Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-12-03


and in cheerful vein endeavor to con
verse upon some congcuial theme; but the
fathers practised eye detected the shallow
pretence, and OWNED its cause; but his
lips, for obvious reasons, were sealed. In
his kindness of heart, he strove as far as
might be to assist his young friend in his
attempts at cheerfulness; while in his own
heart he secretly grieyed that Grace 8
choice had fallen upon Edward. There
was more than one reason that made him
dwell upon this subject in his own mind.
He not only felt regret, but he was rather
surprised, since he had believed that he
had thoroughly studied his daughters feel
ings, and if he had rightly understood
them, Ernest would have been her choice,
That cvening-it was the evening prior to
the final devastating, and the last that
Ernest would probably ever pass in that
dear place,--tbat evening he strolled to,
wards the little arbor at the head of the
garden, while the rich western horison
still reflected the gorgeous twilight hues
His heart seemed near to breaking, and
he bit his lips as he walked on, and
thought Of leaving Grace Osgood for ever
And this he felt he must do to morrow
He could never return and see her the wife
of another, not even as Edwards wife (;
he could not bear to think of such poss-
ibility, And then he said to himself:
10, that had never seen her-never
beheld SO much loveliness that can new
er possess r s. Is s. is spga saI
He walked on musing thus, when he was
suddenly startled by hearing lew, and
as he thought, convulsive sob. What
could it mean? He was very near the ar
Dor. He would look in quietly, and see if
it proceeded from thence. Approaching
the entrance noiselessly, he found these
sobs to increase in distinctness, and as he
fairly gained view of the interior of the
little summer house, sight met his eye
that he would probably never forget,
He was still undiscovered, and he paus-
ed for moment to gaze upon the form of
Grace Osgood, who was seated with her
back to the entrance. Her gentle bosom
was heaving with quickened emotion, q
pearly tear was coursing down her lovely
face, and deep drawn sigh ever and an
on relieved in part the aching fullness of
her heart She held in her hand tiny
object which she was bathing in tears, and
now as Ernest stood there, she pressed it
tenderly to her lips. sot a.i.re| ta-D
"Was he crazeds did he dream as he
stood there2 Was this Grace Osgood, and
was the object she was thus weeping over
and covering with kisses the moss rosebud
he had given herP What could all this
mean? Alas his own disappointment
must have unsettled his reason, and this
was but mad fantasy of his brain. 1t
must be so; but he must speak to her.
He had never told her his love; he could
not now restrain his feelings, and hasten.
ing forward, he knelt at her feet,
"Grace-ah, dearest Grace, tell me what
this means tell me if / am not Indifferent
to you. Tell me why you weep over that
little token"
"Alas Ernest" said the timorous and
blushing girl, "I have indeed betrayed my
self. Iueed not tell you any more plain
ly the promptings eff my heart"
"Do hear aright2" said the now i'm
petuous Ernest. "Is it possible that you
can respond to the secret love have so
long borne for you, and which have new.
er dared to tell you ?"
Her head sank upon his shoulder asrhe
knelt there. He needed no other reply.
His arm encircled her dear form, and he
was happy. rlrr as,J
IF we were 10 attempt to describe the
secret satisfaction of Mr.. Osgood, when
he privately listened to Ernests request
for Grace's hand, we should fail to give il
half the real force that moved her affec-
tionato parents breast.
~ feL that knew my daughters heart
I would not believe had fruitlessly stud
led her for so long" he repeated to him
self. "Have her, sirP Yes, with all my
heart, and may God bless you both. You
are worthy of each other, be replied, with
tears in his eyes
Edward was not long in learning the
result. At first, he felt little piqued, but
he was too much of a man Of the world
at heart to suffer il to.render him unhap-