Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-09-03
CHAPTER XXI.

Helen saw Mr., Lee approach, and, not
wishing to meet him with so many evil
dences of agitation and distress as she
bore upon her face, withdrew from the
window and answered not his knock at the
door. She then, with painful anxiety saw
him 90 towards the spot where she had
left Burton, and saw him, too, hurry away
from that spot, his very step betraSing in
tense excitement He passed, without a
look towards the cabin, and her heart told
her that he knew all, and that the cord
was severed which had bound them together
in mutual affection. A stranger, to have
looked upon her pale face, at that moment,
would have thought her as calm and pas
sionless as marble statue, and except for
the light in her eye, almost as lifeless; but
as a volcano may boil and hoave under
surface Of snow, so mental agony is some
times too intense for outward expression
Not tear came to her relief, and not
muscle of her face moved and had she
been required to explain the character of
her emotions, she would have been at
loss to say whether she felt most like cry
ing or laughing.
As she thus sat in the deepening twi-
light, living monument of folly and its
retribution, Jane Estelle bounded into the
room, and, throwing her arms around her
neck. exclaimed
"Dear Helen, am SO happyp
There was something in the joyous tone
of this exclamation--in the warm and
heartfelt embrace, as well as in the associa-
tions they evoked, that melted the ice
around Helen's heart and she wept--each
tear, as il welled up, restoring to her
benumbed faculties their natural tone.-
Jane, astonished at this unexpected burst
of grief gazed, in silence, upon the dimly
seen face of her cousin, as ignorant of the
cause as at loss for words of consola-
ton.
"What in the world is the matter, my
dear cousin?" She at length asked, in a
tone that proved she was on the eve of
mingling her tears with Helen's.
"Nevor mind, Jane, what is the matter
with me-" Helen answered, as she made
successful effort at composure; "but tell
me what has made you so happy, and then
will answer your question"
"But, Helen, can l be so selfish as to
tell about my happiness at time when
you are overwhelmed in sorrow?"
"The struggle is over, Jane, and / long
to hear something more cheering than my
own gloomy thoughts. And if you would
consult my comfort, forget me for awhile
that / may subdue this nervous excite.
ment, and prepare myself for calm an.
swer to your qucstion.-What has made
you so haPpy?"
"Mr. Eskridge-cant you guess IIelenY
She asked, with blushing checks and
palpitating heart,
eyes, dear Jane, it is easy to guess
what | have so long foreseen. He has
offered you his hand, and you have ac
copted it. congratulate you, mos
sincerely, upon your bright prospects, anC
predict for you life of hoppiness-th'
meet reward of life of virtue. AnC
when is it to be, Jane2"
"That depends upon yourself, Helen
told GcOrge-Mr, Eskridge, l mean
that as you and belonged to one house
hold preferred that we should both stan,
before the hymenial alter on the sam
day"
"Wait not for me, Jane ~ Said Helen
in voice tremulous with emotion. "Mr
Eskridge's wishes should alone be consult
ed, and it would be cruel to make the con
summation of his happiness dependan
upon contingency so remote-nay
you wait for me to become a bride on tn
same day that is to make you one, it ma
amount to an indefinite postponement-
am a wife already"
Jane sprang to her feet, under the shoe
of this startling announcement; but befor
she could speak, Mr.. Eskridge knocked {
the door, and asked if the ladies wer
ready for supper.-"Go, Janer Sal
Helen Excuse me TO Mr. Eskridg
and when you return, 1 shall be prepare
TO satisfy your curiosity"
Jane stepped to the door and excuse
both herself and Helen; but the latte
hearing the apology, called to Mr.. Eskridg
to wait moment, and both would accon
pany him, This resolution was the resu
Of sudden conviction that il would |
wiser 10 go forward and firmly meet IL
,.,,.t tA,t ,a;vbt hogIl bar t1,on sn,.;