The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-17
#istfllauy.'
AILEES's LOVE.
BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN.

II
Ralf Livingston was one Of fortunes
most favored children; young in good
health; handsome and rich. p.
Ralf was the only child of widowed
mother, and the last representative OF
an old and proud race. He was uni-
yersal favorite. ,1f 1895 . =. s.ss
Mrs. Livingston knew the time was
coming when her son would marry,
and SO she thought to anticipate his
choice by selecting wife for him fear
ing his heart might settle on one not
agreeable to her. She felt jealous OF
every one right at home But then
Alieen was not beautiful, and Of course
she had no idea of the girl who was
fFiendless, and a dependent on her
bounty, as one to connect, even IN
thought, with her son. z
No, Aileen, poor child was not to be
feared. She waited on Ralf; read to
him learned difficult songs, that he
might easily catch the air, and sing
them to other girls; listened to his
eulogies ON the beauty, grace and
sweetness of Lilly, Rose, or Violet,
whichever he CHANGED to be the best
pleased with at the time.
Before Aileen knew Ralfs nature so
well, she would steal away to her
room, and weep as if her little heart
would break-Why, she would never
acknowledge even to herself--when he
would talk to her of the girl he admired
so much. But after a time, Aileen
could listen and smile, for she felt his
heart knew not the mighty power.
Ada Whiting, the daughter of her
dearest friend, was the choice of Mrs.
Livingston, and so she set herself about
to have it as she wished. Fortune
favored her just then. Mrs. Writings
health being very feeble, her physici-
ans advised winter South. Ada was
much averse to going, and SO it was an
easy task for Mrs. Livingston to per-
suade Mr.. and Mrs. Whiting to leave
their daughter to her love and care,
And SO the beautiful Ada became one
of Mrs. ,LivingstOn's family. d H.gi.t
Ada was beautiful, truly; perfect. IL
! form and features, with shower .oi
golden ringlets; a complexion fair,
and as delicately tinted as the pearly
sea-sheH; eyes as blue as the summer
! sky-shy and languishing eyes, that
ever glowed with the same soft, sweet
| light.
Never were two women more dissi-
miIar than Ada Whiting and Aileen
! Wild. And when Mrs. Livingston
saw them standing near together, she
| thought how much Ada's beauty was
enhanced by the contrast; for Aileer
was a pale, sallow little thing, whom
no one had ever thought pretty, and
beside the fair beauty that Mrs. Liv'
/ ingston had determined should be hel
daughter, the poor protege appeared
very plain looking.
/ But Aileen had eyes that would have
| won for any woman that had little
tact. and with the aid of art, the repu-
tation of a beauty-eyes SO large ant
dark, with q world of love and passion
glowing away down in their depths.
Mrs. Livingston was well satisfied
with the prospect Of affairs. She hat
! but little doubt of the final success o
her plan. -,
There was one thing, however, tina
Mrs. Livingston did not like, and fel
the necessity of warning Ralf agains
| it, 1t was this, that whenever h
| would intend to read for the entertain
ment of Ada and his mother, he woult
| invariably ask. s'WLere is Aileen ?
and wait until she was sent for, ant
came. -,
Jiyinyston asked. "Ada will thinl
| Won rather more attentive to Aileel
than is necessary, under the circum
stances. In fact it looks as If you reat
more particularly for Aileen's benefit
And last night / noticed. and so mus
Ada. that YOU commenced your read
ing with only one auditor, and tina
neither your mother nor her guest"
ssDid /? Well, mother, really ! wa
very remiss but Well, the truth
Aileen not only appreciates the subject
but shows it. Ada hearsaii sentiment
no matter how varied, with tE
came sweet expression OF eye AM
tongue. Why, mother, the most glow
ing descriptions, passionate and pathe
tie appeals that ever flowed rom al
I inspired poets brain, fail to draw fortl
from her an exclamation other than
SITS pretty, is it not2' while Aileeni
dark face lights up, her glorious eye
sparkle and glow with inspiration
caught from the poem, and she ex
presses her appreciation in words tina
would satisfy the ambition of the mos
exactipg author. That Is why ] low
to read to her. Size absolutely throw
off the little plain face, and grows real
Iv beautiful at such times" answers
Ralf. while his mother gael, reall.
amazed at his words and manner. A
length, after moments pause sh
said:
zone who did not understand you
Ralf. would be in doubt which of tn
two YOU were in love with. Let m
advise YOU, my son, to be careful
Aileen might be foolish enough to mis-
interpret YOUR feelings and actions, an
Ada might withdraw her favor"
Ralf was about to answer, when
sigh. a rustic of a dress caught his ear
and starting up, he said:
"Do not worry, mother, I'll do wha
is right"
: He walked out of the conservotor
and looked around, but no one wa
: visible. His mother had started
train of thought that had never bee
touched before, and he wandered o
from the house, and threw himse
down on shady mound TO csmmun
with his own heart.
YES. he must know himself. Did b
love Ada? And Aileen-what of her
Never for q moment had he though
! of her. except, as she was his frient
his confident she would not misundei
I stand his kindness. His mother
3 counsel was needless. Ada loved his
he felt sure; and although he ha
D never told her so, he had certainl
: given her reason to believe he love
ser. Yes he must do what was right
Ehst Ada, his mother, and the worl
: expected. Absorbed in thought lie col
tinued. 9a,
With this Discrimination he sOugh
: Ada. told his love, and won her prom
ise to his. He believed himself yer
8 happy. but one thing marring b
pleasure: Could she love as anoth'
might? What If poverty, or dang
!, of any kind threatened, would 81
brave all for him?
All! the trial came soon enough.
dreaded disease came upon him: Sel
wants fed friends came not and whe
: he called for Ada to come and cool::h
2 Ievered brow, the good doctor tried
soothe him, and hide the shamefi
truth. She too had fled-among II
' first. -.a.- .
Oh, how he suffered! No gentle han
to soothe, no loving voice to whisp'
a words ofcomfortI Dying alone! Al
: then his heart knew but one wish
earth-to see Aileen. Yet he breathe
y 1t not. She must not come near hin
4 to breathe that fatal air. Lying thinl
4 ing of her, wishing for her, he felt
soft little hand pressed gently on h
q burning brow. She was with hin