Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-03-27

time, the struggle was kept up between
wounded pride and her woman's curiosity,
The letter al LAST conquered, and, with a
palpitating heart, the note was read and
re-read, until with closed eyes, she could
have seen every word it contained. The
memory of other days was wildly recalled,
and tear after tear fell unheeded, as she
reviewed those brighter scenes in the past,
when love and hope impaired to the future
their own brilliant hues, Important events
in her life, hung upon the issue of the
struggle then going on within her; and rs
curiosity had decided in favor of reading
| the note, so IL ultimately prevailed upon
her to grant the interview. And though
resolved to go through with it, she was,
during the intervening time, strangely
agitated; and to reassure herself, she re-
peatedly asked what she had to fear from
meeting, which would only be one out
of many, at the same place, and with the
same man. na a
The time atlength arrived, and, by the
light Of the stars, Fanny, with beating
heart, but light step, fastened to the ap-
pointed placc-glancing anxiously from
side TO side, as if fearful Of interruption
or of prying observation. Safely arrived
upon the spot, she leaned against the body
of the tree, breathing quick, and gazing
eagerly in the direction whence her lover
was to make his appearance, A moment
later, and scarf, tightly drawn, bound
her arms securely to her body, whilst
another pair of hands dexterously applied
bandage to her lips, which effectually
ensured her silence. Thus bound, she
was gently lifted and borne to the carriage,
into which she was raised, followed by her
captors, and rapidly driven to the city,
and along its streets until the house was
reached, in which she was to be tenn
porary prisoner.
During the whole time, not word had
been spoken, and il was only whom she was
ushcrcd into a lighted room, somewht re-
moved from the street. that she had an op-
portunity to see her captor--for only one
attended her thus far. During the drive,
she fancied herself the victim of some
lawless wretch who had used the name of
Winters as a snare and D'Orvillc and
Durand were vaguely associated as actors
! in the scene. What, then, was her sur
prise, when she recognized the identical
dress in which she believed Winters had
appeared to her at the Masquerade! Under
the shock, she would have fallen TO the
floor, but for the support of her attendant
Whilst he sustained her, gaily dressed
woman entered, and, with a significant
look and gesture, he resigned Fanny to
her care, and disappeared.
The woman removed her bonds, and
Fanny sank, exhausted into chair, the
intensest agony depicted on her counte-
nance, and unrelieycd by single tear.
Her campanion stood by, calmly admiring
the exquisite beauty of her prisoner,
though not without feeling rebuked by
the spotlcss purity in whose presence she
stood. But ere her scrutiny was finished
Fanny startled her by exclaming:
"WOmap, where am l, and why am I
here2"
"Ask no questions, Miss" was the rO-
ply, "and be content with the knowledge
that no harm is intended you; Mr.. Win
ters is clover gentleman, and felt bound,
for your own safety, to remove you, tenn
porarily, beyond the danger that threatens
you at home" ....
"Nither Mr. Winters, nor any one else, u
said Fanny, with energy, "has right tn
confne me here, SO let me pass, for go !
will; and if you attempt to stop me, I will
call for help
"You must not leave, just now" said
the woman, STEPPING back against the door
you are in part Of the city with which
You are unacquainted, and were you to GO
upon the street, you could not escape worse
usage than you will meet with here Then
let me persuade you to be quiet until NOR
ming, when your lover will return and
satisfy you that he has acted for the best
Here you will pass the night in safety
and every thing has been provided that il
necessary to your comfort"
And without waiting for a reply, she
went out, locking the door on the outside
We will not attempt to describe the feel
ings Of our hervine, when left alone to pc
! feet upon her position, and to imagine
what might be tho end, Her FIRST suspc