Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-11-16

that the stars are singing for gladness,
they shine so clearly"
l smiled.
at may not be Nature alone that causes
you such joy. Tell me, birdie, are you not
particularly happy tonight"
A flush colored her cheek, but she an
swered, in a low tone:
Yes, more happy than could once have
dreamed possible. But will tell you no
more now wait awhile, and perhaps we
may have pleasant story to tell each 9th
er. Would you like that, Miss LucyPn
"I can have no story to tell But your 8
/ can guess and, my darling, wish you
all the joy you now anticipate.
sand why not you, also2" she returned,
while an arch light played in her eyes,
"You are no Cassandra to foretell the fu-
ture and who knows what the fairies are
even now weaving for you? Listen to a
verse l have learned for your especial ben
eft:
'AsI walked by myself talked to myself
And myself said 10 me;
Beware of thysef take care of thyself,
For somebody careth for thee"
She gayly bounded to the door; then,
as if checked by some sudden thought, re-
turned.
"Nliss Lucy, will you please come in the
parlor tomorrow night, for Mr.. Everett
and Harry Ammidon are coming, and 1
cannot entertain them both?"
"Why, Laura" said |, "I do not think
your guests will care much for any enter
tainment l can give them however, q
anticipated her deprecating words) if you
desire it, will be present. But harkl-
Fido is waiting for his romp in the gar
den. Col"
With smile and kiss she vanished,
leaving me free to struggle with the pent.
up storm of emotion which her idle words
had raised.
What could she mean by her vague allu-
sionsP
Somebody caroth for thee!' Ha! hal
the very idea is absurd. Too long have
been the quiet, prim maiden lady, whom
all respected, and considered very nice,
estimable person, whose opinion is always
consulted upon grave and important mat
ters; but from whom none would covet a
dearer title than that of friend
All, thoughtless girl How unwittingly
have you touched that inmost aching
chord have so vainly tried to still. "Care
for MEL Have l not sung that old song
4 care for nobody-no, not /,
And nobody cares for me-"
Have 1 not at times smiled in grim salts
faction at the thought-no human being
has power to stir the inmost pulses of my
being; there is no shrine before which my
heart trembles and bows down
But now her light words have called in
full bitter life the humiliating truth have
endeavored to ignore. | have yielded,
weekly yielded, to an infatuation I,cannot
overcome. My whole heart, soul, and be-
ing has been given to one who cares not
for the gift who would indeed smile in
pity at the romantic passion of the COVER
ness.
/ have fought and wrestled in the still
dark night with this absurd Weakness
Over and over again have / accused myself
of doltish folly, more becoming girl Of
sixteen than a plain old maid of thirty
But in vain! The morning light has still
found me with that longing, eager aching
to behold him, to mark the changing shad-
ows of his deep grey eyes, to listen to his
words-the sweetest music on earth to me
And then, when he has come and gone
gone, and left with me all darkness and
gloom-have not vet my unquiet pillow
with salt tears, wrupg from heart quiv-
ering with anguish, and moaned in utter
desolation
"How long, o Lord! how long?"
i And he loves herl My beautiful Laura
my darling pupil and why should he mott
She has every fascination to allure, every
charm to bind him willing captive to her
chain, OF course they will marry, and
happiness will flow upon them in bounte-
Gus measure.
It was in the exultant consciousness OF
this she sought my rom tonight, that
might rejoice in her exceeding happiness.
have at times thought she preferred
; Harry Ammidon. But no, it cannot be
A very child would acknowledge the supe-
riority of one to the other. 1t is true
Harry has merry eye, genial laugh, and
careless, winning way, that doubtless
many might admire. While Mr.. Everett
mo! | will 90 off in no more romantic
rhapsodies. 1t is we'll his eye cannot rest
on these lines. He would smle---per.
chance sigh in compassionate sorrow for
the poor old maid.
This afternoon, after lessons were fin.
ished, 1 went into my room and soon fell
in deep, heavy slumber for mind and
body were exhausted with the weary con.
hict had undergone. A light kiss star.
tied me. Looking up l saw Laura stand.
ing near, who laughingly exclaimed
"Why, Miss Lucy, here it is ever sc
late, and you are not yet ready but sleep
ing as calmly as though the visits of gen
tlemen were not of the slightest conse
duence But shall not allow such gross
injustice to their merits any longer" And
stepping to the chandelier, she turned on
lsuch n Aood of lipht that nv dream,