Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-23

nalT, return you, as bOken OF JftendShlp
and shall venture to retain the ring, as
silent monitor-an ever present warming
against the repetition Of acts which hav,
already cost me so dear. With entire
confidence in your discretion, and justice
II do not hesitate to acknowledge how
greatly have erred, and how truly
/ am pentitent; and to this confes
sion, permit me to add that / am sincerel,
your friend, HELEN BERNE." /"
"What think you Of Helen, now, Ned?'
~ think she is honest, and that I have
done her injustice to doubt it. And now
George, 1 shall insist upon your meeting
promptly, her advances towards renewed
Intercourse
81 have not the remotest idea of rejec-
ting them, Ned and to set you at ease, ]
will, with her permission, visit her directly
after breakfast, which is now about ready
$50 let's go"
Mr.. Motley met Helen at the dining.
room, and led her to seat, congratIlating
her upon the renewed strength which en-
abled her to appear in public; and during
the time they remained at the table, en-
gagged her in an animated conversation
which she sustained with perfect ease and
composure that gave rise to many doubts
as to whether her disease was of the mind
or the body. On retiring from the room,
Mr.. Motley said
~ have favor to ask Of you, Helen,
and am sure you will not refuse to grant
it,"
s"If it is reasonable, sir and in my power,
you certainly need not fear refusal; but
you must admit the propriety of my know
ing what it is before l make any promise. +"
Certainly; but it is matter of some
delicacy, and hardly know whether it is
proper to ask you to be party TO scheme
l have in view, upon the success of which
depends the happiness of your cousin
Jane. But before / enter upon that topic,
tell me if you are willing to receive Mr..
Eskridge as friend at your cabin ?"
ait will be agreeable to him." she ans
werd, in some confusion, "it will give me
pleasure to receive him. But he viii rot
desire it, Mr.. Motley, unless he is far
more charitable man than we usually meet
with"
''He is not charitable, but just, Helen,
and is even anxious to show you that past
transactions have not made him blind to
the substantial merits of your character.
With your permission, l will bring him to
your cabin as soon as l see you home. "
"Do just as he will, Mr.. Motley, and you
will not find me indisposed to meet his
advance to friendly intercourse. Now
for your scheme, sirl"
"You know, Helen, that Jane loves Mr..
Eskridge, and if he be permitted to visit
your fathers cabin, he will learn to love
her, and the happiness of both will be
secured. Now if you will satisfy her that
his visits are not to you, nothing more is
required and / 'sk you to do this, be-
cause am not willing that her feelings
shall be wounded by the supposition that
he is renewing suit to you that is de-
fnitely settled"
II hope, Mr.. Motley, you will not do
me the injustice to believe that / would
noso practice any such deception as is i'm
piled in your suggestion. On the contrary,
l am willing, by every fair means, to pro-
mote union which l am satisfied will
make both parties happy.-But what be-
comes of your claim, in that event?"
81 have assigned it over 10 Mr.. Eskridge
that | could make nothing of
it-and have come to the wise conclusion
to live and die a bachelor. My taste is too
conceded and no sooner do l
select young lady from the crowd of
Eve s fair descendants, than some one steps
up and takes her from me; and do be-
lieve if 4 were to pay my addresses to the
veriest hag on earth, some young man,
relying upon the. correctness of my judg-
ment, would marry her forthwith. So |
shall be content, -henceforth, to love the
ladies en- masse, and never again make Sc
lections for the benefit of others"
Not long after this interview, Messrs,
Motley and Eskridge were seated. in Mr..
Berne's room, conversing pleasantly with
its fair inmates.
CHAPTERX
SEVERAL days after the date of the last