Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-12-24
IN THE MOUNTAINS.

" | am sorry, Mr.. Norton, II word
or deed of mine has ever led you Il
make this declaration. assure you
never had the least suspicion that
your affection for me was other than
that Of friend. am so nccus ometl
to think OF you as such that ! never
expected that you cared for me-"
The speaker was n lady of scven-
teen summers, the daughter Of a
wealthy merchant of the city. But
thes scene of this dialogue was u charm
Ing villa ut Kensington. Very lovely
she was as she stood leaning against
the window, looking up half fright
ened into the face Of the gentleman
whom she was addressing. Her dress
of delicate blue, with fall of snowy
lace at the neck and wrists, set off her
delicate beauty, pure as the opening
rosebud and her golden ringlets sur.
rounded with kind Of halo the face
upturned to his.
=" You are yet young, Katie" lie
said. would not ask you to give
up your freedom only give me hope,
and will wait tor you as long as you
desire. May l wait and hope on, Ka-
tie"'
] know / am young, Mr.. Norton,
but not too young to decide. | own
the TRUTH" she said, the rich blood
crimsoniny her white forehead "and
rs a tried friend, l can trust you tu
keep my secret--I am already en-
gagged"
Then l am too late" And the
frame of the hadsome young man
trembled as he buried his face in his
hands.
Looking up some moments after,
his lace white and haggar,l, as iffrom
long Illness, he said, gently caressing
the golden head bowed so penitently
" May you be very happy, my Katie.
l once hoped to call you my own
now, all that Is past. 1 cannot say
give you up willingly, for 1t takes the
sunshine from my life; but If he Is
worthy Of you | will give you up,
and, aad may the good Father bring
you all the happiness covet for you,
little friend;" and turning quickly
he left the room.
:" Just my luck exactly !" sobbed
Katie, after he had left her alone.
"To think that he loved me, and
when would give almost anything
in the world tn please him, since he
has been so kind, the very thing he
wants | must refuse him ~
And Katie sobbed us if her heart
would break.
Crying! Why, Katie, what ails,
you? This is new freak OF yours
What Is the matter, Katiew
Aud the gentleman seated himself
beside her, and turned to find the rea-
sou OF her tears but she would not
answer him.
" met Norton on the stairs" he
continued, land he looked as it he
had lost his last and only friend. Ha,
he any connection with those swollen
eyclids, Katie?"
"Oh, Henry, that Is just 1t? And
Katie, told him all her trouble, ad.
ding, " i am SO sorry, for he has been
50 good to papa"
!" And so you refused him, eh
You need not trouble yourself tn,
least; he'll live through it. / never
did like the fellow" he continued
his brow growing dark as some un.
pleasant memory crossed his mind
"and am glad some one upon whom
| have some claim, can make him
feel as an ordinary mortal"
" You shan't talk so ot Mr.. Norton,
Henry Grey :" and the blue eye,
flashed threateningly. I" He has
been one of our best friends during
dear papa's illness, and | shan't listen
to such language"
"Phew! Who are we now :''
And the young stock broker (for such
he was opened his eyes in astonishe,l
wonder at this unexpected outbursI
from the usually good-natured Katie
" am friend of Mr.. Norton and
after all of his proofs of friendship tn
me and mine, | am not going to heal
of any ones talking of him in that
style, much less you of all Others, Mr.
Grey"
7" Ha, ha, ha ~ laughed the stock
broker, seemingly much amused
Really, Katie, you are actually
growing handsome, What n treasur,
was lost to the stage when you prom
lied to he Mrs. Grey But we won't
quarrel about him. have no doubt
he Is a line fellow; only every on,
dosen't know it, and he ="
"Henry Grcyw threatened Katie.
" Beg pardon, but | had forgotten
BY the way, Kit, the Wandering
Minstrels sing at Lady Chatterton',
,han % 81 ;; ,"'"s' ""u ""'' sou W i'e"i
'''H ~ nj nj W.,
in',iN you' iienry' ou' no h"'
c"re " co. , A., ,v,,,
,t,ni care 10 near 'ne Mahue.inI
i,'S.re,s WI, c.I, ol course you uo' WI ! WI
eau 'o' you NJ seVeh' lie saiu' risihs
W 70;
inank you, no no not WISH u
=" ouI ~ M tnis evening.
anu Matte leaned ner cneeK agains,
ner l'alu' anu iookeu uowh s'e",lly
upon ''ie carpet seeming 10 'orge'
his presence.
Dut nave set my heart upon go
ing, healsWefeu iihpatientiy, ant
I cahh9t go alone, just Ior wnim
Come, hit dont go into mourning
over thal iuckless wight OF yours, aho
deprive me anu yourseli OF an even
.