The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1884-06-19

Think, dearest? l am sure of
it, if you will but try. The trouble
is, that yor haven't sufficient con-
fidencc in your own abilities. Oh,
I should be so proud Of you if you
succeeded"
Flora's eyes glittered.
Mrs. Ormsworthy never allowed
her to forget the object of her am
bition. Naturally indolent, she
seemed to have changed her whole
nature. She rose early to study.
Late at night the light burned in
the rose-tinted boudoir which had
been fitted up especially for her
use Whenever she seemed in any
degree to flag. Adelaide was at her
side, cheering and speeding her
on.
Quick and very brilliant herself,
it never occurred TO Mr. .Ormsworthy
that Flora was overworking herself
to reach that very ordinary degree
of success which she was attain
ing,
At last the period of fruition ar
rived. To Mrs. Ormsworthy's de
light Flora was one Of the crowded
platform in sight Of the assembled
throng, who annually witnessed the
Commencement Exercises of Ma
dame Cecini's famous school, to
receive a glittering gold medal, a
prize for her proficiency in mathe-
matics, and q silver one for the
best composition.
Adelaide clasped her arms firmly
about the young girl as she return.
ed, blushing and radiant, from the
stage.
"Oh, my darling said she. IF
your papa could but be here to
share my pride-my happiness -
Flora laid the medals softly in
her step mothers lap, saying weari-
ly: keep them for me, mamma,
| don't care for them myself. 1t
was for you l worked--for your
sake and papa's."
That night Flora was taken sick.
Brain fever said the physician,
whom the frightened step mother
made haste to call in" She isgrowing
worse rapidly: she has naturally
a delicate constitution, You have
worked her too hard madam
"I?" cried poor Adelaide.
Yes, ma'am Didn't l hear my
little daughter say she took two
prizes in school yesterday?'
Yes
Il greatly fear they have been
purchased with her life said the
doctor, gravely.
These young brains are delicate
pieces of machinery, and if one of
the wheels get cloggcd, it's serious
business to get it into working or
der again. However," said, he and
his face looked anxiously serious.
"we'll do our best, God helping
u.s."
Poor Adelaide. For the first
time she began to be conscious that
she had been untrue to the trust she
had laid upon her-the care ofFlora
whose dead mother lay beneath the
velvety sod.
And as the days dragged slowly
on, and she could hear people whis-
pering in the ante-room without,
the weight dragged her poor heart
still lower down.
Secure though she was in the
consciousness Of her own good in
tentions, she could but ask herself
what answer she should make her
husband when he returned and asked
her Of his child.
But often she had pictured to her
Sinking fancy the scene Of Alberts S
return, the reality was ten times
worse.
lie came unexpected, intending
pleasant surprise, and when he
saw Flora tossing on her bed OF
illness, looking him full in the face
with unrecognizing eyes, and heard
Mclissa's version Of the whole affair
he said, between his set teeth:
"Adelaide. if my child should
die, 1 shall never forgive you
Adelaide recoiled from his stern
words as if they had been q blow,
and covered her face with her
hands.
Il meant it all for the best, "
she answered; "Oh, God! can it
be that 1 have made so fatal mis-
take?'
But Flora did not die.
It was on the very evening that
she passed the crisis of the disease
with fair promise of recovery.
She'll do'now'' said the doctor,
rubbing his hands.
Adelaide, kneeling at her hus-
bands feet, cried out through
binding tears:
albert, oh, Albert can you for
give me?'
dearest, can you forgive me
those cruel words?'
That was the beginning Of the
new life.
When Flora came hack to them
from the grave, rs it were-there
was no more strifc-no more urging
the brain into artificial growth.
Adelaide had received lesson
"Henceforth,' she said, Il shall
love and treasure nv Step-daughter