Year: 1866

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sary to bear her away from her native city


There are some persons who were born
with spirit too naughty to bow to poverty;
who were born to be bowed to instead of
bowing, and such an one was Ada Living
stone. Even in her destitution she lost none
of her native haughtiness; disdaining to
stoop to associate with those who were her
equals as far as wealth was concerned, she
went on her way alone. In losing her prince
" fortune, and then being reduced to pow
ertv. she had suffered as only such natures
as hers can suffer but when he to whom she
had entrusted her whole happiness, he upon
whom she had lavished all the wealth of her
proud heart when he turned around and
threw away the gift as he would have tossed
a withered flower from his hand, all the fire
of her nature was aroused, and she resolved
that the time should come when Alfred Con-
rad should bow to her and sue her favor
but sue in vain.


1t has been said truly that ''sorrow reveals
forces in ourselves we never dreamed of,
and so in Ada. Though she had ever been
passionate admirer of the beautiful; though
there was music to her in every rustling for
est-leaf, and melody in every singing bird
though in her soul there were whole volumes
of unwritten poetry and unsung songs, they
were never uttered until sorrow scorching
fame swept over her. Then it ali gushed
forth and, entranced, the multitude read,
their hearts thrilling with strange emotions
as they eagerly drank in every word which
fell from her no longer idle pen.


Piece succeeded piece until she was aston
ished at her own powers. Her fame had
already reached Merton, her native city, but
they were not aware that Miss Livingstone,
poetess, and Ada Livingstone, were the
same and she had studiously concealed the
fact save from few choice friends, who
had remained true to her in adversely.


In four years from the time she left her
home she returned, at the earnest solieita-
tions of her friends, to spend the winter
She had purpose to accomplish, or, per-
haps, she would not have consented to re-
main so long. 1t was known all over the
city that Miss Livingstone, the celebrated
poetess, was to arrive ON Tuesday evening
and invitations had been sent to about three
hundred persons for grand party on Friday
evening. At an early hour, on that evening,
the spacious mansion of Mr.. Bernard waS4
crowded. Hardly one of the invited guests
failed to be present, so great was the desire
to see one of whom they had read so much.
A perfect throng of bright and beautiful
forms were whirling over the floor a; every
gem upon their persons sparkling with a
splendid lustre beneath the glowing chande-
lier, which seemed, actually, raining light
upon them, when Alfred Conrad entered:-
He was little later than the rest not be-
cause he was any the less anxious to see the
celebrated authoress than the rest, but be-
cause business had detained him.


He was presented to her, and, with all the
skill of his intriguing nature, be endeavored
to make an impression, little dreaming that
the hand which now so coldly touched his
had lain warm and throbbing in it years be-
fore or that, that face, which was now so
white and calm, had ever flushed as his step
approached. He did not recognize her; and
she, seemingly pleased with his graceful at
tentions-for he was in reality one of those
fascinating men that it is hard to resist-suf-
fered herself to be led away by him for a
quadriIle, and throughout the evening she
received his attentions with quiet grace.


That night, when Alfred Conrad lay slum
bering upon his pillow, his dreams were all
Of beautiful lady with large mournful eyes,
L. L IL g
light and love- All through the winter he
was the devoted admirer of Ada, andamong
the host of admiring ones, who would have
been glad to approach nearer, only they
dared not, the superiority was yielded to him.
He felt certain of the price, and only waited
an opportunity to lay his heart and hand at
her feet 1t came at last. They were alone.
and perfectly confident cf success, he was
not slow in taking advantage of such an OPP
portunity Carelessly taking her hand, he
begun,


"Miss Livingstone; for a long time you
have reigncd queen of my heart may | not
hope that can win you to reign queen of
my home p


Her face was slightly flushed, but, quick
ly regaining her composure, she drew her
hand from his, and, taking tiny locket from
her pocket, she unclasped it and held it be-
fore him, exposing to view his own hand
some face and then the words which had
lain so long like scorching frebrands ir her
heart, burst forth.


''Does Alfred Conrad remember the time
when, once before, he knelt at Ada Living
stones feet, and not in vain plead for her
love ? Does he remember when he placed
this locket in her hands p


He started to his feet and listened, spell
bound, as she went on:


''And perhaps he has not forgotten how,


Iort;t,,t;o,, Stnr.od hnr II, |