Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-16

what ne remembers about 1t, and let mt
know as soon as you can. Ihave one 9th
er request to make and will trouble you
no further, tonight Find out, if you
bean, whether Jane is here and where she
lodges, and report to me early in the morn
ing. Will you do it?Y sa bss
"With pleasure, sir; aud anything else
in my power, to serve you, or your inter
esting niece" ss Ff
eThank you, Mr.. Motley r Said the
warm.hearted old gentleman, as he shook
him by the hand, and bade him good night
Mr.. Motley returned to the ball room,
and finding that his friend had obtained a
partner, concluded to leave him to his en-
,,joyment, and proceed in search Of the in
formation he had promised to obtain. On
looking around him, he could see no one
to whom he could venture to address an
enquiry, so he determined to 60 to the bar
room and learn, from an examination of
the register, whether Miss Estelle had ar
rived Fortune seemed to favor his efforts
for on entering the sitting room, he saw,
reclincing upon the sofa, lady in black,
and, by the light of the lamps, was enabled
to recognize the features Of Jane Estelle.
But, how altered, in few months Her
sable garb-the badge OF her orphanage--
corresponded but too well with the melan-
cholly expression of her wan and care
worn countenance. Her beautiful auburn
ringlets had escaped from their fastenings
and hung like grapes, in clusters around
her neck aud shoulders, and her whole
manner bespoke an indifference to the
things of this life, which had its origin in
blighted hope, and the absence of those
delicate and endearing attentions without
which the guardians roof can never be
the orphan girls home ~
Mr.. Motley gazed, for awhile, upon the
beautiful wreck before him, as memory re-
called the winning smile, the unaffected
gaiety and constant good humor which
rendered her the charm of every circle
and the idol Of his own heart, Every
scene in which they had been joint actors,
passed in rapid review before his mental
vision, and his kindly feelings were soft
ened, almost to tears, as he marked the
contrast with her former SELF Although
he approached her with noiscless tread,
for it seemed as if the slightest shock
would divorce body and soul forever, she
was soon aware of the approach of some
one, and, looking up, the color returned,
for moment, to her pale checks, and a
smile of mingled pleasure and surprise
played around her mouth, as she assumed
more erect posture, and extended her
hand towards him, without saying word,
He pressed it gently, and, with affection
ate solicitude, expressed his regret at see-
ing her in such bad health. "But bad as
it is, he said, in conclusion, "I hope you
can give me the happy assurance that it is
improving"
t"I really do not know, Mr.. Motley,
whether my health is improving or not /;
but think l have gained little strength,
since left home"
Cheerful company, and moderate exer-
else will soon restore you;" he replied,
"and the cure will be hastened by minis
tering hands and the ready sympathy of
kind friends.
"Kind friends" she repeated, thought
fully, "they cannot be found in the midst
of strangers You can not conceive, Mr.
Motley, how desolate have felt for some
hours yours is the first face have recog
nized here, and you know not how much l
am relieved by the knowledge that have
found one friend
eyes, you have found one friend, Jane,
-one who will make any sacrifice to pro-
mote your comfort and happiness and |
am happy to add that you have other
friends of whose presence you seem una
ware"
"Then l am far more fortunate than
had dared to hope-but tell me their
names, if you please"
"They are soon told. Your uncle
Berne, Helen and -"
as my uncle here2" she eagerly asked,
without waiting to hear more "He is the
best friend have on carth-he has been
a father to me- and shall ever love him
as a daughter. Helen" she continued,
"was once like sister to me, but for some
cause, or other, she learned to dislike me,
and know not on what terms we shall
meet. But you were going on to name
others, when interrupted you
"But one other--Mr Eskridge."
At the mention Of this name, James
eyes were fixed upon the floor, and burn
ing but transient blush suffused her cheeks.