Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-12

the night in the fort; and when his retreat
ing form was no longer in view, Whine
retraced his steps, pondering deeply upor
the strange interview, and the results I,
which it might probably lead, On reach
ling the Generals quarters, he concluded
to report, at once, what be had heard o
Tatunkah's designs but, on knocking fol
admittancc, was informed that Genera
Holmes would see no one that night; so h,
passed on to his own lodgings.
Simultaneously with the interview, just
reported, another had taken place between
Ida and her father, and this fact may ex-
plain the reason why the latter refused to
see Wilmer. Scarcely had the handsome
Lieutenant retired from Ida's room, as
already mentioned, when her father enter
ed, and abruptly remarked.
"You have had visitor, this evening"
''Yes, Sir; was the reply; "Mr. Wilmer
has been with me-" s-gH ,fg
'sDoes he visit you oftenP" "a
"This is the second time, Sir" ss5
"And must be the lastl' n, = s,e.a
"Why, what mean you, fatheri Why
this angry tone2" F4oX sIlrosiss-.,
II speak more in sorrow than Anger, "
he replied; and fear you have deceived me
in regard to the state of your affections
there is clandestine air about these visits
that savors of more than mere courtecy.''
"Fathcr,' she said, flush peryading
her whole face; ''the word, "clahdestine," :"
conveys an imputation Of gross impropri-
ETY., if not dishonor; and against such a
charge, even from you, have no defence
to make" -..-, ~. --,t .,5. s...,.
She met his eye with look so firm, yet
respectful, that he felt he ,was in the
wrong, and hastened to say: sfr- ..5s
81 did not intend, my child, to give to
the word so harsh meaning as you have
put upon upon it. can never believe
you capable of gross improperly, much
less of dishonorable conduct, But the
young man certainly seems to have sought
your company when I was out of the way,
and such course may we'll arouse suspi-
cion, as to him." ,7F .,,.-..,osf 3, -,I
81 can not agree, father, that you shall
wrong him, any more than me. He has
visited me twice, as before stated, but
both times, by invitation" q G.t,..
"And do you think, Ida, that you know
enough of him, or his family, to authorise
such step?"
81 certainly believe him to be man Of
honor, father; but Of his family, 1 know
nothing" aragrgF
"Neither does he." Said the General,
with sneer. "He bears the name of his
benefactor, who reared and educated him,
with that condition, and another now holds
the property left by Winners father, be-
cause he could not legally inheritit. Such
being the case, you should not wonder my
child, that 1 am displeased at his visits to
you, or that should be deeply grieved at
the thought that you might feel for him a
tenderer regard than mere friendship"
"His is, indeed, sir, grave misfortune;
but it should not be allowed to detract
from his individual merits. Even, howev-
er, were he not thus unfortunate, my heart
could never bestow its affections upon him.
in the face of the fact that he loves an
other" - b4- rr4.- sFt 3r vf..1
"Then / have wronged you both, my
dear Ida. Still, after what has been said
of his unfortunate condition, l hope you
will not again invite him to see you"
Certainly not sir; and l have only
done so, that might make enquiries about
mutual acquaintances in New Orleans,
whom he saw during his late visit TO the
city" r.l .bgs..8ss b 81 saf
Thus ended an interview which left a
cloud upon the Generals brow, despite his
efforts to feel perfectly satisfedj and Ida
felt a pressure about the heart, that
amounted almost to pain. With her faith
er, Wilmer had never been favorite,
though his own sense Of justice and hon
or constrained him TO acknowledge that
his prejudice was based solely upon the
misfortune already mentioned This was
weakness, of which he was ashamed, yet
could not entirely conquer. Aud when
he found the young man on visiting
terms with his daughter, and remembered
the care with which she qualified her dec
larations, in previous conversation, a
feeling of distrust oppressed him, and In
creased his dislike for the young Lieuten-
ant.
Ida, too, was dissatisfied with herself.
With No infantion IN deciave her fathar