Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-10-01


dog dragging his block and chain through
the hall, and have no doubt it was your
heel-taps that prompted the dream"
"But, doctor, am sure you will have
the charity to answer one question, and
then your rest shall not be disturbed again
tonight, at least by me-
A sound somewhat resembling a snort
admonished Mr. Lee that his question need
not be put; so reclining upon the sofa, he
gave himself up to meditation, and, con-
trary to his calculations, sleep, by stealthy
approaches, mastered his faculties, and he
followed the doctors example in all, save
the nasal chorus which, however soothing
it may be to the sleeper, is an abomina.
ton to the wide-awake.
Helen, whose steady nerve DR.. Waddill
had SO highly complimented, did not, all
unmoved, meet Mr.. Lee. She was not
aware that her father had written to him
to come on if he wished to see his sister
again, and not knowing this fact, his COM
ing had taken her entirely by surprise
And though she admirably maintained her
self-control, whilst in his presence, it gave
way when she was left alone, and fit Of
weeping followed, which proved to be a
relief-giving vent to the long pent-up
feelings that had been struggling for ut
terance through the exI ressiye medium of
tears. Regaining her composure, she
FASTENED to remove the external marks of
mental suffering, ere returning to her seat
by the bedside, and was surprised on con-
sulting her watch, to find how much time
she had spent in the indulgence of her
feelings, and was not less surprised at find
ing Ann Lee awake. A glance suficed to
satisfy her that all was right, and she
hastened to fortify the vital forces by ad-
ministering the food she had so carefully
prepared. Like an infant, Ann received
what was given, and though her eyes fol-
lowed Helen with puzzled expression,
she uttered not word, until her nurse
having done all that was needful- resumed
her seat-then she asked, in quite firm
voice. e,-"Where am I?'
s"Listen, Ann" said Helen, "and you
shall hear all you wish to know, so that
you need not ask any questions, and when
| have done, you must so to sleep again. !"
She then told how she had found her in
Waynesborough; the promise she had
made to take care of her how she had
brought her home, and how, for two weeks,
she had been lying, all unconscious, at the
point of death.-She told her all. in fact,
except the trials she had endured, as al
most her sole attendant during that trying
period. The music of Helen's voice, and
the fascination of her manner and express
sion during the recital, aroused all the
better feelings of AIMS nature, and, with
difficulty extending her feeble arms, she
whispered-"Forgive me, dear Helen~ p
The kiss of reconciliation, their mingled
tears-the hearts libation on the altar of
regenerated love and confdence-inter-
preted their mutual feelings without the
aid of language. But even in this moment,
so full of happiness, Helen did not forget
her duty as a nurse; aud instead of en-
couraging any further conversation, she
enjoined perfect silence and continued to
caress the brow and cheeks of the invalid
until sleep once more closed her eyes,
! The excitement which had enabled Helen
to bear up under long continued watchful-
ness, had yielded to gentler emotions, and
with the change came, a feeling of lassitude
and relaxation which she had not the
power to resist; and as she had reclmed
her cheek upon the pillow that supported
AIMS head whilst in the act of soothing
the latter, so she fell asleep, her silken
tresses covering her face as with veil,
and her right hand resting upon the fore
head Of her friend.
The first light of day was paling the
feebler glow of the lamp, when Mr.. Lee
was awakened, rather by the bent position
of his neck than the satisfied demands of
nature, and some moments elapsed before
he could recolect where he was. Having
recovered his self-possession, and seeing
that Dr. Waddill was still sound asleep,
he concluded to step lightly upstairs and
learn from Helen how his sister was, The
door ofthe sick-room was open, and from the
head Of the steps, he could see portion
Of its tasteful furnishings, but not sound
was heard within and feeling delicacy
in advancing further, he made a slight
noise, not sufficient to arouse one from
sleep, though loud enough TO have attract.