The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-08-26
Copyright, 1893, by the Authorl
CHAPTER XXX.
A PHOTOGRAPH.


old, black Wainscotting half way up its
walls whose thickness afforded room
for deep recesses, the floor matted.
Here, half reclining in the comfortably
cushioned embrasure Of long, low,
diamond.paned window she talked to
Stella. The sun was bright upon this
summers day, and from the wilderness
OF roses beneath the open easement
came delicious perfumes; the buzzing
OF bee stirred the drowsy air.
1t was little more than week from
their first meeting, but they had seen
each other every day since then, apd 1t
seemed to both as II they had been
friends for years. Sympathy, the key
to understanding, may achieve in a day
what a lifetime OF acquaintanCeship
migha fail to reaize-a knowledge OF
character, appreciation, perception Of
mind. This had been the case between
these two, and thus their friendship had
arisen, quickly, but solidly,
Ada had never had for companion or
friend a girl OF her own age; one to
whom she might make revelations con.
corning the thoughts and feelings Of
her dawning womanhood, with whom
she might compare emotions, or specu-
late on possibilities, Nor had Stella |
met with one to whom she had become
so quickly attached. whose friendship |
che valued so greatly. But regarding |
the chief chapter in their respective
lives, dealing with their affections and |
the consequences following neither |
had yet spoken to the other. Stella |
naturally avoided the topic because OF
the pain and humiliation it must bring
her; through shyness Ada RETAINED |
from imparting confidence which II |
was her desire to be shared.
Almost from the first time she had
seen that Stella was unhappy; this was
noticeable in the gravity Of her face
when in repose, in the languor Of her
limbs when abe moved, in the intro |
spective and pathetic expression in her
eyes during moments OF silence and
iorgetiulness OF surroundings. To Ada's |
mind, there could be but one cause for
sorrow-a love disregarded or crossed
byfate. This rendered Stella more in
teresting and added o tinge OF romance !
to her portrait as painted in her
friends mind.
Often she had longed to question Stella |
on the subject, yet refrained from nat
ural delicacy; but to-day, there was
something in Stella's manner, more
gentle and aadder than usual, that
seemed to warrant an intrusion into &C.
crets whose poignancy might be lessen.
ed by being discussed. The way to this !
delicate subject had moreover been
paved by remarks both had made re.
garding the heroine OF a novel they had
been reading. Each had stated the way
in which abe would have acted II sur.
rounded by circumstances such as en-.
tramelied the heroine, who had be.
haved in manner they condemned as
heartless.
~ have heard" commented Ada,
THAT women without hearts make the
happiest wives"
"1hat's sad, II true"
Then after pause and with earnest.
ness, Ada said, "Tell me, have you ever
been in love2"
Stella started and a pink color flushed |
her cheeks.
eyes," she answered quickly.
Every much?"
my whole heart was given to him."
she replied dreamily, as II speaking to
herself rather than to her hearer. "My
lie was merged in his, l depended on
him for myh happiness, and only through |
HIM could Joy or sorrow reach me"
ut was terrible to DO so dependent
on one man."
II know thai"
"Where is hep
Stella made no immediate reply;
presently she said, ale is dead"
"l'm sdfry--so sorry, dear" Ada re.
marked, crossing over to her friend and
kissing her mpassionately.
Stella wondered II she would have
kissed her did abe know all, aud she
shuddered at the thoughts that rose be-
fore her. Then recalling herself she
heard Ada asking when he had died.
IA few months ago." she replied.
THAT'S why you Away look SO sad;
itmust have been dreadful"
II was. At FIRST the whole world
seemed empty; there was nothing lett
me but memory, which was madness"
II have never loved 40 deeply as
that" Ada said reaactively, Though l
have loved someone very much"
THAT must make you happy"
"Oh, no, 1t makes mo miserable; he
has gone away, and ! may never see
him again." explained Ada, q mist
gathering in her eyes AT thoughts OF
Vergll.
"why did you let him go it you
liked him2"
"He was poor, aud my father would
never let me marry him; he wants me
to marry another man, but shan't."
"You don't like him-the otherT"
that "
,Is he old?"
about forty. I'll show you his pho.
tograph, saying which she went to a
drawer, and taking out Redtriars like.
ness handed II to Stella.
The latter glanced at II, carolessly at
fret, and then with staring eyes and
set face. Presently abe looked at Ada,
with an expression at once wild and
SWGat il II, Stellar" Ada asked in
alarm.
"whose partrait 10 thisP" Stella
asked with dry lips and beating heart
LNtu novhIiMbj yOu hHVm hil
Lord Rcdiriars.-no" She dropped
tile photograph and lay back In hor
chair, drawing her breath hard aB II 70.
covering from O shock.
"You arc illT Ada said.
mo, no, but for moment was re.
minded Of him"
"Of the dead 2"
"Yes-thet6 Is llkeness--it has
made mo nervous"