay the once proud and beautiful Ada Lander.
Her sister Viola was seated in one corner of the
room, her head bowed and her slight frame con-
yused with grief-and several other members of
the household were moving noiselessy about, while
beside the bed knet the hearstrcken mother
Suddenly the door was opened and Edith Court
land entered. Softly advancing toward the couch,
she pressed her lips upon the pallid brow Of the
suffering girl, and burning tears streamed from her
eyes as she murmured forth few words expressive
of her deep aud bitter grief at behodng her thus.
4 have sent for you, Edith said Ada in low,
hollow tone, 4 have sent for you because could
not die happy unless revealed TO you something
which concerns your future happiness. Bid them
all retire from the room-all but my ssier-and
then you shall listen TO what have to say
Edith did as she desired aud when all had
Withdrawn, and Viola and herself were alone with
Ada, the latter continued-'Eduh you have evei
loved and regarded me as a frend-would you be
lieve il IshouId now assert that have acted the
part of an enemy toward YOU
Dearest Ada-do not suppose | could be guilty
of such thought the reply, and Edith seized
the speakers hand and tenderly pressed it. As sht
did so a slight shiver passed through her friends
frame.
Take your hand away, Edith she murmured ir
broken voice, Il am unworthy that 1t should
touch my own And as she uttered these word
she gently released her hand from Edths grasp
oh 2 she continued, how will you loalhe ant
despise me when you learn that have deeply in
lured you-that have caused you weary months
Of anguish-thai have been the destroyer Of you
hearts dearest hopesp
Ada Ada what mean you grasped Edith
her cheek grew colorless, and her eyes rivet
ted whlan agonizing gaze upon her friend.
, 1T is all too true, Edith-but before / proceed
10 explain, ] would have you answer me a singh
question. Have you always loved, and do you still
| love Walter Clayton? But there was no reply
and Ada resumed-'you do not speak, Edith, bu
| know that you still love him, though, alas
have learned it 100 late And now let me comics
to you what has never before passed my lips-tha
: also have loved him-yes, loved him far bette
than aught else on earth
Il was just fifteen years of age when Waite
Clayton left New York to travel in Europc-bu
i though was then SO young, | felt his loss mo.
deeply. At that time | did not understand m
i feelings towards him, but he was constantly in m
II thoughts, and it was only when he returned home
5, aler absence of four years, that became awar
that was never happier than when in his presenct
a heard him request my sister in a testing tone I
!. select him wife, and when, as you will remeu
n Der, on the evening of my birth night party, Vol
s. informed you whom she had chosen, my heart wa
y Immediately filled with thousand jealous thought
! resolved that you should never be united 10 him
e for if you were, felt that | should be eiernall
9, wre,ched. And yet, Edith, you were very dear
, me, and would have reoiced to have behed yo
;, happy with any one but him. The evening of n,
f. birih-nigh party was far from being as il shoul
2 have been, happy one to me- On the contrary,
!, was perfectly miserable. | saw him introduced
ID you by my siser-I felt that he delighted vii
IS your appearance, aud during the whole of that
n' ing beheld him your constant attendant, waite
II ing your ercry look and action with a lovers ca
nest gaze aud you also, who were generally