Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-27
CHAPTER Xxx.

The reader who has accompanied us
thus far, in our simple narrative of life in
cidents, may we'll ask if there is to be no
end to the story. AS there must be an
end to everything that has beginning, SO
there is point at which this narrative
must terminate. But there is no use in
hurrying, and were the reader seated-as
we now are-within twenty feet of the
Vermilion Spring, the morning dew drop
ping from the leaves of the surrounding
forest; the birds singing the brook mur-
muring along its pebbly bed everything
inviting calm contemplation of the beau
ty and harmony of nature, he would be in
no hurry to turn from such a scene-to
interrupt such thoughts-that he might
resume the unwelcome task of recording
the deeds of the wicked and the indiscre-
tions of the weak. But our task is not
wholly repulsive in every life picture,
virtue has its representatives. And as, in
painting storm, there must be light to
disclose its horrors, so in depicting the
blacker traits of human character, their
opposites are ever at hand TO strengthen
the contrast--to make vice moro repulsive
and virtue more fascinating. But to re-
turn et4
Helen was seated within her favorite
enclosure of shrubbery, in deep thought,
The last rays of the sun were visible upon
the summit of the mountain, and her
friends, whom she declined to accompany,
were enjoying the luxury ola ride at that
delightful hour of the parting day. Helen
was alone, and her thoughts were upon
the past, the present and the future--ana-
lying the bearings of che first upon the
second, and the probable effect Of both
upon the last, when she was aroused by
the approach of man, and she sprang to
her feet, startled by the unexpected visit
of one whom she did not recognize. The
once handsome face of her visitor was
bloated, and its expression distorted by
the habitual indulgence of the baser pas
sions. He fixed his gaze upon Helen's
varying countenance, and change passed
over his own, but its chasacter was scarce
ly visible upon visage marked by so
many strong emotions, and SO few of them
bearing the stamp of virtue.
II presume he said at length, "that
am forgotten by Miss Berne."
aft ever knew you sir, you are certain
ly forgotten" she replied, evidently un-
easy in his presence, yet not knowing
why. SEES t.b
"No | am not forgotten" he answered,
at is only that you do not recognize
the wreck of my former self When you
falsely promised to become the wife of
Tom Burton, he had health, prospective
wealth, education, and an unblemished
character. BY your arts, he has lost all
these, and now stands before you living
exempliication Of woman's influence when
exerted only to destroy"
Helen started at the announcement of
his name, and her heart propelled its Grim
son tide over her face; but the tide soon
receded and left her pale and motionless
before him who thus boldly accused her
of being the sole cause of his ruin. Her
own conscience did not hold her guitless,
and in the dizzy whirl of emotions SO sud
denly called forth, she lost her presence
of mind, and stood silent and confounded.
II am pleased to see, Burton remarked
"that your career Of heartless duplicity
has not so completely hardened your con
science as to leave it insensible to shame"
"Sir," said Helen, her eyes flashing and
her form erect, "your last remark has
convinced me that your accusation is a
pitiful subterfuge, and that the ruin Of
health and character imputed to me, is the
work of your own innate depravity. And
he deserves not the name of man whose
feeble will is crushed by disappointment
in love, and whose ignoble impulses can
lead him, their unresisting slave, into dis
sipation, and consequent vice and degra-
dation, have wronged you, sir, and will
not deny IL; neither will deny that l
deeply regret it; but nature fashioned
you for drunkard and gambler, and evil
communications fastened your fall. This
you know to be true, sir, and can not ex-
pect me tamely to bear the imputation of
having done that which is the work Of
heart prone to evil, and influenced by vi
ciOus associations. / presume, sir, that
the object Of your visit is accomplished,