Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-09-05

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car had fallen. For an instant, [ felt
rooted to the spot where Twas standing,
then recovering my senses, rushed for
ward to learn the worst. AS I made
my way through the narrow passage
under the stage, I heard some one say
in a pityington "Poor thing, she will
never dance again?" Which was it?
Ada? Dora? l fought my way through
the crowd of actors and attendants,
and saw my little Ada lying senseless
in Dora's arms. Throwing myself on
my knees, I 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 deep sigh, and looked about her
with a bewildered gaze.
"Hush, little one," said Dora, softly,
as she saw Ada was about to speak,
ellie still and be patient till the sur
geon comes"
The gentle sufferer closed her eyes,
and her little hands pressed mine with
a tender grasp. The surgeon was 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
she fell back in Dora's arms, and tainted
dead away.
[ had noticed no one but Ada and
Dora, but at this moment [ was con-
scious that the count was kneeling be-
side ME, and had clasped Dora's hand.
"Better she than you, my love!' 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"
ssWhat is this ballet girl to me
answered the count, stung to the quick,
and for moment thrown off 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 upon the count. A beautiful smile
played on her trembling lips, and she
reached her hand toward him. ooh,
my love-" she said in a low Whisper
a whisper which first sent the blood
mantling into Dora's face and then
left it paler than snow-"you are near
and L"
Something in the counts face stop
ped her words. "The girl is wander
ing" he said, coldly. ''She does not
know what she is saying"
She had tainted again. "Go, count, :"
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
as 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 never 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 confded with
many tears the secret of her heart
The count had won her love, and had
promised to ask my consent to their
union. Unsuspecting and confding,
she knew nothing of his attentions to
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, and
that he endeavored to defend his per-
fidy on the plea that he was only anus
ing himself with Ada, and never had
seriously thought of making her his
his wife. $50 much the worse for you,
count" said the true-hearted woman.
81 shall never be your wife, and never
want to see your face again"
We are married now, Dora and l.
From loving Ada she learned in time
to love me, and the sweet and gentle
invalid, who never again will walk un-
til 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.