Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-07-03

said Il was only The cold weathsg, when sum.
mer came should be we'll enough.
On my return saw that Ada and Hugh
had not let the time pass by Idly. Now my
presence was not so much sought after, end
when left them alone they seemed satisfied
with the reason gave. One thing troubled
me now, and that was Jennie's marriage. She
wrote for me to come and spend ct least two
weeks with her, longer II l could. What
should I doH
only asked the question . few times. One
day In walking stepped on some little thing
and slipped, though it did not seem to hurt
me much ct the time. In little while !
found my aDcle was spraiDed-Quite badly,
the doctor said, and il would be several weeks
ere would be able 70 walk. ! wrote TO Jen.
ME relating the accident, and begging her TO
accept Ada's services, telling her Il wOulbbe
better, for suspected they loved each -OtheF.
She sent me speedy answer. Had her cOus-
in Hugh proved traitOrOUs 10 me, II 70, he and
Ada might go, where, she cared not, only no
one should ever treat her little May badly;
truly must tell her II Hugh Wilton ever
asked my love or not.
felt thankful that could say truly he had
not More than ever | wanted ell 70 think
highly of him, for l felt he was noble and
good. think satisfied Jennie that we had
not loved each other, while he and Ada's love
was tho most natural event In the world
She sent for them TO come, and Ada made
her preparations with the same joyful heart
that she had carried to Saratoga.
Let me close the book Of my life for those
few weeks. Hugh and Ada returned engaged.
Hugh sOon told me he was to be my broth
or, that was to live with them when they
had house Of their own, and made this the
cause Of his playfully AtEectionate manner to
me, while gradually fell into sisterly way
of treating him. In Ada, however, there
seemed change, sometimes asked mysel.
il she was perfectly satisfied In her love, for
her strange manner troublcdm me. BY degrees
faint surmise crept into my heart; but 1t
first l banished 1t as unworthy Of Ada, and
80 unjust TO lne.
One evening it came out. We were sitting
on the soia-HUgh in the middle, with one
arm partly around my neck, whispering to
me Of pleasant little surprise he had in store
for Ada. She had been leaning her head on
his shoulder; but presently she raised it and
somewhat detiantly, resisted his attempts to
restore it tO,its usual resting place. ] felt sor-
ry We were talking; and when, moment af-
ter, she gathered up her dress and swept out
Of the room 10 scOrnfulIy, knew, then, what
it was; but grief, moro Chan surprise, kept
me quiet For sometime he continued his
conversation, then asked suddenly, where
Ada had gone. felt glad Of an excuse to
leave him, 80 went in search Of her. stood
at the door Of our room, trembling, fearing
almost to enter, and when l did, there lay
Ada on the bed, her face buried IN her hands.
"Ada, said, with Q strange calmness,
'"Ada, 20 down stairs; Hugh wants YOU.
She raised her head-in all her life she had
never been angry with me before. i"
"You can go to Hugh, she began in quick
excited tones, "yON, with your soft Winning.
treaclerOus ways; and you when you have
done your work, when you have won
from me the only blessing my life holds, the
love l would die for, you may laugh over the
ruin you have made, and think that Ada,
with all her beauty, ell her true love, was nc
match for you. g"
l was the stronger, then, and said slowly
" Let Ine hear your accusation In different
words, Ada, il you have any to mske. "
"A Any to makei 0 no; y0u are limo.
ccnce ITSELF Hugh Wilton I'D love me once
but nOw-"and the naughty ZIP curled scOrn
fully.
"Hugh Wilton loves you now--you arc his
promised wife he wants you 60 to him.
And when do you will come and try tO
mako him love you.
" Hush, AdaI " said; "God knows !
have never tried to make him love me. He ID
brother to me he can never be anything
more.
But there was an old love between you,
and you are trying TO get IL back. VI you
cannot blind me; was an idiot to love him. '
"Thore never was an old love between US,
| said somewhat quickly; I" IL he had wanteC
to marry me he certainly would not have
asked you 70 become his wife before he knew
whether loved him or not"
She came and took both Of my hands, look
ing steadily into my eyes, and said
May, did Hugh never tell you that b
loved your Did you never have dream
that one day you might become his wifef"
God gave me strength to stand there, calm
ly, and bear her cruel questioning-what
lad dreamed was buried down in my hear
80 l answered:
-' No, Ada; Hugh never asked INC to b
anything but = sister,"
She looked curiOuSly at me for . while
then turned and went down without word
Another dream oflife was gone-alasi wha
WAo ACtS uVW OuAy bVuSNN1C-oiCaAy iOiC
lincss Why should be shut off from tn
beautiful things Of life, having only its toll
and weary burdcnsY And Ada, for who's
dear sake had taken up the heaviest cross O
life, even she had ceased to love mel di,
not weep; only sat there in silence, feeling
for the fist time in my life, 1t was not SO haT'
to die young. Then Ada came up again. He
eyes were full Of tears and putting her arm
around me, and said, implOringly:
"Come down. May; Augh wants yOu."
mo" said, let IL all 60 now, Ada; yoV
are to be married soon, and then will go ant
live with Arthur. You and Hugh will bc s
happy-forget ali about me-"
"Ol May, Mayl' and the beautiful face
wet with tears, was laid against my cheek, ''
am 60 sorry for what I said, and he would nc
rest till told you Of It Ever since Jenni
Wilde's marriage hAye been tortured by
horrible fear that you loved him when 20
met him there, until have almost hated yo,
but let it be forgotten, forgiven; only com
down and tell him that have not forfeited q
your love-"
went down with her. Hugh looked Anl
ious, stern, might say, and though he too
Ada in his arms, not ! feature Of his face II
laxed as he said
my naughty little girl has bean -tellin
me what she said to YOU. will YOU fOrKek q