Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-30
nnAPTER XI.

- CHAPTER XI.
AFTER her meeting with Mr. Lee, as
mentioned in the last chapter, Helen lost
all hope of being properly understood by
him and although pride and conscious
discharge of duty came to her aid, the dis
appointment was deeply felt. True, his
silence had somewhat prepared her for it,
but the realization of what had seemed
only possible contingency was severe
shock, and she was enabled TO bear up
under it only by the effort, of strong will,
sustained by proud spirit. The struggle
was marked by no outward demonstration,
vet the fear of self f-betrayal prompted her
to seize the first opportunity to withdraw
from, her companions to hold communion
with her own heart in that solitude which
had become as agreeable as it had once
been irksome.
Instead Of retiring to her own room, she
repaired to cluster of small trees in
terspersed with shrubery, where she had
cnioyed some delightful hours with Mr..
Lee, seated herself upon bench, reclined
her head upon its back and gave a free
rein to her troubled thoughts
Nor were the feelings of Mr.. Lee much
more agreeable. Apart from his bitter
disappointment, conscience whispered that
in Justice to Helen, he ought not to have
received the reports of others as conclusive
against her until he had given her an op-
portunity to explain. There might be
exareration if not baseless SANDER, and
vet he had Intentionally wounded her feel
ings by pointed sarcasm, and he felt
self.convicted of injustice and wanton
cruelty to woman. TO repair the wrong
he determined, at the earliest moment to
give her an opportunity to explain In the
meantime, he set off on a solitary ramble
and, by the force Of sympathy, perhaps,
he was led to the very spot which Helen
had chosen as the scene of her meditations,
Looking upon the ground, as he slowly
advanced, he was not aware OF the previous
occupation of the retreat he sought, until
he had approached so near as to render
retrogradc movement impracticable with
out discovery. Great was his surprise, on
looking up, at finding himself in the i'm
mediate presence of lady, and she no
other than Helen, who, he thought, was
-
still with her friends in the parlor of the
hotel.
Attracted by the sound of approaching
footsteps, Helen raised her eyes just in
time to meet those of Mr.. Lee, Both
were disconnected by the unexpected meet
ing, brought about by desire, on the part
of each, to be private that they might in
dulne, uudisturbcd, their own reflections.
Wishing to conceal her feelings and to
avoid an interview for which she was, by
no means prepared Helen resolved upon
hasty retreat which she could not effect
however, without passing Immediately by
Mr.. Lee who stood in the entrance to the
enclosure of shrubbery.
Miss Bcrner he said, so placing him
self as to arrest her progress, "permit me
to apologize for this intrusion which, !
assure you, was undcsigned, and to express
the hope that you will not believe mt
capable of such rudoness as to thrust my
self into your company when you evident
ly desire to be alone,
II acquit you, sir, of any such rude
ness !" she repled "and ask no othe
atonemont for your accidental trespas
than permission to retire
al have no right to detoin you, Mis-
Berne, but if you can spare me few mo
mcnts from other engagements, woulC
like to say a word or two upon a subiec
of interest to yourself
He paused for roplyi but as she con
hnucd silent and embarrassed, he resum
ed
Il have no intention of recurring to tn
subject of our last interview, since | an
persuaded it would be disagreable to you
But, as a friend, I feel it my duty to ap
prize you that, on the evening of our las
meeting, accdenNy overheard dialoGu
of which you were the topic, and it
needless to assure you that the remark
then made were not of the most compl
mentary character
IL am much obliged to you, sir, for tn
Information you have given me, and for III
interest You seem to take in whatever cor
Germs myself; but | must beg that yo
will give yourself no solicituds about wha
has been, or may hereafterbe, said Of m