Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-09-17

wishes of her parents, and against the
advice of her nearest relations, all inter
course between her and them ceased and
she removed to distance, and was lost
sight of and almost forgotten. But do
you know, that this is the likeness of the
woman of whom we are speaking?p
"Had you not better go and see, Ann?
| She is widow now, and may soon be
childlcss, and as Helen will leave here in
the morning, the poor woman will be
friendless unless you will be her friend
i IF she committed an error in marrying
badly, it was an error for which size has
paid the penalty, and forgiveness is now
due as an act of justice"
eyes, I will go at once, Edward, and
she shall have all the assistance it is in
my power to give. The poor creature has
indeed, paid the penalty of her error, and
as she has never offended me, I have
nothing to forgive We never saw much
of each other, as have spent most of my
Viihc III VIC DOuIu, DuJ JHc HIJle nave
seen of her impressed me favorably, and
were it otherwise, her present condition
appeals too strongly to every generous
sentiment to suffer the indulgence of an
unkind thought"
"That was nobly said my dear Ann,
and | am proud to see you rise superior
to the selfish considerations that sway the
feelings and shape the conduct of so many
who call themselves christians. To the
proud possessor of thousands, a poor and
unfortunate relation is too often the source
of shame or annoyance, and their wound
ed vanity dictates neglect or hate towards
: those having the strongest claims upon
their sympathy. Yes, go at once to your
cousin and let her see and feel that pros
pcrity has not stifed the better feelings
of your heart--it will comfort her, and
enoble yourself"
She smiled at his earnestness, but
glow of satisfaction was visible on her
countenance, as she looked upon his honest
face and read, in its expression, the genuine
emotions of an honest heart. Still they
separated, weight resting upon the mind
of each--a vague, underlined feeling of
dissatisfaction, unacknowledged, yet ever
present Mr.. Motley had hoped that his
explanation would have elected a confes-
sion of injustice to Helen, and overtures
for a reconciliation and when Ann de-
parted without word in reference to her,
not even an expression of countenance
that could be construed into pleasure at a
vindication which he thought ought to be
satisfactory, he felt deeply mortified, and
silently vowed that Ann should fully come
> up to his preconceived opinion of her
character, or never be his wife.
She, on the other hand, had not received,
with implicit faith, the story of Burton
: and her cousin, and entertained a sus-
picion that Mr.. Motley had been deceived
by Helen. 1t never occurred to her how
> improbable it was that Helen would at
tempta fraud so easily exposed, or how
Impossible it was to impose such story
upon Mr.. Motley with his ample means of
disproving it. But blinded by prejudice,
: she feebly clung to first convictions, and
resolved to verify the statement by means
of her own researches, before she would
assent to its truth and even then, she
J thought, enough remained to Helen's pre-
judice to justify the cruel insult-as Mr..
a Motley had termed her conduct
% In addition to this, Ann was, perhaps
" unconsciously, influenced in her determine.
p" ton to hold out against the convictions
: that should have followed such proof, by
. another motive. Mr.. Motley, in his
- carnestness, had not chosen his words
with an eye to softness of sound, or merg.
" ed the manner of an honest advocate into
- that of the obsequious lover, and these
y conspired to arouse in her some of thai
- spirit of obstinacy inherited from the frs
of her sex who forfeited Paradise by the
maintenance of woman's rights. We will
not do her the injustice to say that in this
she wilfully sinncd. On the contrary, she
was conscious of no such motive, and pro
g cecded to investigate the subject that en-
/ crossed her thoughts, under the firm be
n lief that she was actuated by no improper
feeling.
CHAPTER XXVI.