Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-10-29

1
tached to chain. Gave the chain little
pull, but it resisted my efforts. Saw one
end Of it was tangled in the ivy. Pushed
!, the leaves apart to find it. Jupiter, Joyi
Jovis, Jovum Istarted back in surprise
had found the other end of the chain,
indeed, but my hand came in contact with
a white, warm neck inside of it. Crushed
down among the trailing festoons of ivy,
her daintily slippered feet just peeping
from the folds of her muslin dress, and
one round, white arm beneath her head,
with billow Of glowing ringlets flowing
over it, like sunlight across ivory, lay Nan
ME Gray fast asleep Her gipsey hat was
beside her, running over with blossoms
Dear Mamie Such picture of uncon-
sciousness loveliness and girlish innocence
as she madel Who could have helped
loving her as / did7
wondered if she was still angry with
me, and wonder begat a sudden thought,
a desperate resolve. would try her. l
went back where my rife was standing,
raised it deliberately, and fired--don't be
alarmed, reader-into the air | then stag
gered, groaned, and fell. A FIRST class
tragedian couldn't have acted his part
more thoroughly. The report, the groan,
the fall, had their intended effect. Heavens
what spring Mamie gave / had flung
myself down on my left side, with one
arm thrown up so as partially to conceal
my face. But my fingers were arranged
to accommodate my eyes; of course l
peeped through them.
saw Mamie stand for a moment in a
perplexed attitude, drawing her hand
across her eyes, as if to assure herself she
was not asleep. Then her glance fell
where was lying. A quick pallor spread
over her features, and with faint cry of
alarm, she leaped forward and knelt be-
side me.
"Howard-Howard What is the mat
ter? ? are you injured2 how did it happen
who has shot you2" were her terrified
words.
gave another groan, more heart rend-
lug than the first.
"Howard, dear, dear, Howard, speak to
mel What is the matter
The words came thick and broken, as if
fear choked her utterance. 1 opened my
eyes half way, rolled them wildly in my
head, writhed, as though suffering the
most acute pain, and groaned third time.
She sprang up with suddenness that
startled me; ran for her gipsey hat, emp
ted it of its flowers, darted toward the
brook, scooped it full of water, and was
back again, the cool moisture dripping
over her hat-brim and through the coarse
braid upon her frock, before comprehend
ed her movement. Then she knelt and
dipping her soft hand in the water, bathed
my forehead and temples.
Howard I" she called again. "How-
ard in mercy's name, speak to mer'
But didn't speak--not 1. With that
soft, COOL caressing hand futtering so
doliciously across my face, how could I,
What man could have been unselfish
enough to put an end to a deception that
brought such charming results2 She
paused at last, as if her task were hope
less one, and drew my head up tsnderly
upon her shoulder shoulder plump and
dimpled as a babes. She wound her
slender arms about my neck, laid hel
velvet cheek upon mine, pressed her dewy
lips over and over again to my forehead
All, Mamie, your coquetry was all gone
then. 1 read your heart that moment
proudly, exultingly, yet withal tenderly
and reverently, You loved me.
ooh, he will die--he will die He will
never speak to me again-nsver forgive
me for getting SO angry--never tell m'
again that he loves me Howard, How
ard, darling my love, my life In pitt
speak to me. Look up. Forgive me, kisl
me, love me Oh, this is dreadful--dread
ful-dreadfwl"
Lying there, half supported in the sof
} clasp of her tremulous arms, with he
: silken curls ripping like cloud of ambe
mist about my foreheap--her lips to min
her balmy breath drifting across m.
cheek, could have wished the deception
carried on forever. But the quick heavinI
of her bosom, the burst of passionat
sobs, the falling of hot tears, told me hoy
deeply and truly she had suffered. wa
f melted to repentance in an instant, an
r opening my eyes glanced up full in he
face.
. "Do you then love me so very much
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