Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-04-02

drawn from his embrace and seated herse
upon the sofa, where she was striving I
regain her eomposure. 50 long did sh
tremain silent, that he again urged tn
Question, when she looked up with an ex
preston Of pain, and answered Charles
| can not accept your offer" - rs 9
Ida buried her face in her hands, an,
Wilmer, stunned by the blow given to hi
hopes, paced the floor with an unedua
tread, for some time, then resting his heat
against the facing of the window, remain
ed motionless and silent. Ida was tn,
FIRST to regain self-control, aud seeing how
deeply Wilmer suffered, arose and laid hel
hand upon his arm, saying, as their eye,
met, and in voice low, but frmg =
Charles, from the manner of our part.
ing, ON the prarie, you must have inferred
that the love you have ayowed for me, was
fully reciprocated; and, believe me, you
were not mistaken. My heart then dis
closed secret which my lips dared not
utter; and as l loved you then, 1 love you
now. But would you have me to be less
generous and self.sacrafcing than your
self? You were silent because detraction
was busy with the legitimacy of your birth,
and l refuse the offer l have SO ardently
coveted, because malice has cast suspicion
upon my character -.
"Your honest confession, dearest Ida !"
ne said, pressing her hand to his lips,
"lifts me from the depths of despair to
the very summit of happiness, and /
entreat you to reverse your decision. Give
me the right to protect you, and no
slanderous tongue shall, with impunity,
speak your name" -
"Of your Willingness to protect me,
dear Charles, have had proofs, for which
l can never be sufficiently grateful but
of year ability to do SO against the willy arts
of detraction, l have serious doubts, and
until my reputation is freed from all sus-
pieion, of the imprudence charged against
me, / should be a base migrate to exchange
my name for yours" i7'gt sf z
The motives which actuate you," he
replied, 'serve to enhance the high opinion
l entertain of your noble and generous
nature; but remember, dear Ida, 1 have
caused all the pain you have suffered at
the hands Of envy and malice, and whose
duty is it, if not mine, to comfort and
sustain your" lI Yaisit aii
"Do not urge me, dear Charles, to de-
base myself by wronging you. You know
that my heart is wholly yours, and so
shall my hand be when justice shall have
triumphed over malice. Will you not be
content to await the ISSUE p =,
"Not content, Ida; but, in obedience to
your wish, / will aviator rather hasten
the hour when | may claim the fulfllment
of your promise" e'
81 thank you" she replied, "for your
appreciation of my motives, and ready
compliance with my request. But, Charles,
"she added with an arch smile, chow can
] put faith in your professions of love for
me, when you have been faithless to the
lady whose portrait you entrusted to my
care 2' 9tF ss Zee. 10
"You must not be jealous Of my sister,
Ida, whose name has misled you. / see
you are surprised SO sit down by me, and
I will tell you all about myself and family
1 rescued my mother and sister from the
Indians, and found my father who has
been lost to his family for more than
twenty years. Will you hear the story
from me, or shall my sister tell it?"
"From you, because ] want to see you
blush at tho recital of your own deeds.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.