The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-28

!nWaTuly ag1tated, and IN spite OF every ef-
fort to control herself, manif Tested too plainly
the fact that she was i'll at ease. ss
Fancy parties were novelties at the time,
and al, except Ada, who usually led off on
festive occasions, entered into the spirit Of
the hour. Even Dr.. Bedford appeared to
enjoy himself as much as any But the
beautiful coquette, whose peculiar style Of
costume attracted all eyes, had, for once,
lost the gay exterior for which she was ever
distinguished, and there were but few pres
ent ~ whom this was not remarked.
Once or twlte Ada was thrown directly
INTO the company of DR.. Bedford. when he
treated her with an ease and politeness that,
more than anything else, tended to extin
guish the hope that had arisen into fame
in her heart. Had he manifested any emo
ton, had he looked grave, troubled, indig-
nant: PROUD. naughty or anything else but
cai calm lnelHerent and self possessed, Ada
would have felt sure Of her power over him.
but perception OF the real truth was as
distant to her as If the most emphatic words.
sealing her fate, had been uttered in her.
ears.
Earlier than the lest, Ada retired, unable
longer to control herself as she could wish.
and unwilling to expose to eyes already too
observant, the change that had come over
her feelings a ,5
From that hour Ada Glenn ceased to be
the gay, buoyant, attractive girl, who had
extorted admiration from so MANY. and
trihed, in her vain pride and thouehtless-
ness, with all. She rarely went in company
and then her sober mien left her USUALLY
IN the background. The lively belle in a
few months ceased to attract attention, and
young men who had been captive at her
feet wondered why she had exercised such
power over them
AS for Bedford, he erred in believing
that, with single effort of the will, he had
eHaced forever the immage Of Ada from
his mind. Wounded pride ana honest
indignation had raised him, in a moment.
| superior to the weakness OF his nat ure.
But long period did not pass before line
after line began to reappear, and before he
was really aware of what was going on with
In, he found himself gazing upon the i'm
age OF the maiden distinct as ever upon
his heart
The discovery, when first made, was far
from being pleasant to the young man land he
turned from the fair image with impatient
scorn. But turn which way he would, it
was still before him. Occasionally he heard
OF Adaas greatly changed, and sometimes
ne was thrown into company with her, when
the change was apparent to his own eyes.
These meetings. whenever they took place,
left him in a musing, sober state, There
was something about Ada that still inter
ested him; and when, as it occasionally
happened, he looked suddenly toward her,
and met her eyes fixed intently upon him
with a sad, earnest, tender look. he had feel
lngs that he was hardly able to understand.
Thus affairs progressed, until, unexpect-
edly, the young couple found themselves
brought together at q picnic. DR.. Bedford
was less displeased at this circumstance
| than he would have been a few months ear
ier; but he was careful not to- throw him
self purposely in Ada's way, fer his self
possession and cool indifference, so far as
she was concerned, no longer existed. The
thought of her, even, had now power to
disturb the pulsations of his heart
The pleasant day had now drawn neatly
to a close. Two or three times Bedford
had been brought into such close contact
with Ada, that he could not, without ap-
pearing rude, have avoided speaking few
words to her. On these occasions he said
little; but it was impossible to help observ-
ing, in the manner of her replies, in the
tones, and in the expression of her counte-
nance, something that told him as plain as
! language could have uttered it, that she
deeply repented of her former conduct
toward him. h#i
It is too late, the young man said to
| himself, with some bitterness of feeling,
| as he reflected on what was impossible not
to perceive. And even as he said this,
there arose extenuating arguments in his
mind that he in vain strove to expel.
Disturbed by such thoughts and feelings,
DR.. Bedford wandered away from the
gay party, and remained alone for nearly
an hour. As,he returned, he came sud
denly upon Ada, seated in a pensive atti-
tude, just above little dashing waterfall,
down into which she was looking She
was so entirely lost in the scene, or, more
probably, in thoughts which it was impos-
sible to drive out of her mind. that she did
not observe the young mans approach.
Bedford paused suddenly, and his first i'm
pulse was to retreat. But, not being able
to get himself to do this, he, after little
hesitation, advanced, and when within
few PAGES. reused her from her reverie by
a few lightly uttered words Ada turned
with start, while deep crimson mantled
her face. It was some time before she
could command herself sufficiently to reply
with anything like compo sure, and even
then ner voice slightly trembled.
Few words passed between them, as, side
by side, they slowly returned to where they
had left their companions, for both were
afraid to trust themselves to- speak. But
that meeting had decided the fate Of both.
Before a week elapsed DR.. Bedford. break
ing through pride and every other restrain
ing sentiment, visited Ada, and before
leaving her renewed his offer of marriage,
which was accepted amid gush of joyful
tears. Deeply. had Ada suffered through
her folly, and from her suffering she had
come forth purer, truer and better
woman. ~
There are few like Ada. But rarely does
the vain coquette escape with SO brief a
period of suffering. Usually with her tits
a lifelong sorrow and repentance. After
rejecting, with heartless leyity, her worthy
suitors, she yields her hand at last to the
most unworthy, and unblessed by true
affection, goes YEARLY on her way through
the world, glad when the hour comes in
which she may lay down her burdens and
find rest and peace in the quiet grave.
The Poet Bryant's Diffidence.
Mrs. Legget in the Detroit Post and Tribune
/