Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-09-03

repetition Of the experiment. Troubles
bravely met are half conquered, and no
one ever escaped public censure by keep
ing out of sight, whilst the faults to be
censurcd are still in view, and, with a
majority, bold face is often the best evil
dence of a clear conscience. Helen did
not thus reason, nor did she impute to
herself as grave error, that which she
felt to be a grave misfortune, but for which
her own thoughtless folly had certainly
paved the way.
But whatever the process of reasoning,
her resolution was no less fixed, and after
a few minutes devoted to the toilet, she
accompanied Mr.. Eskridge to the hotel
and entered the dining room with an out
ward composure-a serenity of counten-
ance that completely yelled the suffering
she so firmly bore. The distant bow of
Mr.. Lee was returned without change of
countenance, and the smiling recognition
of Ann Lee and Mrs. Whitman was re-
fected back without any loss of heartfelt
brightness and sincerity. The playful
badinage of Mr.. Motley called forth
sprightly repartee, whilst Henry Lee, the
only one in the secret, looked on with a
cluded brow, wondering whether it was
conscious innocence, or unblushing effron-
terry that enabled Helen to play her part
so well. He was not seated sufficiently
n ear to have entered into conversation
with her, and this fact sufficod to account
for silence which would otherwise have
aroused the suspicion of misunderstood
ing between them; and he was pleased
that it was so, as he had made up his mind
to keep the secret Burton had divulged,
use and every precaution to shield Helen
from the effects of its disclosure upon her
position and comfort whilst she remained
at that place.
Supper being over and the crowd dis
persing, Helen and Mr.. Lee found them
selves, to the embarrassment of both, side
by side. She would have avoided him,
even then, had escape been possible with
out rudely pressing through the throng
and he would have been relieved had she
escaped but thus thrown together, each
felt the necessity of avoiding any demon
stration that might attract special atten,
ton, so he offered his arm, and she took
it. Thus they passed out into the portico
and out upon the lawn; and Jane and
Mr.. Eskridge, seeing them together, walked
on to the cabin, taking no further notice
of Helen who was under the care of hel
accustomed escort. AS soon, however, a:
they were clear of the crowd, Helen with
drew her arm from Mr.. Lees, saying
"Let me trespass no longer upon your
time, sir; can overtake my companions
in moment"
"Why do you wish to dispense with my
company, this EVENING"" He asked.
81 wish it, sir, because know it is no
from choice that you have attended mt
: thus fan"
"Then | must infer" he remarked, 'tha
you are aware of the strange disclosur,
made to me, less than an hour ago"
81 guessed it at the time it was made
and your countenance, at supper, con
frmed it."
"And since / am in possession of tn
fact that you are married woman,
presume you intend to give me hint tha
the attentions of a single man are not al
together proper. But you should hav
thought of this sooner, if not for you
own sake, at least for mine"
"The unkindness of your tone and man
ner, Mr.. Lee" Helen replied, in a voic
low, but distinct "shall arouse no kindre
feeling in me- If am married woman
l learned the fact not more than fiv
minutes earlier than you did; and instea
of lacerating heart that already bleed:
j your anger should be directed against tn
wretch whose villainy made me a viii
without my knowledge or consent"
> 81 heave read, in romances," he sale
: "of such things but never before, in res
: life, have l heard of an occurrence
= strange. But you mistake me if you SUI
! pose have any intention to wound you
i feelings, l owe you a debt of gratitud
c which l shall never repudiate and it is
J tender regard for your feelings that,
1 this moment, shapes my movements
What has passed between us heretofor
k is, of course, annulled by your own al
o tecedent act, and as my attentions can L
1t longer be continued, and not wishing th
70 either of us shall become the subject
d inyidious remark / have concluded