The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-07-02

CelNe n OlOW OF Tie SeHefeSt KIM, and one,
the pain Of which he was not likely soon to
forget. 'tu -
From the dwelling of Ada, DIR. Bedford
retired to his office with his mind greatly
excited There he found young friend,
with whom he was intimate, and to whom,
as he could not hide his feelings, he commu.
nicated in confidence the result Of his inter-
view with. Ada. TO his surprise, the friend
said:
can hardly pity you, Doctor. I saw
you were pleased with that gay flirt, who is
fascinating enough; but l did not dream
that you wero serious in your attentions to
one known everywhere as most heartless
coquetie."
DIR. Bedford looked surprised. "Are you
in earnest = he said.
In earnest? Certainly! Didn't YOU
know that this was her character?"
e" had not the most remote suspicion"
Strange that it should not have come to
your ears can point to you three she
has Tilted, within my own knowledge"
If that is her clsracter," said the doc.
tor, rallying himself with strong effort at
self'control, and speaking in composed and
resolute voice, 4" l will at once obliterate her
rest there. l did not love Ada, but a fair
ideal OF womanly virtue that vainy be-
heved she embodied" .
=" fou are right. She is not worthy of
yoa, my friend, beautiful, intelligent and iu-
tercsting us she is"
No. She is utterly unworthy. Fortu.
nate am that she did not accert my offer"
1t required, on the part of Ada, strong
effort TO assume towards DR.. Bedford q false
exterior, and when he withdrew from her
presence, composed and dignied in his man.
ner, she more than half regretted her folly.
But she forced back this feeling with a cav
smile and toss Of the head, saying half
aloud, :.
Hell be here again before week goes
by" '".
But Ada WAS slightly in error. The week
passed without bringing her lover, And so
wen: 10y two, three, and four weeks. But
vain Of her power over the other sex, Ada
still endeavored to maintain confident spir-
u, though there were times that the sudden
thought that DIR. Bedford would never again
seek TO win her favor, made the blood gath.
er a chill around her heart. i" - 8
About this time, n friend gave little
fancy dress party, and Ada learned, much
TO her real delight, that the individual who,
of all others, had most struck her fancy, was
TO be present. This was to afford the first
opportunity for meeting, since her half
naughty repulse, the man who had offered
her, in all sincerity, a true and loving heart
An oyerweeniug vanity made Ada conf
dent Of her power over any Of the sterner
sex and that she believed that only a slight
yielding effort on her part was necessary to
bring the Doctor 10 her side. b.
Choosing her costume for the evening
Ada arrayed herself with great care, and in
style that SHE believed would attract at
tention. The fashion Of her dress was that
OF hundred years ago. and the material a
rich old brocade in which her grandmother
had danced the minuet many n 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 DIR.
Bedford was already present. Her heart
beat quicker, and the color of her cheeks
grew deeper but no one could read in her
well-schoolcd face, n trace Of what was pass
ing in her mind. No long time passed be-
fore the young doctor was thrown near her.
so near that sign Of recognition became
necessary. He spoke to her, but in a man
ner tina: sent nervous chill 10 her heart.
Not that he was studiedly polite or cold !;
not that he manifested resentment, but in
his eye, voice, face and manner, was Ian
guage she could read, and it told her that
to him she was no longer an object of inter
est. ',~sSs -aSs.-
For this she was, of ali things least pre-
pared. She had never felt towards any one
as she felt towards this young man; and
now, when the first well grounded fear of
losing him stole through her bosom, she be.
came inwardly agitated, and in spite of eve
~ effort to coutroi herself, manifested too
plainly the facttfat she was il, 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 DIR. Bedford appeared to
enjoy himself as much as any. But the
beautiful coquette, whose peculiar STYLE OF
costume ATTRACTED, all eyes, had for once lost
the gay exterior for which she was ever dis.
tingiishea, and there were but few present
by whom tiiiswas not remarked. 80.
Ouce' or twice Ada, was drown directiy
into che company Of DIR. Bedford, when he
| ira tan I..e