The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-06-25

yielding effort on her part was necessary to
bring the Doctor to her side.
Choosing her costume for the evening,
Ada arrayed herself with great care, and in
a style that she believed would attract at.
tcntion. The fashion Of her dress was that
OF a hundred years ago, and tho material a
rich old brocalc in which her grandmother
had danced tleminuet many time, in her
younger days.
Calm in her conscious power, Ada Joined
the company at her friends and her quick
eyes soon made known the fact that DR..
Bedford was already present. Her heart
beat quicker, and tho color of her cheeks
grew deeper; but no one could read in her
well-schooled face, a trace of what was
passing in her mind. No long time passed
before the young doctor was thrown near
her, so near thata sign of recognition be-
came necessary. He spoke to her, but in
manner that sent nervous chill to her
heart. Not that he was studiedly polite or
cold; not that he manifested resentment,
but in his eye, voice, face and manner, was
language she could read, and it told her
that to him she WAS no longer an object Of
interest.
For this she was, Of all things, least pre-
pared. She had never felt towards any
one as she felt towards this young man
and now when the first wel-groundcd fear
of losing him stole through her bosom, she
became inwardly agitated, and in spite of
| every effort to contro! herself, manifested
too plainly the fact that she was ill at ease.
Fancy parties were novelties at that time,
and all, except Ada, who usually led off on
festive occasions, entered into the spirit Of
the hour. Even DR.. Bedford appeared to
enjoy himself as much as any. But the
beautiful coquctte, whose peculiar style of
costume attracted all eyes, had for once,
lost the gay exterior for Which she was ever
distinguished, and there were but few pres
cnt 10y whom this was not remarked.
Once or twice Ada was thrown directly
into the company of DR.. Bedford, when he
treated her with an ease and plotenees that,
more than anything else, tended to extin-
guish the hope that had arisen into a fame
in her heart. Had he manifested any emo
ton, had he looked grave, troubled, indig-
nant, proud, naughty, or anything else but
calmly Indifferent and sci possessed, Ada
would have felt sure of her power over him.
But perception of the real truth was as
distinct to her as if the most emphatic
words, scaling her fate, had been uttered in
her ears.
Earlier than the rest, Ada retired, unable
longer to control herself as she could wish,
and unwilling to expose to eyes already
too observant, the change that had come
over her feelings
From that hour, Ada Glenn ceased to be
the gay, buoyant, attractive girl, who had
extorted admiration from so many, and
trifed in her vain pride thoughtlessncss,
with all. She rarely went into company,
and then her sober mein left her usually in
the, background.
Tie lively belle, in few months, ceased
to attract attention; and young men who
had been captives at her feet, wondered
why she had exercised such power over
| them.
AS for Bedford. lie errod i'll believing
that with a single dash of the will, he had
cffaced forever the image of Ada from his
mind. Wounded pride and honest indig
| nation had raised him in moment, su-
perior to the weakness of his nature. But
a long period did not pass, before line after
line began to reappear, and before he was
really aware Of what was going on within,
he found himself gazing upon the image
Of the maiden distinct as ever upon his
heart.
The discovery, when first made, was far
from being pleasant TO the young man,
and he turns from the fair image with i'm
patient scorn. But turn which way lie
would, it was still before him. Occasion
ally, lie heard Of Ada greatly changed, and
sometimes he was thrown into company
with her, when the change was apparent to
his, own eyes. These meetings, whenever
they took place, left him in musing, so.
-ber state. There was something about
Ada that still interested him and when, as
it occasionally happened, he looked sud-
denly towards her, and met her eyes fixed
intently upon him with sad earnest, tender
look, he had feelings that he was hardly
able understand.
Thus affairs progressed, until, uuexpec-
tedIy, the yuong people found themselves
brought together in picnic. Or. Bed
ford was less displeased at this circumstance
than he would have been a few months
earlier; but lie was careful not to throw
himself purposely in Ada's Away, for bis
selfpossession and cool Indifference. 80 IA,