Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-12
CHAPTER III.

u
SOME ten days had elapsed since the
return of Charles Wilmer to the fort, ere
Capt Fritz was satisfied that he had suf6-
ciently punished Ida for her fancied attempt
to excite his jealousy, by flirting with Ma.
Dade. During this period, he had main
tanned q naughty and distant demeanor
towards her, and with self-satis6ed smile,
saw her morning after morning, ride off
with the Major, whilst he, as often, accom-
panied Bell Brown, and always oontrived
to meet with Ida in the course of her ride,
manifesting, on each occasion, supreme
indifference to her and the utmost devo-
tion to his companion.
At length he relented and became all
smiles and attention-fancying that he
saw in Idas every look, delight at the
change in his manner. Meeting her, one
bright afternoon, as she was strolling
along the bank of the river, he offered his
arm, saying: 81
II am surprised, Ida, to end you enjoy
ing this fine evening, unattended by the
MAJOR who seems to claim monopoly Of
your society"
II am aware Of no such claim, sir" she
replied, ''though am free to confess that
his company is more agreeable to me than
that of most of the occupants of the fort,
~. ca,oala -
"That is very evident, ma am, unless he
forces himself into your company, or is
encouraged in his attentions for purpose
of your own" He replied, with know
iag smile.
ra "A purpose of my own!" she exclaim
cd, Withdrawing her arm from his, and
booking up with flashing eye. "What
purpose can hope to subserve by line
of conduct unjust to him, and disgraceful
to myself? Will you explain, sir9"
Come, now" he replied; "don't fly all
to pieces because you find that l under
stand your game. Explain, indeed =
Why, am astonished that you feign
Ignorance of my meaning"
: Capt. Fritz, you are impertinent-no
gentleman would dare address such langu-
age to lady, and command you to leave
me
"Are you indeed angry, Miss HOlmesY''
lie asked, with look of astonishment
and increduHty, "Then beg pardon /;
and to prove that no offence was intended,
listen to my confession"
aI win listen to nothing you have to
say, sir. Your excessive vanity has taught
You to believe that you have won my heart,
and that ! am ready, as soon you grant
permission, to throw myself into your
arms and return thanks for the high
privilege I have viewed, with mingled
pity and contempt, you Irritation will Bell
Brown, with the confident hope that it
would give me pain and the Major has
Soined me in many hearty laugh at your
consummate folly And now, sir, that
you may no longer indulge vain hopes
and make a fool Of yourself, understand,
once for all, that contempt is the only
feeling can ever entertain for you"
She turned upon her heel, and hastily
returned to the fort, leaving the Captain
fixed to the spot, the picture Of amazement
The yells Of thousand savages, at the
gates Of the fort, could not have astonished
him more than this speech of Iday and
vain as he was, he had sense enough to
know that she spoke as she felt His eyes
were rivetted upon her retreating figure
until, turning a sharp angle, it disappeared
his last glimpse-hoops were not then
in vogue--being her long brown curl'
floating on the breeze, and flashing like
threads of gold, as the rAys of the setting
sun danced through them. ..f.
Fritz, iikGNllme Of his stamp, knew
ne medium between love aud hsts-th'