Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-12-08

I ~ IlllCu W iuN lslolV H1hWs' iV' SN' ~
apprehonsions aud once more breathed
Z freely.
Suddenly there was dreadful crash,
and wild cry filled the house. The car
had fallen. For an instant felt rooted
to the spot wehre Was standing, aud
then. recovering my senses, rushed Tor
ward TO learn the worst. As | made my
way through the marrow passages under
the stage, hoard some one say in pity.
+ ing tone: Poor thing. she will mover
dance again" Which was i'2 Ada?
Dora fought my way through the
crowd OF actors and attendant, and saw
my litlc Ada lying scnseless il Dora's
arms Throwing myself on my knees !
took her cold hands in both OF mine.
Ny dear flend,' said Dora, who was
weeping silently: "shc is not dead,
though dteadluiy hurl. The surgeon
viii be here directly. Compose Yourself
She is rcrNiue
My ljuIc darling opened hct eyes, with
"a deep ,igb, and looked ,1oat hcr with
bowildercd gaz,.
"Ila-h. little onc," safe Daia, sotdy, as
she saw Ala vas about to speak. Lie
still and be ps,.cn, til the surgeon
comes"
The gentle sufferer closed her eyes,
aud her little hands pressed mine with -
tender grasp. The surgeon was soon on
toe spot. 10 assured Us lhlt Ada had
sustained no m,n, injury, but ii ~,
doubtful, whether she would Jc able 10
walk again. With pi,eous cry, she Tell
back in Dora's arms. aud tainted dead
away.
had noticed no one bul Ada and Dora,
but at this moment was conscious that
the Count was knecling beside me, and
he claspcd Dora's hand Better she than
YOU. my love !" he mutmurod.
Dora gave him a quick look of rcproof
This is no time ton Ioye.making, she
answered.. Withdrawing her hand. "IIave
you no feeling for the poor girl lying
here. whose lie must be Que o.! misery
and sorrow 20
"What is this ballet girl TO ne p an.
swerel tie Count, slung to The quick,
sul fora momen, thrown oa his guagd.
90! course. am sorry Tor her, he add
Cd. the next moment. "bu,-
.At his moment Ada opened her eyes
again and faint blush struggled with
the paleness in her checks as her gaze
tel, upon the count \ beaulilu. smile
played upon her trembling lips, and she
reached her hand toward him. "Oh, my
love- she said in q low whisper-a whis.
per when first sent the blood mantlIag
into Dora's lace. and then LET, Il paler
than snew-"you arc near. aud /"
Something Ia The Counts face stopped
her words.
/ Tho girl Is wandering" he said oollly.
"She does not know what shc Is saying "
: Sue had tainted agaia, "Go. Count,
said D.ta. hastily. "Yoar presence 10
not wanted here" Her manner WAS de.
cided and even impeIious. and the Count
did no, venture to disobey; hu, as he lett
he cast upon Ada q look which caugh,
the others eve, and from ae expression
that came into her lace knew-knew
even then. that he would never more hold
place in her heart.
We carried Ada home, and through the
illness which followed. Dora was her con
slant nurse and companion. To this
dear friend was eoniled. with mauY
tears the secret OF her heart. The Count
had won her love, aud had promised to
ask my consent to The union. Cnsuspect.
ing aud csnHding. she knew nothing OF
his attentions 10 Dora. ard il was by his
wish that she bad never mentioned his
name 10 me. heard alIerward that lie
and Dora met but once after the accident,
and that he endeayored 10 defend his
pcriidy on the plea that he was only
amusing himself with Ada. and had never
seriously thought Of making her his wife.
So much the worse for you, Count,
sail the tue hearted woman. Il shall
never DC your vile and never want 10
see your lace again
We are married now, Dora and /.
From loving Ada she learned in time to
love me, and the sweet and gentle ia
valid. who never again wiii walk until
she steps upon the heavenly shore, is
happy in our love. No nurmur ever
escapes Ter lips. Her sweet face is never
clouded. Since Dora learned her sad
story, the Count's name has never passed :
my sister lips, nor has she ever in any
way alluded TO him. But Dora found .
her one day weeping silently over pic |
,ure which she put away without its |
being seen.
have not told how the accident hap I
pcned. The master machnisl, himself /
in love with Dora, had cul several strands /.
sl the cords 10y which the car was secured. /
lie openly ayOwed his crime, and only /
regretted that Dora had not been killed. |
'She rejected me with scorn," he said on /
his trial. "I was resolved she should I
never giye her hand to another" He
was maniieslly maniac. | can never /
forgive myself Tor not watching him
more closely after that encounter under /
the stage-Aldine.
"A wise clergyman, now deceased,