Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-15

stood1t all Resist could not, so listened,
terrified at those passionate denunciations Of
self in his choosing Ada, and bis mad, wild
love for me.
Hugh,n 1 said, when 1 recovered my
breath, listen; release me, let me speak only
moment; you will kill me!''
He unclasped his arms, and Irose.
20! Hugh, my brother" / said, this from
You, while Ada, my sister, is your wronged
wife. Let me go somewhere where l shall
never, never see you again!'
"No-nor' he begun fercely, ada is not
my wifei What do youthink shecares for me?
| will settle part of my fortune upon her; she
shall dress, attend balls and dinners. We
will take Percy and go away where none will
know us, and be happy-happy as l have not
been for many long day"
Hugh" Ireturned, do you want to send
me from your house tonight, wanderer?
Have you no ply for me, or has your unhal-
lowed love rooted ont all your kind and noble
feelings? Do not talk to me thus, or l viii go
forth into the street, find another home and
never look upon your face again.
Much of the wildness was gone, but he
went on, pleadingly:
"God only knows how dear you are to me,
May, and yet would suffer anything sooner
than you should be unhappy. Only tell me
this, and l will be content; say that if l had
asked your love in one of the pleasant hours
wife; say you loved me then"
/ shut my eyes--his tcifei o. what useless
sacrifice | made when | relinquished Hugh
Wiltons love. 1t almost maddens me to think
of it now. But saw the danger to both, and
answered, / trust wisely. o, those fearful
moments! l wondered how | could be so
calm, and reason with him, when my heart
was so full Already / had determined to find
another home, for felt how much better it
would be for all.
There was slow, heavy rumbling through
the street; it stopped at the house, anu the
door-bell was rung violently. We looked up
and saw the gray dawn glimmering through
the windows. Both said Adai"
In few moments Ada Wilton was brought
into the room she had so lately left in the
glow of health and beauty, her royal robes
torn and spotted with blood, her hair in disor-
der, her white, CHASTITY face, with its open
eyes, fearful to look upon. In returning home
from the ball, the coachman, who was intoxicat-
ed, had missed his way, and his horses, becom-
ing unmanageble, raced furiously through the
streets, breaking the carriage and killing both
the cOachman and Ada's friend, Mrs. Harlowe;
and Ada! She was not quite dead. The doc
tor came and dressed her wounds, though her
external injuries were few; but he only said:
She may last day or two, perhaps"
l shudder to think of those terrible days
when Ada lay between life and death. Hugh
seemed to forget even Percy's existence, as he
sat by the bed and watched her breath come
and go slowly. Then there was change
hardly for the better, for fever ragged through
every pulse that had been so calm.
i used to wonder if Ada ever thought she
was losing Hugh's love. Now she begged
and implored him so piteously to love her
not to send her away; she would give up all
for him-her friends, her position, her gay So
ciptV 90 anywhere he sand If he w0ul6 only
love her; and he hanging over her in an ago
ny of grief poured forth his own remOrse and
contrition. | had DO fear, then, how il
would be if God restored her to him. And
He, in His infinite mercy did. Spring whis-
pered of coming joys ere Ada could rise from
her bed; but her recovery. If hot rapid, was at
least sure. An understanding took place be-
tween her and Hugh, though she blamed her
self severely as being the cause of all their
GOODNESS. 1t was a severe ordeal, but it called
forth all the truth, nobleness and energy of
Ada's nature, and made her true woman,
with the heart of a wife and mother. One
day Hugh came in my room, and, sitting
down spoke of that fatal evening. He was
very simple and manly about it, and ready to
make any Acknowledgements: if ! thought it
better we would go to Ada and tell her.
revolved the subject in my mind few
moments, then said
. 1t had better be forgotten between us two,
for it would add to Ada's selfreproach in not
caring more for your love"
He bowed his head, and, after moment,
rejoined-
Zone thing more, May; promise me you
will call my house your home until a husbands
love wins you from it,"
said would. | felt how dear it was, then,
in that it had a mother and sister.
We were happy after that. | think we all
understood better what life really was. Ada,
in her fervent gratitude, tried earnestly to fill
her station, and she succeeded. We never
told her how near Percy came to death; and
though we all shuddered when we thought of
that fearful night, still its heavy trials purified
our hearts; and, after n while, we kept the
day in our minds as one keeps place where
they have passed great dangers Hugh was
fitted for her, and she for him, and it satisfied
me. Even Jennie, nice as her views of mar
ried life We're, owned TO me she thought Ada
a model wife and mother.
A long while after this Hugh received a
letter from his brother. The Turkish wife
had gone to her dreamless sleep years before;
he had roamed about until he was weary, and
now he was coming home. Hugh went to
meet him-The evening we expected them
home we sat by the window and watched till
the sun died away and the purple twilight fell
down like curtain over all. Then Ada grew
restless with her wifely anxieties We sat
talking, forgetful of the lights, until there
was a stir in the hall; then she sprang up,
saying. joyfully. "They have come!"
| had the baby in my arms, but went out
also. There was Hugh, tall and manly, not
whit the sufferer for having a handsome
brother beside him. When he said "My wife,
Percy" the arms were folded around baby
and me.
''Percy what a mistake. That's our little
- tbat I oil
trouble" exclaimed Hugh.
"Well!'' and Percy surveyed the group, ''all
can say is. she has kiss that belongs To you.
Mrs. Wilton, for Hugh has been so extrava-
CANT in your praises. and described you so
often that l came prepared to surrender at
once"
Thinking l was tiny little woman with
golden ringlets." and Ada laughed.
Percy looked serious about it, then said,
slowly. perhaps | can get the kiss back"
SO they laughed over it, and had merry
time that made us feel toward Percy as an
old friend Immediately. In many points he re-
sembled Hugh, though his gay manner and
love of mischief was quite different; but he
had that strong, habitual self-reliance, with
which Hugh had first won Ada's love.
A family party welcomed the wanderer home.
Her cousins, Marion, Jennie and Grace, came
with their husbands and children-Jeanie no
wise disappointed in PERCY
s.lf l did not know what a strange little
being you are, | should try matchmaking
again" she said, laughingly.
was older, it is true. but they all said
prettier than | used 10 be- | know 1 had
more self-possession, perhaps higher estimate
of my own attraction; yet if felt sure of
Percy's love, l did not think it would have
added TO my happiness then.
/ except you are waiting to hear me say |
married Percy. Even SO, though l cannot tell
how it happened. The days passed by, all
delightful in themselves, until one came which
seemed better than the rest. wherein he told
his love and asked me TO become his wife, /
thought of Hugh, Ada and the children; then
felt that loved him better than all these