Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-06-14

come to hunt for him, by his mothers de-
sire, and. found him sleeping. And she
had stopped down to waken him, when she
discovered the dreadful snake stealing
round bis neck. She ran away so fright
ened. And Aileen went up-although she
tCld her it would surely bite her-and
caught it close up by the head, drew it oil
and dashed it to The ground.
Ralph's dream flashed back to his mind
SO vivIdly then! and he felt toward Aileen
as lie had never before, and much relieved
to be sure that he was not bound to the
cold, beautiful girl beside him, and be-
lieved if she should ever be his, it would be
as in the dreaI1.. If danger threatened, she
would fy. While Aileen-dear, noble,
loving Aileen.- knew she would never
desert the man who called her his. She
would cling by 10 save, or die with him.
..a Turning to Aileens he said ,s. .
+" Thank you, You are brave little
woman. Aileen.' You may have saved
my life." -
There. was a, tone of deep emotion in his
voice which caused Aileen 10 raise her eyes
to his. She saw i'll Them somethin. that
made licr heart leap with wild bound Of
joy. And she was happier than ever in
her life before. rcl-..... d. o. t..... ...
SLe had been il a distant part OF the
conservatory that morning, and heard
f44ich of the conversation between Ralph
and his mother. 1t was her sigh that
Ralph had heard. Oh, how miserable had
life appeared 10 the poor child She little
dreamed how soon the cloud would pass
away.
Ralph was very quiet after their return
to the house, lie could not Danish from
his mind the occurrence which had SO
plainly shown him the difference in the
character of the girls. He was disappoint-
ed ia Ada, and something almost amount
ing to dislike was stealing into his heart
against her; while Aileen was growing
hourly dearer to him.
1IOw pretty she looked that evening, he
thought. And indeed Mrs. Livingston
gazed ct Der, and wondered what had come
over the girl to make her look 50 bright
and happy. Ralph lOnged to be with her
alone. lie found All opportunity dung the
evening. After again thanking her, he
said
Did you not know how deadly was The
bite ?'
" Certainly. That was the reason
fastened to get it off, she said.
Did you not think Of the danger to
yourself, Aileen y"
Oh, yes. / thought of everything.
And you feared not p
:" Only for you, Ralph
(" Aiieen, the man who wins your heart
will have priceless jewel. | believe you
! would die for one that you loved"
lier face grew paler than usual then
She was striving to still the Wild thlobDing
! Of her heart, and hide its secret too.
- Would you not, AlleCn ?' he asked.
''NOuld not any woman '' She returned,
yelling her eyes.
'AIleen, if you had known that snake
would have bitten you would you have
touched it-have bravcd death for me ~
he asked, striving TO catch her eye.
She spoke not, nor looked on him.
'Aiieon, you must answer me" he said,
putting forth his hand and clasping hers.
"Y ou have 10 right to insist-to speak
thus to me- she answered, still eyading
his gaze.
+ 81 have, AiIcen, the tight to know the
heart Of tie woman L love! Now look at
me, and see if L am not speaking tie
truth!'
''"ill you answer me now, Aileen .' lie
asked, opening his arms.
You know. you know!" she s0bbed.
He caught her to his bosom, and said:
''My own darling l do know. My brave
little Aileenr
Mrs. Livingston was dreadfully disap-
pointed. But her boys, will was her law,
and Size accepted IS gracefully as possible
what size could not avert.
Many Of his friends, no doubt, marvelled
at his choice OF a wife, and he knew il, lie
cared not for TO him Aileen is more than
beautiful. The thought of testing her love
never enters his mind lie knows It's
w0rth--itS depth.
If Ada had an affection for Ralph it did
not Euscr with her long. In a few weeks |
it was transferred TO another-one who |
was SO proud Of his beautiful wife that he |
was content with such love as she gave |