Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-08-19

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locked the writing desk beside him, an,
stepping out into the street, valise in han,
locked up his Office, and walked away. Hi
residence was long distance from the gar
den of his sisters house, and yet it wa
there he found himself after hurried wall
of some five minutes. He lifted the latcl
of the little gate and entered.
at is the last time, Gertrude, that
shall be so weak" he murmured, as he
looked up at the vine-covered window
where lamp was still burning "the last
time | shall be so near you Oh Ger.
trude, can you dream what you have done
or is your heart all marble still?"
He buried his face in his hands. and
wept like child. The memory of the
happy hours he had spent with her came
too strongly over him to be borne. lie
could only meet such remembrances with
his tears.
When he looked up again he was con-
cious of an unusual hustle in the house.
Lights were moving hurriedly in several
directions, and once or twice he caught a
glimpse of his sisters figure passing the
window of Gertrude's room. What could
it be? Was Gertrude i'll?
His heart stood still at the thought. He
could bear never to look upon her face
again but oh, the grave must not cover
it from him. He sprang up the path, and
was about to enter, when the door opened,
and Alfred Egerton came out.
"You here, Walter" he exclaimed, start
ing back, as the pale face of his brother
met his eye. Faith just told me to go for
you when had summoned the doctor"
The doctor!'' said Walter, turning pale
as he found his worst suspicious realized
"Who wants the doctor?"
"MisssAlewynne is very i'll" replied AL
fried. "She is threatened with brain
fever, think"
"Oh, merciful Heaven The unhappy
man staggered aud caught at his brothers
hand to steady himself
Alfred looked at him a moment, and
then said soothingly, walter, it will not
do for me to stay here a moment. But go
in and see Faith /; she will comfort you"
He Trung his hands sympathizingly, and
hurried away
Half blind with his unshed tears, the
young man entered the house,
and seeing his sister sitting at her writing
desk in her parl r, sank down at her feet
and hid his face in her lap.
evil she die, dear Faith?" he asked
81 hope not, my poor Walter. But she
is very ILL.," answered Faith, laying her
hand upon his head. "Our own doctor is
with her now, and Alfred is just gone for
another"
"What are you doing?" he asked, look.
ing up at the alf.fnished note before
her.
"Writing to her brother to come to her,
replied Faith.
II did not know that she had one,
Faith"
"0h yes. I have never seen him, but
she sent me his portrait once. You know,
she added, with faint blush, sit was quite
a dream with us when We we're girls--that
is-she wished me to marry her brother,
and | wanted her to marry mine"
II know-I know" said Walter, and an
indefnable expression of pain fitted over
his face.
"And so she sent me Edwards portrait" 4"
continued Faith "Would you like to see
it, Walter?'
"Yes," he replied.
She opened her writing desk, and taking
out small inlaid case, she gave it to him.
He gave one startled glance at it anoth-
er-and the portrait fell from his hands,
and he uttered loud cry.
"Oh Gertrude II he exclaimed. "Oh,
m ~ noor nj fa ~
'"Gertrude your wife, exclaimed his
startled sister. Oh, Walter, when will
these mysteries cease 2"
"Now-with this moment" he replied,
rising and seating himself beside her.
"You shall hear all--you deserve it,
Faith, you have had your wish. For
twelve months she has been my wife,"
"Oh, Walterl' she exclaimed
Don't interrupt me, he said ~ knew
long ago what your wish was; but
wanted to Judge of Gertrude for myself
[ knew she thought / was your own bro
ther, and she met me as Walter Roscoe
at fashionable Watering place, without
a suspicion of my identity. | found her
all you had so often described. | follow
ell her to her home, and she was still more
lovely there, Still did not make myself
known as your brother. Perhaps had q
fancy for one of your pleasant surprises,
Faith"
"Oh, go on, dear Walter" said his
sister.
IL married her, Faith, and was looking
forward to a happy meeting with you. 1t
was the second evening OF our marriage,
and had walked out with friend to
whom | wished to say goodbye. The
moon had risen before | returned and as
| laid my hand upon the latch of the gate.
| remember looking up at the moon, and
thinking what beautiful, tranquil aspect
it wore, and how perfectly happy was.
Faith, | have looked at the moon many
times since, but she never wears that love
ly face for me now"
He paused and sighed. Faith kissed
him tenderly, and waited for the conclu-
sion of the story.
,tWall n uust all he told - he resum.