The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-11-26
A TEST OF LOVE.

hand on Erwin's arm and led him to
one of the cozy little sitting rooms adj
joining the dancing hall
"You must be angry with me, at least
greatly surprised. l hGstcned on at
Ada's urgent l'qucst. A day after my
arrival insisted that you should follow
without giving any reason that could
seem adequate to you. 1t was so very
good of you to come that cannot re-
frain froln expressing my gratitude. To
be brief, l desire very much that you
should marry Ada.
but, my dear baroness" exclaimed
the young man c2citedly.
'Do you not love herr"
with all my heart
And are you not sure that my little
friend rociprocates your feeling?"
81 have at tines felt convinced that
she does But woman's heart, you
know
Twins frank and manly face became
sad
81 thought had heard about ring
that Ada gave to you some time siLce?"
She touched with her finger finely
carved cameo set in band of gold on
Erwin's hand
"You are slightly in error about
this, baroness That Walter Bramont,
Ada's brother, was my dearest friend,
you, of course, know We went to
school and afterward to college togeth-
er. The friendly relations between Ada's
brother and myself date back to those
days. When the poor lad lay on his
deathbed, he desired to leave to me a
token of his friendship. By his sister,
Ada, he sent me this ring. Since that
day it has never left my hand. But as
she was merely the executrix of her
brothers. will, have no right to base
false hopes upon his gift. "
II look upon it as an indication that
Ada loves You, said Baroness Defoe
musingly. '"To make sure of it, wish
you to sue for her hand in marriage.
Be brave and ask her to dance with you.
| The rest will take care of itself.
The baroness dismissed Erwin with a
graceful wave of her pretty hand, then
followed him slowly from afar.
Making his way through sea Of silk
and satin trains, Baron Erwin Won Gerz
stood at last before Ada.
MAY heaven bless them" whisper
ed the baroness fervently, and for the
nonce her hands were folded as if in
prayer
The ball given by the Bramonts was
for days tie sole topic of conversation
among the upper ten of the capital
The toilets Of the women, the splendor
of the arrangements were discussed by
enthusiastic and envious tongues alike;
but the sweetest morsel of gossip was
Ada Bramonts engagement to the Mar
cheese Luciano, which had been an.
nounced before the evening came to a
close.
The Baroness Defoe informed her
husband Of their friends unsuccessful
suit. He came too late, she wrote,
therein lies the secret of his defeat. "
The Marchese Luciano was not painted
in flattering colors. He is handsome
man, and chivalrous enough to win any
young and romantic girls heart. But
believe that be is insincere and that
mercenary motives have prompted him
to ask for her hand.
The baroness was not alone in her es.
innate of the handsome marchese S char
acter. Her opinion was shared by many
of Ada's friends.
Ada BramOnts father was man OF
sterling qualities, who had made his
way i'll the world by dint Of energy and
business sagacity. He was considered G
very rich man. His integrity and prac
tical knowledge Of human nature haC
never been questioned, and many were
therefore surprised that he should give
Ada into the keeping of man who wa!
at best considered to be a fortune hunter
Though she could not confide to Ada
the thoughts that disturbed her, Bar
oness Defoe, with her usual tact, touched
lightly upon the events of the nigh
soon after Ada had dismissed her guests
and joined her friend in her room.
Adas face betrayed agitation wheI
Erwin Won Gerz name was mentioned
but she regained her self control.
Il do not deny that 1 like Erwin
Baron Gerz, l mean" answered til,
young girl. Il like him very much in
, deed. l might have married him if cir
. cumstances had brought us togethe
, sooner, but he lived most of the time il
the country and showed no inclination
3 for more than formal acquaintance
4 How could | guess that he desired t,
g marry me? When he asked me at last
it was too late. The marchese had IN,
word, and l saw no reason for al
> tering my decision. You know, it i
papa's pet scheme to have his daughte
= marchesa Why should l upset j
now?"
II thought as much, p" murmured tn
? older woman. Erwin has come to
late.
t A few days later the Baroness Defo
n returned to her home in the interior O
# the state. The separation from he
n friend tried the young girl sorely. Sh
q was motherless from infancy and ha
learned TO lean upon the older woma
,, in all the little difficulties that beset
e young girls life. To please his daughte
u Mr.. Bramont determined to take a sum
| -. l. IL ii