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

ness IS likely to be envelloped In deeper
gloom, and its setting heralded by angry
storms. But to anticipate evil, is to realize
it, in part, though it never come, and there
is pleasure in indulging bright hopes
though they prove to be as unsubstantial
as the oasis that cheers the heart of the
thirsty traveller of the desert To me,
this sort of indulgence is real pleasure,
because to be undeceived is no disappoint-
ment.
"Day-dreams bring pleasure to us all, :"
he replied, ono matter what would be
practical philosophers may say to the con
trary and if they are not permitted to
impair our energies for conflict with reali-
ties, the pleasure to be derived from them
makes up no small portion of the sum
total of our happiness. An extreme in
dulgenco units one for the really practical
and useful, and that unftness ultimately
induces more misery than can possibly be
counterballanced by the pleasure that in
duced it; but, happily, the realities to be
encountered, daily and hourly, impose a
constant check upon the widest fancy,
and few are permitted so completely to
withdraw from this troublesome world as
to live exclusively in world of their own
creation. And as an illustration of this
last truth, permit me to remind you that
preparations are to be made for the home
ward journey, and the day is growing old; ;
and as | see Ann strolling towards the
Spring, unattended, 1 will leave you to
your duties, and hear what she has to say
for herself"
Miss Lee, on hearing approaching foot
steps, turned her head, and met the eye of
her lover. Her countenance expressed
discomfort rather than sadness, and the
smile was forced, with which she greeted
him. 1t was evident, however, that she
made an effort to assume the pleasant ex-
preston which her countenance usually
wore, and to give to her voice the soft,
musical tono Characteristic of it, when she
thus addressed him:
"Were | predisposed to jealousy, Ed
ward, l might we'll indulge it towards Miss
Berne, who has monopolized your atten-
tions for the last thirty-six hours; but
being charitable, l ascribe the fact to the
duties incumbent upon you as the tenn
porary guardian of that exquisitely beauti-
ful lady.-Perhaps you have been drawing
upa marriage contract between her and Mr.
Hart, as it is whispered here, that she has
been holding him in reserve-as dernier
resort"
off there is a woman on earth" Mr.
Motley gravely replied, "of whom you
might be jealous, it is Helen, and fortunate
indeed, will be the man that shall claim
her as his wife. But you are right in
your conjecture, that my duties as her
temporary guardian have engaged much
of my time, since our last interview and
| am most happy to announce to you the
fact, that the story of her marriage turns
out to be an unmitigated falsehood."
"No doubt you think so, Edward, but
am sorry to say / have seen proofs to th'
contrary, that have not met your eye"
"You mean, Ann, that infamous com
munication of Mrs. Meddler, to you l'
She blushed, and looked down, but sale
not word in reply. eyes 1, too, have
, seen it" he continued, "and was deeply
, grieved to learn that you had suffered
yourself to be imposed upon by such
story coming from such a source. 1t i
true, that the vile old hag told you tina
Helen would visit poor woman with
sick child, and it is true that you saw he
as she went forth, on her mission of mercy
r but you did not hear her words of comfor
| to the mother, nor see her soothing
caresses of the suffering infant; nor di,
! you know that she, a stranger, and guide,
only by the impulses Of her generous heart
, played the part Of ministering angel +
two beings-friendless and destitute
q bound to yourself by the ties of blood
| "Bound to mel" She exclaimed, look
Q ing up into his face, with unfeignod sur
, prise.
5 eyes, bound to you, Ann. You hay
c cruelty insulted Helen because Mrs. Med
y dlcr told you she was the wife of Burto
= and the mother Of that child"
n "And what proof have you, Edward
that it is not true2
$ 81 have proof that Burton was the hus
4 band of your own cousin; have proc
y that the poor woman, whose wants Hcle
t so generously relieved, and whose griel