Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-05-10

emotion in his breast" ETC., etc. After
that said no more, but closely observed the
lovers, and soon came to the conclusion that
Fred. was by no means disagreeable to her.
| Things went on in this way without any
definite results, until Fred received sudden
summons home on account of his mothers
| illness. When he came back to renew bis
visit, he insisted upon staying at the Oak
vile Hotel rather than wear out his wei
come at our house, and finding rcmonstrance
unavailing, there he went. The landlord
| (honest old Downsbury-I wonder If be yet
lives (gave Fred, at my suggestion, his best
bedroom, "No. 20 u am particular in
mentioning the number. "He shall have
No. 20" said Downsbury. "Any friend Of
yours, Master Augustus shall have the best
have 10 give rs long rs I'm landlord" 1t
was pleasant room. looking out on the dis
tant bills and beautiful winding branch of
the Black Water; but what cared Fred for
scenery? be was in the hands OF the blind
god, and could not see even as far as his nose,
except in the direction of Bellies cottage.
used to go over to Freds. room and smoke
my cigar, While he poor wretch, expatiated
on his sufferings, doubts and solicitudes-
Did she love him? that was the question
which disturbed every moment of his exis-
tence. and to which, with the closest reason
ing, he could not bring himself to salts
factory reply. Sometimes he thought word
or sign settled the point beyond doubt in
his favor; and at others he fancied he read
GOODNESS and indifference in her eyes. In
this condition of uncertainty he dare not
press the question lest a hasty step might
bring him to grief.
AT Fred's. earnest solicitation promised
to sound Belle as to her sentiments, If fav-
orable opportunity presented itself, or at any
rate to let her know in al indirect way that
Fred. was languishing in distress on her ac-
count, and thus give her no excuse for un-
necessarily prolonging his misery. 1t so
happened, however, that my services were
not called into requisition. Bell Bronson,
becalase of the sudden arrival at her house
of some country cousins, was obliged to give
up her room-her mothers cottage being
small one--and to occupy for single night,
room at the hotel. We would cheerfully
have offered her guests accommodations at
our house, but were in the same predicament.
An agricultural fair in the village had
brought many strangers into the place, and
our guests were 50 numerous that had CIV
en- up my room TO two Of them, and had in
tended asking Fred. Evans to let me pass the
night with him.
For this purpos, went TO the hotel at a
la;e hour, and proceeded at once to Fred's.
room, but to MY surprise found no one
there. did not even notice that his trunk
was gone, or suspect the fact which after
ward became apparent, that to oblige some
lady guest for this night only, as the land
L. II EraA had nd ~
give up "No 20," and to occupy small
room in the rear Of the building. The gas
being turned up, took book to await his
return, and hearing at last what appeared to
be steps approaching the room, and suppos-
ing II to be Fred, In momentary impulse,
to play joke on him, ! slipped under bed,
large. high one intending to initiate a cat
(of which animal knew he had a detesta-
tion) as soon as he entered the room. The
door opened, and was on the point Of in
duging in my ventriloquial faculty by Civ
ing long drawn mieuw, when from my
hiding-place beheld Belle Bronson take
quiet possession Of the apartment.
Ny astonishment was so great, and the
sense of modification so intense that did
not, as | should have done, make myself
Immediately known to her. Thus the
opportunity for discovery and explanation
was lost dared not move a hair, but
hoped sincerely that some excuse mighttake
her out Of the room for a moment, and so
facilitate my escape. She, however, locked
the door, removed the key, and, as | knew
by the sound, prepared to retire. Finally
she kneeled down beside the bed, and clasp
ing her hands and bowing her head $50 fear
fully near mine that ! could hear the soft
words in my very ear), she offered up her
evening prayer in a manner so full Of feeling
and with such sweet accents of womhnly
tenderness and devotion that felt as II she
was an angel bending over the vilest of NOR
tails. That prayer went to my heart; but
one portion went through ii and held it cap
tive. Never shall 7 forget my feelings OF
surprise and deep emotion when heard her
utter these words:
"Bless my dear mother, sisters and
friends, bless all around me, and, o God
bless him love, Augustus Evergreen, and
shower down thy mercies over him.
Amen" dAh, Augustus" said my divini-
to to herself, as she rose from her devotional
attitude, "if you but knew that | named
your very name in my prayers, you would
be less indifferent TO mef"
If breathed short before, after this my
breath seemed to desert me entirely, and
verify thought that the beating of my heart
would betray me. Belle, pure as an angel
to me then and white as a snowflake pro-
ceeded to turn of the gas and get into bed
! felt her soft pressure over my head, and
shrunk closer and closer TO the hard floor
upon which was extended. What thoughts
rushed through my brain Above me lay
Ia Young and unsophisticated girl, wholly
Unconscious that the one she loved lay SC
closely to her, and who had for the first time
been made aware of her interest in him, by
hearing words which she supposed went only
TO Heavenl | knew then that the night
must pass away, and the morning come, and
then Belle must first leave the apartment
before | could venture even to change my
position.
Belle had lain perfectly motionless for sew
eral minutes, and was | hattered myself
loosing herself'i in sleep, when suddenly she
exclaimed to herself
"There-I hav'nt looked under the bed.
A borrow ran through me all is lost -
what should / dor Belle rose and heard
her feeling for the matches. She struck one
and was moving toward the gas-light, wher
the lucifer went out, leaving all in darkness
again. Blessed relief but how briefi-
Again heard her feeling for the matches
and trying to light one after another, as they
they failed to ignite; then an;
"0h dear, there are no morel" escaped
. from her lips.
"Safei safel" whispered my soul to me
and thanked God in silence for my deliv.
erauce. Belle groped back to bed, but die
no. Immediately get in; she stopped ant
lifted up the curtains which hung srounC
the bottom, and cautiously passed her arm
under and around as far as II could reach
, | almost felt her fingers Craze my face, as
II -l..lI. al Al.. h.