Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-09
CHAPTER V.


THE White Sulphur is the most clebra-
ted of all the watering places in the valley
of Virginia; but whether it owes its
celebrity to the superior medicinal pro-
perties Of the water, or to accident, we
shall leave the learned faculty to determine.
And this disposition of the question is the
more proper, inasmuch as that fashionable
resort has no relation to our story farther
than its agency in bringing together the
characters with whom we have to deal
And so crowded was it at the time of Mr..
Bernes arrival, that he could not have
obtained lodgings had he not written to
the landlord, previous to leaving home,
and thus secured q neat cabin with two
rooms ON the same floor. Mr.. Lee, too,
was fortunate enough to get room that
had, that day, been vacated by its first
occupant. In the performance of their
respective duties they were separated until
they met again at the upper-table, where,
to the casual observer, nothing of interest
transpired, though to one, at least, OF our
little party, it was an occasion long to be
remembered.
Just as Helen was about to take seat,
and whilst her father was shaking hands
with an acquaintance, she heard some one
saw. in an under tone,-''there is Helen
Berne, the notorious firt, come here to
play of on any fool whom she may sue
ceed in decciving." The remark escaped
Mr.. Berne, as we'll as Mr.. Lee; but it fell
upon Helen's ear with stunning force
that almost suspended her faculties, and
she rather dropped into, than seated her
self in the chair; and so much was she
disturbed by the circumstance, that she
did not raise her eyes from the table, and
scarcely touched the food which her father
placed upon her plate. Mr.. Lee saw that
something was amiss with her, and seeing
many eyes fixed upon her, ascribed her en-
barrassment to that cause; and to divert
her thoughts from this source Of annoy
ance, addressed to her some common place
remarks to which she replied, without
seeming to comprehend their meaning, and
without looking up. His repeated efforts
having failed, and finding that her agita
ton rather increased than diminished, his
sympathes were aroused, and he resolved
to remove the cause, by Withdrawing her
from the room Accordingly, he said, al
most in whisper:
1t is lovely evening, Miss Berne, and
would you not like to stroll about the
grounds until your father has finished his
supper2"
Without n moments hesitation, she
arose, took his arm and they left the room
followed by many a look of curiosity
This delicate attention to her feelings, and
the promptness with which he hastened to
her relief, operated so powerfully upon her
sensibilitios, that she could, with difficulty,
refrain from tears. lie was aware of her
agitation, but had mistaken the cause, and
was somewhat surprised that she should
evnce so much sensitiveness on such
slight grounds, and in order to relieve
her, remark cd, as they stepped out of
doors:
"IIow delightful it is to leave room
crowded with strangers and resounding
with noise, to enjoy such scene as this
The moon has borrowed light enough from
the sun to make itself formidable rival,
and so brightly does it shine that scarcely
a star is visible.---But what think you,
Miss Berne, of the company we are likely
to keep for some time p
"Indeed, l can't say, Mr., Lee for !
saw SO little of those with whom we sup
ped that they made not the least impress,
aion upon me, There are doubtless many
interesting persons here but, in so large
a crowd, we must expect to meet some who
are dissgreable and others, merely indif-
ferent"
"Those we are at liberty to avoid with
out the imputation Of being rude; though
doubtwhother we shall escape that charge