The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-10-11

ed, sullenly, and turned away
| carefully examined the cords by which
the car was raised. Everything appeared
to be secure and in good order; and L went
back to my place, trying 10 laugh myself
out of my apprehensions. But though 1t
was easy to argue that all was right and
that my fears arose merely from some mex
plicable disorder of the brain, L could not
feel secure. | was positive that some
frightful misadyenture would occur before
the play was over and every nerve was
strained in the effort tt maintain calm
exterior.
The play progressed. The curtain rose
upon the magnificent transformation scene;
and the plaudits of the audience grew tu
multuous as the splendors unroled before
them. AT length the Car began to rise slowly
and maiestically, to low, sweet strains OF
music. | watched, with scarcely beating
heart and bated breath, the first appearance
Of the beautiful vision-f1r like a vision it
looked, rising and still rising, the. car re-
splendent with all the tinsel which shone
like gold and silver, and diamonds.
sound as of many tinkling fountains mingled
with the strains of delicious music; fairy
land seemed opening upon the sight with
arching bowers and faT-reaching vistas, and
myriads of elfin forms disporing on the
ground and in the air. For moment |
was fas cinated, when Ada and Dora, in all
their beauty, rose above the lake, their
stately car seemingly lifted 10y invisible
hands. | forgot my apprehenslons, and
once more breathed freely.
Suddenly there was dreadful crash, and
a wild cry filled the house. The car had
fallen. For an instant | felt rooted to
the spot where | was standing, and then
recovering my senses, rushed forward to
learn the worst. As | made my way
through the narrow passage under the stage,
| heard some one say in plying tone ::
"Poor thing, she will never dance again? p
Which was it ? Ada j.? Dora? | fought
my way through the crowd of actors and
att. ndants and saw my little Ada lying
senseless in Dora's arms. Throwing my
self on my knees, took her cold hands in
both of mine My dear friend" said
Dora, who was weeping silently, 'she is
not dead, though dreadfully hurt. The
surgeon will be here directly. Compose
yourself. She is reviving
My little darling opened her eyes, with a
deep sigh, and looked about her with a be-
wildered gaze.
Hush, little one" ssid Dora, softly, as
she saw Ada was about TO speak. :" Lie
|
The gentle sufferer closed her eyes, and
her little hands pressed mine with tender
grasp. The surgeon was seon 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 a
piteous cry, she fell back in DoIa's arms,
and tainted dead away.
| had noticed no one but Ada and Dora,
| but at this moment was conscious that the
count was kneeling beside me, and he
clasped Doras hand. Better she than
you, NY love-" he murmnred.
Dora gave him quick look of reproof
'This is no time for love making" she an
swered. 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 me !? " an
swered the count stung to the quick, and
for moment thrown Oft his guard. 'Of
course, | am sorry for her" he added 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 up
Oh the count. A beautiful smile played
upon her trembling lips, and she reached
her hand toward HIM ''Ob, my love, "
she said in low whisper whisper
which first sent the blood mantling into
Dora's face, and then left it palcr
than snow" you are near and I
Something in the counts face stopped her
words
':The girl is wandering he said coldly
"She does not know what she is saying"
She had tainted again. go count, u
said Dora hastily. Your presence is not
wanted here Her manner was decided
and even imperious, and the count did not
venture to disobey but rs he left he cast
upon Ada look which caught the others
eye, and from the expression that came
into her face knew-knew even then that
he would mover more hold place in her
heart.
We carried Ada home, and through the
long illness which followed, Dora was her
constant nurse and companion To this
dear friend was cOnfidCd with many tears
the secret of her heart. The count had
won her love, and had promised to ask nv
consent to their union. Unst1specting and
confiding, she knew nothing of his atten-
tons TO Dora, and ii 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. and that he
endeavored TO defend his perfdy on the
plea that he was only amusing himself with
Ada, and never had seriously thought of
making her his wife. $50 much the
worse foryou, COUNT said the fee heart
ed woman. Il shall never be your wife,
and never want to see your face again.
We are married now, Dora and | From
loving Ada she learned in time to love me.
and the sweet and gentle invalid who nev.
er again will walk until she steps upon the
heavenly shore, is happy in our love No
murmur ever escapes her lips Her sweet
face is never clouded. Since Dora learned
her sad story, the counts name has never
passed 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 without its being seen.
| have not told how the accident happen
pencd. The master machinist. himself in
love with Dora, had cut several strands of
the colds by which the car was secured
He openly avowed the crime. and only re-
GREETED that Dora had not been killed
. She rejected me with scorn." he cried on
his trial. | was resolved she should never
give her hand TO another He was mani
festly maniac. | can never forgive NV
self for not watching him more closely
after that encounter under the stage
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The @p!rItS