Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1873-03-06
WHICH OF the TWO d?
Or, The7Uhoice of Ralph Livingston.

Ralph Livingston was one OF Fortune most
favored children young, in good health, hanH-
soma. and very rich. Ralph was the only child
of . widowed mother, and the last representa-
tive Of an old and proud race. He was a uni
versal favorite.
Mrs. Livingston knew the time was coming
when her son would marry, and she Thought to
anticipate his choice by selecting wife Tor
him, fearing his heart might settle on one not
agreeable to her. She ielt jealous " e'oas
right at home. But then Aileen WAS NOT beau,
tiful and Of course. she had no idea OF the girl
who was friendess, deponent on her bounty,
as one to connect even in Thought WON nor
No. Aileen, poor child was not to be feared
She waited on Ralph read to him learned dill
cult sengs, that he might easily eaten inc an
and sing them to other girls listened 10 hls
eulogies on the beauty grace and sweetness Oh
Lilly, Rose or Violet, whichever he chanced 10
be the best pleased with at the time. before
Aileep knew Ralph's nature 30 well, she would
steal away to her room, and weep IS II ner little
heart would break--why. she would never
acknowledge even to herself-when he wonld
taik Of the girl he admired 80 much. But, after
. time, Aileen could listen and smile, FOR she
felt his heart knew not the mighty power
Ada Whiting, the daughter OF her dearest
friend. was the choice Of Mrs. Livingston. ana
Hn0 Bot n6FbGI ADOut " Ain>o d" 40 sAo
Fortune favored her just then. Mrs. Writings
health being very feeble, her physicians advised
q winter South. Ada WAS much averse to gong,
and no 1t was an easy task for Mrs. Livingston,
to persuade MIR. and Mrs. Whiting to leave their
daughter to her love and care. And go N,e
beautiful Ada became one of Mrs. Livingstone 3
family, Ada was beautiful, truly; perfect in
form and features, with shower OF golden ring,
lets q complexion fair, and az delica'ey tinted
AZ the peary sea-shell eyes as blue ~ the sum
mer sky-and lsngushing eyes that ever glow
ed with the same soft, swee: light.
Never were two girls more dissimilar than Ada
Whiting and Aileen Wild, and when Mrs. law
iagston saw them standing near together, hhe
thought how much Ads,s be auty was enhaheea n.,s
be the contrast; for Aileen was pale salow
thing whom no one had ever thought pretty and
beside her the fair beauty that Mrs. Livingston
had determined should be her daughter the
protege appeared very plain looking. But All
hen had eyes that would have won for any wo-
man that had q little tact, and with tho aid OF
art, the reputation Of bearty..eyes 30 large
and dark, with world Of love and passion glow
ing away down in their depths.
Mrs. Livingston WAS well saushen Tl'n the s
prospect Of affairs. She had but little doubt oi
the final success OF her plan. There was one
thing. however that Mrs. Livingston did not
like and felt the necessity OF warming haipl
against 1t was this ''that whenever he wonie
his mother, he would invariably ask where !.
Aileen p and wait uutifshe was sent 1or aht
.Why do you do. 10, l.slph7 Mrs. Livingston
asked. ada will think you rather more AZ
tentive to Aileen than is necessary under I'll.
circumstances. In fact, it looks AZ II you reat
mora particularly for Aileen's benefit. And LAS
night noticed, and 30 must Ada. that you com
menced your reading with only one AUDITOR AM
that neither your mother nor quests. ,,r ~
"Did 1? Well, mother really was very re-
miss but the truth is, Aileen not only apprecl
ates the subject but shows it, Ada takes all sen
timepts, no matter how varied, with the sam
sweet expression of the eye and tongue. why
mother, the most glowing descriptions, passion
Ate and nathetic appeals that ever fell from in
spired poets brain, fail to draw forth from he
any exclamation other than, It's pretty, is
moi? while Aileen's dark face lights up he
glorious eyes sparkle and glow with inepirano
caught from the poem, and she expresses nc
Appreciation in words that would satisfy tn
ambition Of the most eXacting author. mat
why / love to to read to her. She abso lutte
throws of the little plain face and grows real real
No. mother gazed really amazed at his wor,
aud manner.
At length, after moments pause. she said
"One who did not understand you, Rap
would doubt which Of the two you were in lo'
with. Let me advise you, my son,to be caretr
Ailesn might be foolish enough to misinterpr
your feelings and actions, and Ada might wit
draw her favor.
Ralph was about to answer, when sigh Al
the rustic Of dress caught his ear and, starti
up, he said
"Do not worry, mother. I'll do what is rgh
He walked out Of the conservatory and look
around, but no one was visible. His mother h
started 4 train Of thoughts that had never be
touched before, and he wandered of from t
house and ttrsw himself dewn ona shady mon
TO commune with bis own heart. Yes he mi
know himself Did he love Ada And Allie
what OF her |? Never for moment had
Thought Of her, except as she was--his friel
his cOniidsut; she would not misunderstand
Kindness, Ada loved him, he felt sure; and
though he had never told her 80, he had oerta
ly given her reason to believe he loved Yes
must do what was r8ht-whet AdA. MS "oth
and the world expected. -.
with this determination he sought Ada !
his love- and won her pronse 10 W Ms. no
Iieyed himself very happy, but one thing m
ring his pleasure. Gould she love as amor
might What ifpoverty, or danger OF any A
fhreateued, would she brave oil FOR him 7
Al the trial came soon enough, A drea
.icknsss came upon him. Servants He'd frie
came not !. and when he called Ada to come
.oeol his feyered brow, the good doctor tried
soothe him. aud hide the shameful truth. y
too, had hsd-Among the hrst.
oh, how he suffered no bsnsr gensre ynrda nads
Comfort. Dying alone and then his h
knew but one wish on earth--to see Ailt
Yet he breathed it not. She must MOI come
him to breathe the fatal air. Lying thinKlh
der he felt = soft little hand pressing ~
on his burning brow. She was win hln'' Kt
ing by his side. ,
aAiieeen! Aileenl Darling away! away
cred do Jon not know lis death here =
'No, Ralph. rHs life to be with you, sh'
swered, pressing her lips to his, aud inhaiin
death-bearing breath
She stayed by him, dung to him. Oessl
robbed Of his terrors then. The last sound