The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-08-31

and she. expresses her appreciation in
words that would satisfy the ambition Of
the most exacting author. That-is why
| love5tol read aera Sbe absoln.sly
throws of the, little plain face, aud
grows reallyapbeautiful at such times,
answered Ralph while his mother gazed,
really amazed at his words and manner.
At length, after a moments pause, she
said: qsf = "7" "aS '.h .-
"One who did not Understand you
Ralph, would be in doubt which of the
two you were in love with. Let me ad-
wise you my, Son 70 be sasefpl. Ailceu
might be foolish enough to misin.erpret
your feelings aud actions, aud Ada
might withdraw her favor"
Ralph was about to answer, when
sigh, rustic of dress caught his ear !,
aud ST ,rting up, he said
"Do not worry mother, I'll do what is
right" ..
He walked out ofthc conservatory
and looked around, but no one was
visible AsFIis mother had started train
of thought that had been touched before,
aud he wandered off from the house,
and threw. himself down on shady
mound to o.communc With his owu heart
Yes, he must know himself. Did he
love Ada? and Aileen-what of her
Never for moment had he thought of
her, except as she was, his friend, his
confident she would not uiisund derstahd
his kindness. His mothers counsel was
needless. Ada loved him, he felt sure !;
and although he hid never, told her so,
he hao; certainly given her reason to be-
lieve he loved her. Yes, he must do
what was right-what Ada, his mother,
and the world expected. Absorbed in
thought, he continued.
Il With this determination he sou ght
Ada, told bis love, aud won her promise
to be his. He believed himself happy,
but one thing marring his pleasure
Coul.l she love as another might !?
What if poverty, or danger of any kind
threatened, would she brave al for him. {"
All {! the trial came soon. enough A
dreaded disease, came upon Mim. Ser
wants fed frieul. came not and when
he called for Ad, to come and cool his
ievercd brow, Tie doctor tried to soothe
him, aud hide the shameful truth She
too had fed-umong the first.
Oh, how he suffered No gentle
hand to 5soothe, no loving voice to
whisper words of C. mfort Dying
alone and then his heart knew but one
wish of earth to sec Ailecn. Yet h C
breaihed it not. She must not come
near to him to breathe tue fatal air
Lying thinking of her he felt a soft little
hand pressed gently on his brow. She
was With him, kneclios by his side.
"Aiiecn! Aileenl darling, away !.
away" he cried. Do you know 'tis
death here 2" 81
"No, Ralph. 'Tis life to be with you, =
She answered, pressing her lips to his
and nhaling his dclth bearing breath.
She stayed by him, clung to him
Death weS robbed Of bis tcrrors then.
The last sound that fell on his ear was
an agonizing cry from Aileeu, as they
strove to draw her from him.
And Ralph Livingston spraug up
not from death, but his dream and
stood gazing bcwildered at the scene be-
fore him. Ada aud Aileen both stood
by the first pale and trembling; the
other pale too, but with look of de-
termination and courage On the
ground few PAGES fro3 her leet, lay a
lrishtful, venomous snake, stunned by
,no iv,vv vim wnluil BIC nau tnrowu il
down
In moment, Ralph, as il by instinct,
knew ALL And Ada in the same sweet
emotionless manner, told that they had
come to hunt for him, by his mothers
desire, aud found him sleeping And
she had s,oopei down to awaken him,
when she had discovered the dreadful
snake stealing round his neck. She ran
away SO frightened. And Aileen went
up, al hou9h..she told her it would surely
bite her-and caught it close up by the
head, drew it off and dashed it to the
ground.
Ralph's dream flashed back to his
mind SO wildly then and he felt to-
ward Aileen as he had never before, and
was much relieved to be sure that he