Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-04-09
Orieinai Nopsllstts.
[Wratsn for the clarksviIls Caroniels.l
IDA HOLMES,
Belle of the Fort.
:. 4-.. BY R. W. THOMAS,
Author o. the "Young Colenel," the "Reffagees,
"Liily Dale" the "Convent Prisoner"
"Jane Mastop," the "Bride OF
an Hour" &c.. &c.
CHAPTER XIX.

TIE return Of Wilmer to the city, in
company with all the members of his
family, created quite sensation. His
deeds on the frontier had become well
known, and were the theme Of every
tongue and these, added to the somewhat
romantic history of his father, mother and
sister, gave to the whole family peculiar
claim upon public interest. They were
domiciled in the family residence in the
city, and the day after their arrival, were
overwhelmed with visitors, each desiring
to be the first TO make the acquaintance Of
family destined to be prominent in the
Crescent city.
Early on the morning of that day, Will
mcr had carried the whole family to see
Ida, whose position in society he had fully
explained beforehand and it is nee Hess
to say that, with such persons, the story
of her wrongs made her, at once, an object
Of the tcndcrcst regard, which soon
ripened into unalterable love. They took
Ida home with them, in spite of her re-
monstrances; and when the stream Of
= visitors began to pour in, she would have
retired 10 avoid unpleasant meetings; but
again she was overruled and having to
yield, nervcd herself for the occasion, and
with quiet dignity met the surprised gaze
Of former friends who were not a little
mortified to find her far more honored
guest than any one Of those who had
sought to blight her character.
Wilmer, aware that his name had been
connected with Idas in all the slanderous
reports of which she was the victim, de-
ported himself towards her in manner
SO gentle and deferential that many began
to doubt the stories they had heard, and
one or tive made covert advances which
were rcpelled with gentle dignity These
had the shrewdness to foresee the position
which the Elmores must take in the social
circle, and perceiving, too, their settled
purpose to sustain Ida, prudence sugges-
ted different treatment towards her; and
they doubted not that the slightest intima-
ton Of such purpose would be eagerly
seized upon by her, and that she would
AZ into their arms aud thank them foI
their condescension. They were not only
greatly disappointed, but sorely puzzled
and Ida's manner so plainly told them she
was the injured party and Winners dc
p0rtmcut so fully sustained the silen
assertion that they began to think it wal
true, and returned home with resolution
to look more closely into their own con
duct aud the charges upon which they haC
acted.
From whatever point the Investigation
begun, the scandal was traced back I,
, Neville and the unknown officer at st
Louis, who had been cited as authority 70
its truth and people began to ask VIII
and what was Neville that his word shoul,
overballance the life Of Ida holmes as sh
had lived in their midst. But no ligh
followed the enquiry. He was strange
alike to all, and not one could point to
circumstance calculated to give weight
the reports he had so adroitly circulated
Wilmer, however, had taken up the en-
quiry in spirit and manner not Likely t
result in defeat. The little he had hear
Of the habits. and department. of NSvill
served as clue by which the mystOr
could be unravelled, and giving minut
instructions to Mike Sloan, that worth
set 10 work with as much zeal as if b
we're the party most deeply interested
the result of his labors.
A little beyond TIE city limits, as the
bounded, was cluster of huts occupie
by fishermen and caterers for the gAm'
market, and somewhat removed from Il
rest, was one Of a neator appearance an
teuaDted by au old woman whose rigi
fcatVres,hStossaed . bad liie and harder