Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-11-13
aants and saw nv little Ada living sene.

dants and saw my little Ada lying sene-
less in Doras arms. Throwing my
self on my knees, I took her cold hands
in both of mine. 'sMy dear friend"
said Dora, who was weeping silently
6 she is not dead, through dreadfully
hurt. The surgeon will be here direct
ly Compose yourself She is reviv.
ing!"
My little darling opened her eyes,
with deep sigh, and looked about her
with bewildering gaze.
'Hush, little one" said Dora softly,
as she saw Ada was about to speak.
'.Lie still and be patient till the surgeon
comes"
The gentle sufferer closed her eyes,
and her little hands pressed mine with,
tender grasp. The surgeon was soon
on the spot. He assured me that Ada
had sustained no fatal injury, but it
was doubtful whether she would be able
to walk again. With pitious cry she
fell back in Dora's arms, and tainted
dead away.
had noticed no one but Ada and
Dora, but at this moment l was con
scious that the count was knee]ing be-
side me, and he clasped Doras hand.
"Better she than you, my lover he
murmured.
Dora gave him quick look of re
proof ''This is no time for love-mak,
ing" she answered, Withdrawing her
hand. "Have you no feeling for the
poor girl lying here, whose whole life
must be one Of misery and sorrow?"
"What is this ballet girl to met" an
swered the count, stung to the quick,
and for moment thrown off his guard.
''Of course, I am sorry for her." he ad-
ded the next moment, ''but-"
At this moment Ada opened her eyes
again, and faint blush struggled with
the paleness in her cheeks, as her gaze
fell upon the count. A beautiful smile
played upon her trembling lips. and she
reached her hand toward him. sob,
my love" she said in a low ,whisper-a
Whisper which first sent the blood mant-
ling into Dora's face, and then left it
paler than snow--"you are near and
/"
| Something in the counts face stop
ped her words.
''The girl is wandering" he said cold
ly. "She does not know what she is
saying"
She had tainted again. $50 count,
said Dora, hastily" Your presence is
not wanted here, Fer manner was de-
cided and even imperious, aud the
count did not venture to disobey; bu,
as he left he cast upon Ada look
which caught the others eye, and from
the expression that came into her face
l knew-knew even then that he
would never more hold place in hel
heart.
We carried Ada home, and through
the long illness which followed, Dora
Was her constant nurse and companion
To this dear friend was confded with
many tears the secret Of her heart
The count had won her love, and hac
promised to ask my consent to theil
union. Unsuspecting and copfding
she knew nothing Of his attention tc
Dora; and it was by his wish that she
had never mentioned his name to me
/ heard afterward that he and Dora
met but once after the accident, ant
that he endeavored to defend his per
fidy on the plea that he was only anus
ing himself with Ada, and never hac
seriously thought of making her hi
wife. so much tho worse for you
count" said the free hearted woman
81 shall never be your wife, and nevel
want to see your tace again"
We are married now, Dora and L
From loving Ada she learned in time te
love me, and the sweet and gentle in
valid, who never again will walk until
she steps upon the heavily shore, is hap
| ply in our love. No murmer ever es
capes her lips. Her sweet face is never
clouded. Since Dora learned her sad
story, the counts name has never pass.
ed my sisters lips, nor has she ever in
any way alluded to him. But Dora
found her one day weeping silently
over picture which she put away with
out its being seen.
I have not told how the accident
happened. The master machinist, him
self in love with Dora, had cut several
strands of the cords by which the car
was secured. He openly avowed the
crime, and only regretted that Dora
had not been killed. "She rejected me
with scorn,' he cried on his trial. 81
was resolved she should never give her
hand to another" He was manifestly
a maniac. I can never forgive myself
for not Watching him more closely after
that encounter under the stage.