The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-17

before MIN. A08 8uQ Aue0u Otil
stood by |; the first pale and trembling;
the other pale too, but with a look of
determination and courage. On the
ground, a few PAGES from her feet, lay
a frightful, venomous snake, stunned
by the force with which she had thrown
1t down. lsi.i aoHfa 97SeiiSri 80.
In a moment, Ralf as if by instinct,
knew all. And Ada, in the same
sweet emotionless manner. told that
they had come to huat for him, by his
mothers desire, and found him Sleep
ing. And she had stopped down to
waken him, when she discovered the
dreadful snake stealing round his neck.
She had run away, so frightened. And
Aileen went although she told her
it would surely bite her-and caught
it close up by the head, drew it Of, and
dashed ito the ground.
Ralfs dream flashed back to his mind
so vividly then. and Lac felt toward
Aileen as he had never before, and
much relieved to be sure he was not
bound to the cold, beautiful beside him.
And he believed, il she should ever he
his, it would be as in the dream. If
danger threatened, she would fly.
While Aileen-dear, noble, loving
Aileen!-he knew she would never
desert the man who called he- his.
She would cling by, to save, or die
with him.
Turning to Aileen, he said:
Thank you :. You are a brave little
woman, Aileen! You may have saved
my life ~ s +.
There was tone of deep emotion in
his voice, which caused Aileen to raise
her eyes to his. She saw in them
something that made her heart leap
with wild bound of joy. And she
was happier than ever in her life before.
She had been i'm distant part of the
conservatory that morning, and heard
much Of the conversation between
Ralf and his mother. 1t was her sigh
that Ralf had heard. Oh, how mise
rable had life appeared to the poor child
then! She little dreamed how soon
the cloud would pass away.
Ralfwas very quiet after their return
to the house. He could not Danish
| from his mind the occurrence which
had so plainly shown him the differ
erce in the character Of the two girls.
He was disappointed in Ada, and some
thing almost amounting to dislike was
stealing into his heart against her; !;
while Aileen was growing hourly
dearer to him. .'sif't.Iri i..
How pretty she looked that evening,
he thought. And indeed Mrs. Living
ston gazed at her, and wondered what
had come over the girl, to make her
look so bright and happy. Ralf long
ed to be with her alone. He found an
opportunity during the evening. At
ter again thanking her, he said:
"Did you not know how deadly was
the bite?' bIBfs~ laai $50 g
"Certainly, That was the reason /
hastened to get it off, she said. 81.
"Did you not think of the danger to
yourself, Aileen?"
"Oh, yes, thought of everything"
"And you feared not ?"
"Only for you, Ralf.'
sAileen, the man who wins your
heart will have priceless jewel. be-
lieve you would die for one you loved"
| Her face grew paler than usual then.
She was striving to still the wild throb-
bing of her heart, and hide its secret
too, -
i"Would you not, Aileen ?" he asked
HWould not any women" she re-
turned, vailing her eyes.
J "Aileen, if you, had known that snake
would have bitten you, would you have
touched it-have braved death for meT
he asked, striving to catch her eye.
She spoke not, nor looked on him.
| "Aileen, you must answer me-" ht
said, putting forth his hand and clasp
ing hers. -t4itH
"You have no right to insist-tt
speak thus to me, she answered, still
eyading his gaze.
81 have, Aileen, the right to know
the heart of the woman I love! Now
look at me, and see il am not speak
ing the truthn' -..
! She raised her eyes then, and me-
his. '.r. "a = ~. II .,.-
i "Will you answer me now, Aileen !"
he asked, opening his arms.
"You know! you know v' she sObbed
He caught her to his bosom, and said
4 ''My own daring! do know! My
brave little Aileen!" ao
Mrs. Livingston was dreadfully dis
appointed. But her boys will was heI
law, and she accepted as gracefully a
possible what she could not avert.
| Many of the friends, no doubt, mar
yelled at Ralfs choice ofa wife. If ht
knew it, he cared not; fer to hin
Aileen is more than beautiful. Tht
thought of testing her love never en-
tiers his mind. He knows Its worth
1 its depth. '2
If Ada had an affection for Ralf, j
did not linger with him long. In
few weeks it was transferred to anothe
one who was so proud of his beauti
full wife, that he was content with suct
love as she gave him.-Ncw Yor'
Ledger