Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-30

now that you have made me more desirous
than ever to prolong the interview" He
asked, as she passed him.
81 have already staid too long, Mr..
Lee.p She answered, without turning her
head, or pausing to hear more. "We are
mistaken in our former estimate of each
others character, and it is better not to
attempt to renew an intercourse which has
been the cause of much unhappiness, per-
haps, to US both. ~
II will not disguise the fact;" he said,
finding himself, almost unconsciously,
walking by her side, athat l have been
made miserable by reports that have reach
ed me, and which | have, perpaps, too
readily believed. And if you have any
regard for my happiness-or rather, if
you will do an act of charity by removing
the painful anxiety which is undermining
health and happiness, only assure me that
those reports are false-your word will
suffice against the testimony of the world ;
and whatever may be the result of our in
tercourse, in other respects, shall owe
you debt of gratitude for the favor con-
fered.
''If you, sir" she replied, "have any
regard for my happiness, you will cease to
harrass me with questions which l am re-
solved to answer but once. And if you
have too readily believed reports that have
magnifed the indiscretions of my girlhood
into crimes, / shall leave it to time to con-
firm or remove your present Impressions /;
and beg therefore, that you will not add
to my wretchedness by dwelling longer
upon the painful theme If it has been
my misfortune to cause you moments
unhappiness, sincerely regret it, and to
avoid, for the future, a like infiction, leave
me to my fate, and endeavor to forget that
there is such being in existence"
Her voice faitered, and tears gathered
in her eyes This was an argument that
Mr.. Lee could not resist, especially when
enforced by so much beauty, and address
sed to heart too full of sympathy and
| love to resist conviction so eagerly de-
! sired. All that he had heard was forgot
ten, while under the influence she exerted
over him. and the doubts he had entertain
ed of her integrity seemed but so many
proofs of his own cruel Justice. Passing
from one extreme to the other, his conf
dence in Helen was even greater than if
he had never doubted, herand the passion he
had been striving to subdue, now mastered
his whole being-and grasping her hand,
Ire exclaimed:
"Endeavor to forget you, Helen No,
never Let NE rather entreat you to for
get my own injustice to you, which | am
sure you will do, when you learn all the
circumstances that forced me to doubt
you. Tell me that l am forgiven ou
do not speak, Helen! Have l offended
too deeply to be forgiveu?"
Leave me, for the present, Mr. Lee" )"
Said Helen, with slight effort to with
draw her hand from his. Mistake not
your generous sympathy for return Of
that love which you just now believed |
had forfeited forever. This sudden change
from cold disdain to ardent professions of
confding love, is the result of feeling,
not deliberate Judgment, and | cannot list
en- to your protestations so long as l be-
lieve you mistake their true source"
"I am not-cannot be mistaken in my
feelings, Helen. love you, if possible
more than ever. Only assure me that
do not love in vain-promise that this
hand shall be mine, and you will make il
my duty-asitwill be my pride-to defend
you against the envious and malicious who
= seek to detract from your worth and MAJ
your happiness, 3g
Il cannot give you the promise you re-
quire, Mr. Leo--at least not at this time,
"And why not at this time, Helen? il
it because you do not reciprocate my feel
ings, or is it because you want time fo
reflection? p
, cit is simply, sir, because wish to Dc
you justice, and exact justice to myself
The reports you have heard, to my preju
dice, are in part, true. Go and compar
my explanation with the statements of 9th
j., ers; weigh well all the circumstances, an,
n when you have done so, if you still thinl
q this hand worth having, and will receiv
. it with the fullest confidence that it i
. worth your acceptance, it shall be yours;
otherwise, you are under no obligations