Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-04-29

sportive wave. The pale narcissus, still
t pining with unreciprocated passion, turned
from the wooiug breeze to seek its image
in the purling stream.
"This is lovely spot, do you not think
SO Lily?"
ayes, often bring my book, or writing
here while the children are at play, to en-
joy its quiet beauty"
: at is called Loves Retreat, and the
semicircle of vines in which you are en-
thronod is 'Beauty's Bower. 1 have long
contemplated leading you to this place to
listen to a confession, cowardice prevented
me from making sooner, for feared your
decision. Will you hear it2"
Walter paused for reply, but Lily's
heart beat so tumultously that she feared
to trust her voice and gave silence for con-
sent. a
III have not shown you my mornings
purchase yet" Walter slipped the ring
from his finger and held it up to view, ga
strange fancy for bachelor who eschews
jewelry, is it not ?"
"Not very, if reports are true" replied
Lily, willing to pospone the embarrassing
question which she dreaded yet wished to
hear.
ITO what reports have you allusion.
Lily?"
"Madame Rumor circulates that your
business is to win gentle creole from her
orange groves, to share your heart and
home"
"But you do not believe it, Lily2 You
Knou that it is FALSE" said Walter fixing
his earnest eyes upon her downcast face
as if he would read there a contradiction
of her words.
"Lily, love makes the vericst towards of
us all, and in proportion to the earnest
truthfulness of our alteration are our
doubts of winning the object which we
worship and you have never, from the be-
ginning of our acquaintan ce, given me the
slightest hope. Lily, see myself very
distinctly in the dew-drop that slumbers
in the fower-cup just above your heart
does my image erer rest there SAGE aohen re-
Rected?"
"Good morning Mr.. Mayhue. Miss Lily
| was passing this way upon visit to old
Mrs. Brown who is very i'll, and thought
would leave with you copy of the work
you SO much desired to see ;-'Amanda's s
Poems Minnie told me where should
find you" said Parscn Barker. "No intru-
sion hope" glancing at Walter.
"0h no, replied Lily, "Thank you for
your kindness How is Mrs. Brown? Not
dangerous I hope l intended calling
upon her this morning, but" Lily glanc-
ed at Walter and her face was suffused with
bushes. Somebody was evidently de trop
and Walter arose saying,
"Do not let me detain you Miss Lily; l
shall see you again before I leave"
"Will you not accompany us?" asked
the parson patronizingly.
"Excuse me: urgent business leaves me
no time for such visits at present A plea
SAINT morning to both, replied Walter
haughtily, and hurried away in no very en-
viable state of mind
II cannot accompany youto Mrs. Browns
this morning, Mr.. Barker; the walk is
lengthy and it would be time to commence
school before l could return. 1t wants
but twenty minutes of the hour now
"I regret your decision, exceedingly,
Miss Lily, as must leave for Brooklyn
this evening. i should like to have pri-
vate conversation with you before l go and
this will be my only opportunity. Could
you not spare me few moments from
your classes am sure they would not
suffer from the loss"
"ThOy might not, Mr., Barker, yet honor
forbids that | should appropriate the time
belonging to my patrons, to my own use" "
"You are right, Miss Aylmer, always
! right, and whatever the pleasure, or advan-
tage to be gained by myself, l must not
tempt you from the path of duty. You
however will not refuse to read this letter,
and let me solicit for it, calm, unpred-
judiced perusal Farewell, Miss Lily,
shall not see you again, for what, measured
by my impatient spirit will appear very
long time, and when l return | shall miss,
sadly, your sunny face from my lonely
home. But wherever you may be, may
heaven smile upon you and shield you from
sorrow"
Lily mechanically received the letter
and returned to the schoolhouse uncona