Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-06-14
CHAPTER III.

VII AL LII ILL
1t was evening again, and few months
from the above date. Carriages drew up
in front of the splendid mansion of the
Burtons, and forms of light loveliness
alighted, and passed up to the parlour,
leaning on the arm of manhood and no
bility. 1t was to be gay evening, the
birth might Of Melanthe. Soon all were
gathered, and the sound of music and of
song foated on the evening air. Summer
was nearly at its close. July was passing
into September. Their dwelling stood in
a retired court, apart from the noise in the
city's din. Large elm trees grew in front
and sweet flower garden sent its thou
sand perfumes to the playful winds, A
summer house covered with vines, the
clematis, the jessamine, and the bright
woodbine, formed sweet retreat where
Melanthe spent many brooding hours
The last moon of summer has now shed
its glorious light over every tree and shrub
and flower, and the interior of this little
grot was Aecked with lights and shadows.
One by one the guests passed in, along the
serpen.ine walk around the summer house
At last came Dr. Burton who brought in
with him stranger, and still not stran-
ger, for pair of quick eyes fell on his
face and figure, and Melanthe, who sat
alone in her retreat musing, ere she join
ed the throng ia the drawing room, knew
he was no stranger to her. Melanthe went
lin directly to her dressing room, and with
altering hands found thousand triHing
'hings to arrange in her toilet, when all
-. ,ooll,, o.ranoad In tba ,nost baont;c,I
order; but she dreaded that drawing
room, she dreaded her husbands pierc-
ing eye when he should bring the
stranger to be introduced to her, most Of
all she thought with the keenest agony of
encountering the gaze of Arthur, for this
was he.
Immediately after their parting that
night, he had left for Columbia, being
called there suddenly on business. They
were to have been married in two months;
at the expiration of seven weeks he re-
turned home, and on visiting the cottage
Of G-l, was surprised by finding it
closed and all as silent as the grave, but
for the notes of the warbling birds and
signing wiuds. The nearest neighbor was
two miles distant. There he reigned in his
horse, and what was his chagrin, his as
constituent and modification TO hear from
the little child who met him:
"Miss Hamilton, sir, and her mother
have gone away. She is married"
"Is she married? You must be mista-
ken, are you not?'
"No sir, but we don't know who she
married--some rich man though 1 believe.
loved to see her pass here walking. Did
you know her sir2"
"Oh yes" said Arthur, and With a
heart full Of misery he left
In the city he had many friends, among
whom was DR.. Burton's cousin, Hon. w.
T. Burton. Through him he had, on this
evening of the fete, been made acquaint.
ed with the doctor. He had heard of him
often--had heard his cousin speak of his
marriage to a young and handsome lady,
but he never heard who she was.
II Thus we see how he came to be one OF
the guests on Melanthe's birthnight And
as they had not met (those fond lovers)
since they parted on that memorable
night, you may see good reason for agita-
tion on their part. tits no light thing to
encounter the eye Of the one we love and
know they think us false.
J Slowly and hesitatingly she walked down
to the parlor where 50 many were ALREADY y
assembled-where her proud husbands
eye had long watched for her coming, and
, felt yexed at her long tarrying in defiance
OF the rules of politcness. Here she
gained more composure, as We, in some
, trying crisis, oft despair of even retaining
our senses. Though paler than ever, hel
smile was bright, and she was the centre
of admiration.
Dear Melanthe, you look pale; wha
! kept you when | was locking for you SC
r long?'
1t was her husband who spoke to her
/! but she scarcely answered, or only replied
sit was nothing" There was no sympa
: thy in her soul gentle though it was) foi
J him.
I "This is my wife, Mr.. Stanley" Thi,
/ was the moment she had neryed herself for
e bnt composure suddenly again deserted
1! her. Her brain reeled, she raised her eye
: to his face, and OIL that look, how sorrow
G full, how reproachful, how calm--and ye
/ worse than all other glances to bear, wa
a the look of old affection, mingled Will
thosO OthCt ioOhS, "hiOh Sc0m0u W rug u
s hold her to his heart as of old, but ye
l never, no never could do SO again. Itwa
Q too much her sight failed her, and sh,
sank fainting on the floor. None noticed
r Arthur; al! eyes were on her. He passe'
e out, and was soon in the retirement of hi
room, where he wept like child over th
disappointment which crushed his spirit
d Melanthe was borne TO her chamber. Sh
II soon recovered from her swoon, but wa
IS i'll all night, aud for many days and night
y after. The husband whispered, ait is to-
much excitement, and We must live NOR
i quietly" To which she feebly assented
y Sometimes the fever racked her brain, ant
y her mind wandered. 1t was one nigh
Il when he sat alone by her, holding he
? hand, that he heard her pronounce tn
name of ARTHUR STANLEY, and rayin