Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-10-08


the manner Of its execution would hav,
induced Mr. Lee to believe that her hear
was untouched by the associations il sug
gested, had he not seen the tear that fell
and sparkled in the light, and marked tn,
play of the mucles that give expression t.
emotions such as then were struggling fol
utterance. The song ended, she arose aut
left the room amidst the pfofoundest 81
lence, and no after persuasion could pre-.
vail upon her to resume it, during the
evening
~ owe you an apology, Helen, said Mr.
Lee, as he was escorting her to the supper
table, I" for the unfortunate selection Of
the song; but besides its being in keeping
with my own feelings, / honestly confess
that desired to learn whether you could
sing il unmoved. The motive was ungen.
erous, but could not resist the tempta.
ton to discover, if possible, whether our
final parting will be without regret on
your part" 81 tae a
"It was unkind,' she replied, in trem
ulous tone, "to make that trial under cir
cumstances calculated to betray to others,
feelings Of nature too sacred TO be dis.
played to the gaze of idle curiosity. Had
you asked the question direct, 1 would
have told you, as honestly as have ever
dealt with you, that our parting will give
me much pnin, and happy would it be for
me, if that pain could be as transient as
the intercourse to which it will owe its
BIRTH saa.t-.., y
81 beg PARDON" he replied, "fcr the
thoughtless cruelty of my conduct, and
thank you from my heart, for the candor
and sincerity with which you have treated
me from our earliest acquaintance. The
woman does net live who could have pas
sed through trials, such as yours, with such
unshaken fortitude, temper - 6forgiving,
and a sense of propriety so unerring; and
l have been at a loss which most to admire
your moral heroism or the clearness and
strength of your intellect. And the time
will come, | trust, when you will learn to
do justice to my motives, and to remem-
Der me as one not altogether unworthy of
your regard"
Mingling with the guests around the
hospitable board, there was no opportun-
ity to prolong their conversation in this
strain, and both exerted themselves, and
successfully, to share in the gaiety of the
occasion, and the evening passed off to the
general satisfaction of the party, which
separated at an early hour and with sim
cere good wishes for the newly welded
pair.
Early on the following morning, Mr..
Eskridge and his beautiful young wife
bade an affectionate adieu to their friends,
and set off for their home in Lexington.
Helen and Ann Lee shed tears at parting
with Jane; Mr.. Berne feared to speak lest
he might do likewise, and Mr.. Motley went
out and let down the steps of the carriage
and made an abortive attempt to whistle.
But notwithstanding his efforts to harden
his feelings, he could not utter a word
when he kissed the bride and shook hands
with his early and long tried friend.
The thought that the one parting was
soon to be followed by another not less
painful, made the little household silent
and sad, and Ann and Mr.. Motley entered
upon the preparations for their departure
with feelings more easily imagined than
described. Mr.. Berne hustled about, dis
playing great activity for one who had
nothing to do, and Helen assisted Ann in
her preparations with quiet composure
remarkable in one whose heart was almost
bursting with intense feeling. But when
the last trunk was packed, and the arrival
of Mr., Lee was looked for every moment
Helen suddenly elapsed Ann in her arms,
kissed her again and again, then hurried
from the room, down the steps, into the
garden.
Scarcely had she disappeared when Mr.
Lee drove up, and the trunks were strap
ped on. When all was in readiness Helen
could not be found, and when Ann ex-
planned what had passed it was UNDER
stood by all as her lcave,taking, and Mr..
Motley insisted, upon SO receiving it, and
advised an immediate departure. Mr. Lee
requested Mr.. Motley to take scat in the
carriage with Ann, and leave his horse for
him, and he would overtake them; and
with this understanding, he went into the
garden, resolved to see Helen once more,
that he might express his gratitude for