Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-04-15

love Ada And Aieen-.what OF her?
Never for 4 moment had he thought OF
her, except as she was-his friend, his
coniidant; she would not misunderstood
his kindness. His mothers counsel was
needless. Ada loved him, he felt sure /;
and although he had never told her 50,
he had certainly given her reason to be.
lieyc he loved her. Yes, he must do
what was right, what Ada, his mother
and The world expected.
With this determination he sought
Ada, told his love, and won her promise
to be his. He believed himself very
happy, but one thing marring his pleas
ure. Could she love as another might
What il poverty, OF danger of any kind
threatened, would she brave all for him ?
All q! the trial came soon enough. A
dreaded sickness came upon him. Ser
wants fled; friends came not; and when
he called tor Ada TO come and cool his
levered brow, the good doctor tried TO
soothe him. and hide the shameful truth.
She, too. had fled-among the first.
Oh, how he suffered No gentle hand
10 soothe, no loving voice to whisper
words OF comfort. Dying alone aud
then his heart knew but one wish OF
ear,h-to see Aieen Yet he breathed
it not. She must not come near him TO
breathe the fatal air. Lying thinking of
her, he felt soft little hand pressing
gently on his burning brow. She was
with him, kneeling by his side.
'Aieen! Aieen Darling. away
away!' he cried. ado you not know
lis death here'"
no. Ralph. 'Tis life to be with YOU
she answered, pressing her lips 10 his,
anu nhaling his death bearing breath.
Sac stayed by him, clung 10 him.
Death was robbed OF his terrors then.
The ast sound that fell on his ear was an
agoozing cry from Aileen, rs they stroyc
to d.aw her from him.
81 will will she cried.
Aud Ralph Livingston sprang up-not
from death-but his dream-and stood
gazing bewildered at the scene before
him Ada and Aileen both stood by, the
first pale and trembling, the other pale,
too. but with look OF firm determine.
ton Of courage. On the ground q few
pace from her feet, lay frightful ven
omous snake, stunned by the force with
which she had thrown it down.
In moment, Ralph, as if by instinct,
knew all. And Ada, in the same sweet
emotionless manner. said they had come
TO hunt for him. by his mothers desire,
and found his sleeping. Aud she had
stopped down TO waken him, when she
discovered the dreadful snake stealing
round his neck. She ran away so fright.
encd And Aleen went up-although
she told her it would surely bite her
and caught it close up by the head, drew
it oil, and dashed ii TO the ground.
/ Ralph's dream flashed bacl; TO his mind
SO wildly then and he felt toward Aileen
as lie had before; and much relieved to
| be sure that he was not bound 10 the cold.
beautiful girl beside him. And he be-
/ lieyed if she should ever be his, il would
be as in the dream. If danger ever
threatened she would fly. While Aileen
dear. noble. loving Aileen he knew
she would never desert the man who
called her his. She would cling by 10
save or die with him.
Tuning to Aileen, he said:
"Thank you; you are q brave little
woman, Ailcen You may have saved
my ife."
There was Il tone OF deep emotion in
his voice which caused Aieen TO raise her
eyes TO his. She saw in them something
that made her heart leap with II wild
bound OF JOY, and she was happier than
ever in her life before. She had been in
q distant part ol the conservatory that
molDmg, and had heard much of the
eony yersation between Ralph and his
mother. 1t was her sigh that Ralph had
| heard. Oh, how miserable had life APP
pear 10 the poor child them She little
! dreamed how soon this cloud would pass
away.
Ralph was very quiet after their return
TO the house. He could not Danish from
his mind the occurrence which had SO
plainly shown him the difference in the
girls. He was disappointed in Ada, and
something almost amounting to dislike
was stealing into his heart against her,
while Aileen was growing hourly dearer
to him. How pretty she looked that
evening, he thought. And, indeed, Mrs.
Livingston gazed at her, and wondered
what had come over the girl to make her
look so bright and happy. Ralph longed
to be with her alone. He found an OPP
portunity during the evening. After
again thanking her, he said:
"Did you not know how deadly was
the bite ?"
Certainly. That was the reason
hastened to get it off," she said.
did you not think OF the danger TO
yourself, Aileen? ?"
"Oh, yes, thought of everything"
"And you feared not?"
only for you, Ralph"
"Ailecn. the man who wins your heart