Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-03-13

the improvidence Of my father left me
pcnniless. And as additional proof of
fraud, Mr.. orme once remarked, in my
presence, while looking over the papers of
Durand, that it was strange my father
should have sold so large property with
out requiring security; from this, it may
be inferred that if any notes are in his
possession, they are forgeries,"
"a very just inference, my young friend,
and it receives additional confirmation from
the fact that Durand wrote the original
notes, and he could easily have written
duplicates, after hearing of your fathers
death--only omitting my signature. But
l am ready to swear to the originals, and
against any counter6ets that may be pro-
duced in court. Then, proceed, at once,
Mr.. Winters-life is uncertain, and my
testimony may be essential to. your sue
cess"
This advice was given to willing listener;
and, after due acknowledgements to Mr..
Danvers for his invaluable information, so
unreservedly given, Winters and Jones
departed, with promise to return and re-
port progress. Passing near bower, on
their way to the street, Winters beard his
name pronounced in female voice, and
looking in the direction whence the sound
came, white handkerchief, waved by as
white hand, summoned him to the bower.
Requesting Jones not to wait, he entered
the yine-clad summer house, and was thus
addressed by the fair occupant, in a tremul-
Gus tone:
"Do not condem me, Mr.. Winters, for
what must seem, to stranger, an act of
unbecoming bolddness, until you hear my
explanation, which will, hope, elicit more
of sympathy than censure. Perhaps you
have heard Mr.. Hodges speak of lady to
whom he was engaged to be married?"
eyes, have often heard him speak of
Miss Ellen Danvers between whom and
himself, there was promise of marriage ~
II am that lady, sir; and it was to talk
to you about him, that 1 vcntured upon
this step. An unfortunate msunder-
standing, for which T. alone, ain to blame,
led to his sudden disappearance-for he
said, when last We parted, that he would
never see me again until he could look
upon me with indifference. l was then too
proud, and too confident of my power over
him, to seek reconciliation, and it was
only when he had disappeared, that my
pride was subdued. Then would l have
given worlds for one hour with him; but
repentance came too late"
"Not too late, I hope" said Charles,
seeing that she paused from oppression,
and thinking he ought to say something
II firmly believe Ned will return, and very
soon. He loves you most truly, and un-
less you gave him cause for hopeless des-
pair, you may look hopefully to the
future"
81 understand, Mr. Winters, that he
made you his agent, during his absence; and
it was with the hope that he will communi-
cate to you the place of his present abode,
that ventured to con6de to you my secret
Should he do so, beg that you will not
Withhold the information from me-"
"When I hear from him, Miss Danvers,
you shall be Immediately apprised of the
fact And am little surprised that he
has not written, for he assured me, at our
last interview, that he would write from
the first port at which the vessel touched,
when he could, perhaps, inform me where
an answer would reach him. We have a
mutual interest in learning where he is, as
you are we'll aware" ...
"And, presuming upon that mutual in
tererst may l not ask if it never occurred
to you that search, in person, will be
more likely to succeed than enquiry by
letter?' ~ 8"
eyes, it has occurred to me but have
not seriously contemplated it, because he
did not know when he left, in what direc.
tion he might travel He spoke of join
ing the Texan army, of going to the city
of Mexico, to South America and to Europe.
Should l set out to seek him, it would be
with determination to make the search
thorough one; and not knowing where to
go, he might write or return, Immediately
after my departure, leaving me to prosecute
fruitless search, of indefinite duration. "
81 feel the force of your objections, Mr..
Winters, and abandon the scheme. But
let us now look at tho matter in another
point of view. The vessel on which he is