The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-12-05
Selfrt Sturu.
A BRAVE DEED.

Ada Car6t was decidedly the belle oi
Sharborough; and as that small but
bus,iag Midland town had n reputation
among its neighbors for lovely lasses
the distinction was great one.
In figure the girl was somewhat small
and slight, but in feature she had attain
ed almost to perfection, both Of outline
and of tint
She had lofty, well-proportioned
brow around which rippled rich waves OF
auburn hair.
She had eyes of dreamy blue, cheeks
Just sufficiently tinged with delicate car
mine to throw into relief the pearly
whiteness of her teeth
The worst of it was she knew that she
va, beautiful, and the knowledge spoiled
her.
Ada was the only child OF wealthy
Scarborough manufacturers and added to
her other charms that of being very
considerable helress
Naturally she had Of suitors not .
few.
But Ladies Clara We're de We're can
exist in much lower circles than that of
the poets faullless heroine, and Ada
had caught the vice OF proud coquet.
ry.
She relished her power over suscepti-
BILE hearts and did her best to extend it,
Tue breath OF homage was life to
her.
She led her wooers gently on till the
tolls were all around them and then, OF
sudden. they found an impalpable, i'm
passable barrier erected, and Ada's smiles
were for newer comers
II was an amusement, half the z ,st OF
being to her; she never wasted an anx
IIious thought on what it might mean to
her victims.
Men were strong and must protect
themselves.
The last TO enter the charmed circle
had been youth from the North, who
| iG appearance and manners was certain
ly at a disadvantage with those whom he
quickly came to consider his rivals.
Roger Herestone was two and twen-
ly; but his thick-set, burly figure, and
his abundance of beard made him look
years older
He wa. heavy in feature, uncertain in
movement, and awkward in address
AS the nephew of Mr.. Marston, o.
Marston 4 Marsh, cotton. mill owners
his prospects were very good
But the knowledge of this fact some
bow failed to give him the needed self.
confidence.
Rogers manv hluuders made him to q
large extent the butt OF his male &C.
qnain,ance and it was probably this that
caused Ada Cartit, out of sheer opposi-
tion 10 treat him with marked favor.
"PhiIip Dare. the LAWYER, had likened
Roger TO the proverhial "bull In china
sbop;" and Philip Dare should he made
to bite his lip with vexation at her def
erence to the despised one.
But once again she was kind only to
be cruel.
81 cannot tell whether she cares for
me or does not" SAID Roger Herlestone
10 his younger brother, Martin. ''Some.
times think one thing and sometimes
another. But this l am sure o., she is
all the world to me-"
"Then I'd ask her, old fellow"
"But-but-she has always so many
round her. Ada Car6t is the queen oil
large circle, and l."
"Have been the best Of sons, the bes'
of brothers. and l have no doubt would
make the hest OF husbands
"And l." said Roger, resuming slowly
and paying no heed to this enthusiastic
praise, "am rough and homely man
who has almost as good right to dream
of becoming Prime Minister as of win
ming such q wife "
Nonsense, Roger! Don't he so un
necessarily modest. You are just 81
good as she, and The girl must know it.
"Then," and the elders tone changed
suddenly. "I'll put it to the test and see
If Ada refuses me, it will be just another
dream dispelled, and l shall face tht
worst"
The opportunity soon came.
The two were thrown much togethe
: at summer picnic party, and some ma
lign genius made Ada more than eve
gracious.
II seemed to her that she had sue
ceeded in thawing the ice of her admir-
er's awkwardness, anil the studied com
pliments he paid her awoke the CLEAN o
sunny, satisfied smile
She llttle suspected the commotio
that was working bcnea'h the surface.