Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-12-16

"Hush here he comes" said Altamount
: as bingham entered the room, on some
mission from Lilly. Bells large Eastern
eyes were bent fully on his face, and he
could not avoid pausing to exchange gay
word OF two with her as he passed. She
.instantaneously assailed him with lively
rcprOaches for his neglect of her during
the whole evening. J.5IFE
Don't you think ought to inflict some
severe penance upon you?" IN.
'I trust you will not be too severe, he
'gaily replide, 'I am sensible Of my error. "
"Thsn, she murmured, with softened
lustre in her splendid eyes, 1--WE will seal
your pardon with glass Of champagne" F"
Anything but that, Miss Stanley" he
stammered. K W
Then it is true" said Bell contemptous-
ly. sYour betrothed cannot, trust you
without promises fine sample of the
petticoat government you are hereafter 20
be favored with. aa -EIIna
"Mr. bingham made no reply. He
felt himself in rather an embarrassing
situation and he heartily execrated that
annoying promise. .t -.
Just one glass" pleaded his lovely
temptress, as be still hesitated.
."y out are an absolute savage, ST. james" "
: said Altamount, "to refuse it from such
hand !" -f.... ..s.U.H
Alas how easy is to yield. In that
single moment Of uncertainty st. James
was lost. He took the one sparkling glass
from the dark eyed Ciroe, and in an in
slant the small visible barrier erected to
stem the tides of his fatal proclivity, was
swept away.
AS he placed the empty champagne
glass on the table, his startled vision met
the grieved, reproachful gaze of Lillian
BrOoke's deep blue eyes. She had entered
a moment since and now stood at his
side, like guardian angel. But he felt
that Bells scorching glance was on his
every action, and rccklessly exclaimed
"You will pledge me, also, Lilly? Nay,
do not look so grave surely hasty
promise is better in the breach than in the
observance. Al
But she had turned from him and glided
silently from the room ere he could follow.
Sad and bitter were her reflections, as she
sat in her own luxurious chamber at home.
! The red glow of the clear fire in the CRATE,
and the moonlight radiance of single
perfumcd taper, burning through the
Transparent urn of an albaster lamp, fell
on troubled brow and fearful eyes. Poor
Lilly; the wreath of scarlet rose buds
in her hair were not yet withered, the
diamonds were yet flashing on her breast
yet the sweet blossoms of hope were dead
/ forever.
Her sorrowful resolution was soon
taken. She felt that she could never place
all the wife's confidence in one whose re-
solves were 80 feeblc--so easily broken
She knew that wine was her rival that
when solemn promise was thus unheeded
Iall the restraints of prudence or discretion
would be of little avail And so, al
though it was like the tearing asunder of
soul and body, she laid away her dead and
buried love in the sad mausoleum Of the
past, never more to rise again
1t was a mournful night. The pcrfum-
ed light waned low, and fickcred into
darkness the bright fire died out into ashy
chillncss and gloom, and still she sat there,
her fair young head dropping on her
shoulder, its bright curls ripping round
her snowy arm all unconscious Of the pro-
gress of time And when the cold gray
lights of dawn began to penetrate the silk
en- curtain of the easement, she felt that
the life was past
"Mr. bingham is below, ma am, said
7. a servant, the next noon, as Lilly sat, pale
and exhausted, in her apartment, "sha!l |
say you are not well ?"
Tell him." said Lilly-"noy, | will
write message" And she hastily in
scribed on card the following words:
"Thc broken promise of last night has
placed an impossible gulf between us
Hereafter, our paths through life lie in far
/, different directions for | cannot trust one
who is false to himself. Farewell forever
,, LILLY"
Ct. James read the fatal sentences with
a sinking heart, yet in spite Of an accus-
} ing conscience, be strove to think himself
t aggrieved, "Woman's caprice y he NUT
f tered hercely 81 was a fool ever to trust
my happiness in her keeping, However
- this freak will not last long, and for, the
: present, if my presence is so disagreeable
; she shall not be troubled with il"
70 He left the house, and the estrangeG
lovers never met again.
! Years past by, Llllys health, which haC
h began to fail from the excitement aud dis
c tress Of mind, was finally restored on tn,
change Of air and scene consequent OF
removal to another city. Gradually the
[ deep sears of her sorrow healed up
t gradually the memory Of bingham be
came like distant dream. She weddeC
one in some respects worthy of her gentle
Y virtues, and in the happy occupations o
wife and mother, forgot the troubled in
c cidents of her early grlhood,
e Meanwhile bingham had wasted hi
o fine fortune by coarse of reckless ex
+ trayogonce and dissipation, and gradual.
= sinking from his position in society, ha'
g hccome mere wreck of his former sell
is lie also had left his native city, and TO
years his name was never mentioned amon
?. those who had been once his friends an
j..