Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-26


this answer, and was evidently at loss
what to say But suspicion had taken too
firm hold upon his mind to be shaken
of at will, and under its dictation he con-
tinued
"When and whore was your token of
gratitude delivered, that knowledge Of
the fact so soon got abroad"
Immediately after your last interview,
before the sentence of the Court, we met
in the entry-and,intentionally, on my part,
and then and there / gave him the ring
mo one being present; if he wore II be-
fore leaving the fort, Bell Brown may
have recognized it"
"Do you think thisis her handwriting"
He asked. ..... ...
"No, sir; am sure it is not, and though
disguised, it is not unlike that of Capt.
Fritz"
"Capt. FRITZ" He exclaimed. "And
how could he have learned the fact"
"Not from me, nor from Mr.. Wilmer, if
you recollect the relation in which they
stood towards each other"
The General again seemed embarrassed,
and after pause of some moments, said;
"I am perplexed-puzzled and know not
what to think. Atany rate, will press
the subject no further tonight, and, per-
haps, with time for delit Grafton, my
course may seem clearer before me"
''And whilst you are celebrating, faith
err" she said, as he was about to retire,
"let me hope that you will consider the
means Of sending me back to the city My
stay here, has been too greatly prolonged,
and it were better that it end at once"
every wellr' Was all he said, as he
bowed and withdrew, muttering to him
self-"Tis very strangel Whilst Wilmer
was here, she had no desire to leave now
that he is gone, she is all anxiety to get
back to the city lie has gone there, of
course, and perhaps they understand each
other. But they cannot over-reach me by
that sort of game Her cousin Edward
Holmes will be here -morrow-he loves
her, and she used to love him-that is the
idea; she may return to the city, but it
must be as his wife, and then shall have
no more anxiety about her. "
As soon as her father retired, Ida dash.
ed the unbidden tear from her eyes, and
despatched messenger for Bell Brown
who came with misgivings as to the object
of the invitation. Conscience convicted
her of having dealt unfairly with Ida, ant
this conviction was written on her count
enance when she entered the room.
"Read this note, Bell" said Ida, ia
tone of sadness; "and tell me if you know
anything about the author, or its contents.
Capt. Fritz was no longer at hand t,
feed the flame Of jealousy he had kindlet
in the heart of Bell Brown, and unsup
ported by his ministcring spirit of evil
she felt her inability to maintain the war
fare she had been waging, with his assis
tance, and her timid disposition quaile,
before the gentle frmness Of her, hithert {
conGding friend. Her first impulse, theu
was to deny everything, and, remember
ing that Fritz was no longer present t
contradict, that first impulse prevailed
.
and she said, on returning the note:
"This is ali news to me, Ida and un
less Capt. Fritz wrote the note, l don
=, know who did
81 thought it possible, Bell" was tn
reply, "that you might have seen the rim
! / gave Mr.. Wilmer and, with no evil in
tcntion, might have mentioned it to tn
Captain for he is the author Of the not
But | must believe your statement thoug
your conduct, for some days past, almo'
= led me to believe that you were in leagu
with him against me,--Nay, do not answC
I until have finished, Remember YOU
. interview with Capt Fritz, on the spC
y where | insulted him remember his az
vice to you to watch my conduct to you
. sefand to Maj Dade; remember the charg
u of treason which be brought against NJ
C Wilmer, whom Capt. Fritz hates, and yc
{ will admit than had cause to suspect yc
3 of knowing who wrote this note, even
you did not communicate the only fact
u contains.
'' "Wcl, Ida, ii Capt, Fritz chose to ia
% to me, couldn't help it; and told hin
Is at the time that he was influenced by pr
~ udice, or he wouldn't accuse you of d
y plicity
ID II know all that he said Bell; and VIII
t you said in reply; and had you told me
or it, as Il friend would have done, all wou