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

treated Ada very tenderly; never felt till
then how entirely he loved her; for with his
censure he praised her truthfulness in coming
to him with her troubles, and In so bravely
bearing her faults. We parted very happily
that night; and after he had gone, Ada chung
to me almost in humility.
If there had been any thought in my mind
concerning Hugh Wilton's love, all was quiet
now. 1 turned resolutely away from the
past, and busted myself in preparation for the
future. Ada was to be married shortly.
Mother was anxious to return to the country,
so Hugh began to prepare house for his
bride. She was happy as a bird in all this
pleasurable tumult.
Aunt Wheedon came, bringing beautiful
set of Jewels and superintendent Ada's
preparations delighted that she was to make
such good marriage. Then came the grand
event itself; the beautiful bride was kissed
and congratulated. and started on her tour
with many warm, sincere wishes.
All summer we Travelled; it was late in the
fall ere we were settled at home. Everything
that wealth, aided by a well cultivated taste,
could procure was brought to surround Ada,
and amid it all she was supremely happy;
perhaps a trife gayer than Hugh approved
of-but then, she was so young SO lovely,
that he had no heart to check her.
By-and-by there came a little guest-Percy
he was called, after the twin-brother, who,
in a far country. seized with pity for beauti-
full Turkish slave girl, bought and married
her. They said the little Percy resembled
him, except that he had my golden curls.
| could not tell why this should open
new era to my life, but, it was so; and at
times, felt he belonged more to me than
the mother who bore him, for her heart was
not in his life She loved him very dearly
because he was her child, and so handsome,
withal; but in the midst of his caresses, she
would think of a new dress. or promised
call on some OF her fashionable friends, and
give him to me, saying. playfully, she never
could be SO good a nurse as l..
could see that Hugh was disappointed in-~
his married lite. He wanted a quieter home.
a wife who sometimes would devote herself
to him but Ada would devote herself to the
gay world beyond. Even when Hugh re-
monstrated she teased, or became proud
and imperious, but always gained her own
WILL Once tried to reason with her; but
she said. little pettishly.
"YOu don't know anything about it, May;
you have quiet tastes. and don't like company:
it's real delight with me. And, after all,
only do what other married women in my
circle do, no one feels troubled about them
why should be lectured?'
l thought perhaps, if | went away it
might be better, so | visited my brother, and
then went to spend few weeks with my
friend Jennie, whose married life was like a
summer-day dream. Ada and Hugh both
wrote for me to return soon, for little Percy
was fretting his life away on account of my
absence.
81 don't think | can ever forgive you for
not marrying Hugh" Jennie said, when we
parted.
| believe she understood how it had been
with me.
My absence had not improved affairs. Ada
met me warmly; but the tone in which she
said, 'Now hope | shall have little peace
Hugh and Percy have done nothing but worry
about you" told me she considered my pres
ence as much relief as a pleasure. When |
looked into Percy's dark, mOurnful eyes. and
felt his little hands clasped so tightly around
my neck, | resolved | would never 90 away
again and leave him mOtherless.
So passed away four years of Ada S married
life. Sometimes / used to think of her early
love for Hugh, and of the great sacrifice had
made; and the question would come up-was
it necessary? Hugh was restless and unhappy
at heart, and She--would it have made any
difference who she married, so long as he was
wealthy and agreeable? Would their life al
ways go on thus?
1t babe fair to, for she commenced the next
winter gayer than ever. Hugh rarely attend |
ed her now. Percy slept in the room with
me, and as he generally remained up awhile
at night, to frolic with his papa, we three |
spent the evenings together.
For two or three days Percy had been |
threatened with the Group, and all Ada's moth |
erly sympathies were aroused. | began to |
fancy some new order of things was to be in |
stituted, when Ada declined invitations for |
two successive evenings and remained with |
u.s. On the third day there was to be grand |
private ball, on a magnificent scale When |
Ada received her invitation she ordered her |
1t was so elegant brOcaded with clusters of |
flowers in silver and velvet. She did look |
regal when she tried il on; then her maid |
brought her head dress and ornaments, and |
adjusted them. How peerlessly lovely she |
looked; no wonder it was a temptation to |
show that almost faultless face and figure, |
with its elegant surroundings, to an admiring |
world.
One of her intimate friends was announced, |
and she went to the parlor in all her beauty. |
Her face was flushed with the many praises |
she had received, we saw on her return, and |
she said, in an excited tone, as if fearful of |
some objection
Hugh, you don't think there's any dan
ger in my leaving Percy tonight do your"
There's no danger unless he should be |
taken i'll and die" he replied inditferently.
But | think he has passed through the |
worst: see how lively he is
Hugh looked rather doubtful.
You don't object to my going?" she went |
on.
IF did it would do no good, as you have, |
doubtless, decided to co. he replied, little |
bitterly.
.'Of course l wouldn't go if 1 thought Percy
was in any danger; but if he was taken i'll |
could only wiring my hands and weep, while
you and May did the work; so | shouldn't be
much assistance"
40 9 10 l.. Ia. ,,,I,l
trifes keep you ut home;" and he left the
room.
There was an expression on his face | did
not like, so | said
Don't go tonight, Ada-please DON'T 1t
will be better for both"
what nonsense, May; and, after all, Hugh
does not wish to deprive me of enjoyment
even ii he is a little vexed sometimes. After
having this elegant dress made for the occa-
sion, something more than a trite should keep
me at homeN
Was her child's life, her husbands love only
a trihe?
In the evening she entered the room all
prepared for the ball. She kissed Percy. and
told me to be careful of her precious boy;
then she went to Hugh, in all her beauty, and
said
wont you kiss me, good-bye?'
Hugh rose up suddenly, kissed her, and
said "good-bye" in a strange tone,
thought, and she swept out of the room right
royalty.
Percy played with his papa awhile. then
fell asleep in his arms. That evening Hugh
took him when he went to bed.
That night seemed n strange one to me-
Instead of going to bed | sat down in an arm
chair, thinking of Ada and Hugh. | believe |
/ was nearly asleep, when step reused me,
and Hugh said
"Come quick, May, Percy is dying"
had him in my arms ia moment. His |
face was purple with the efforts he made to |
breathe.
.Have you sent for the doctor?n asked.
.'No, but will instantly. Oh, May-May! |
l.: So II ii A.