Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-05-14
THE WARNING.
BY MRS. NJ. $. HILTON.

1t was early in October. yet raw
and chilly; and while shutting the
hall door, Mrs. Loring shivered
slightly, and going in, stood for a
moment by the handful Of coal burn
ing In the CRATE. @se4 R8EtA
She was a bright, pleasant looking
woman, and as she stood there, had
she been asked her great object in life,
she would have answered unhesitat-
ingly, her husbands happiness and
the welfare OF her child.
She had marie q young; and little
Mamie being born the first year of
her marriage, she had for awhile to
give up her fashionable pleasures |;
but as the little one grew older, she
gradually gave up the care Of 1t to
the nurse, and went back into soc;e-
ty with q keener zest than ever for its
excitements. .t. r...I.,
Mrs. Wilson will have a grand
night for her masquerade, Aunt Mar
garet," she said, to a pale, quiet, sad
looking lady who sat opposite her do
ing some embroidery. -.
Yes, my dear" was the queit re-
"She gave the finest entertainment
of last season." t...e
Did she?'
ayes but must go about Charles
Turkish cap. He will he at home by
Esix; and i wouldn't disappoint the
dear fellow for the world"
Humming gay air, she set about
plating together the soft pieces OF
crimson velvet; thinking meanwhile
in her dear little heart, how pleased
her husband would look when she
held 1t up for inspection at tea.
Goodness! Auntie; did that sigh
come from your heart;" she question
I'd half an hour later, after little lull
in their conversation. - 80
~ was thinking of Mamie" was
the reply.
"The dear little darling" murmur
Ell Mrs. Loring.
ado you always trust her so much
to the care of her nurse, Emma
continued her aunt.
a" Katie is good and faithful, Aun.
tie; and Mamie loves her dearly
answered Mrs. Loring.
Il thought once that q nurse was
good and faithful and my blind
ness caused the death of my only
child,n was the sad reply.
"What do you mean, Aunt Marga'
ret Y' exclaimed Mrs. Loring, laying
down her work baby is in perfect
health"
81 will tell YOU" continued hel
aunt, tearfully, " for perhaps my bit
ter sorrow may prove a warning t.
you.
Like you, Emma, I married young
and when little Alice got old enough
to be left to the care of nurse, l was
only too glad to do 30. i was very
vain of my good looks, and feared
that constant attendance upon hei
would mar my beauty. loved tt
dress her exquisitely to show her of
to my giddy, thoughtless friends; t.
feel two or three times day her soft
little arms around my neck and thei
pass her over to her young nurse.
/ She was two years and II half old
when one day, just such day as this
/ sent her out for her airing, caution
ing the girl not to stay too long, while
i sat down to finish sewing the silver
stars on q dress, in which was to re-
present Night, at Mrs. Strong's pri.
vate masquerade that evening.
I confess with shame that / was Sc
intent on thinking how 1 should ad'
Just my dress so as to produce thI
most stylish effect, l forgot for the
time my precious child.
1t was five O'clock before / had fin
ished it, and with the last stroke o.
the clock folded 1t up and though,
OF Alice. ..... ...- 80 .....
| Invent down into the hall and fount
Ellen just coming in, and Alice
held out her little hands pleadingly
to me AS approached.
chided Ellen for staying out 81
long, but she said she had just com,
from her sisters which reassured me
for il was but little distance away
and / had given her leave to take til,
child there.
So, telling her never TO keep m,
darling out so again, took her IN m,
arms and carried her up into my
room.
allie 'old mama she chartered, n
took off her wrappings and pillowe'
her soft face upon my BOSOM.
'Alie told mama! Allie 'old y sh,
kept saying, SO l wrapped warn
plaid about her, and building u fir
sat down by it with her in my lap
Ellen came in soon to take her, and
gave her u second scolding for no
minding me. For the first time Ali
refused to go with her and clung close
ly to me.
Never mind, Ellen, this time,
said rs saw the tears coming IL
her eyes. Then l added kindly, fo
i. II knew she loved Allie, "she will
come to you after | get her warm"
Ibid not think in my thoughtlessnes
! needed To do more; so after givinl
her some warm drink, and seeing tn
| ROSY flush come back TO her cheeks
easily purs uaded her To go to Ellen
and | thought no more of the circum
stance.
After the hurry and hustle of dress
ing for the ball, went into thenurse
ry. Ellen said she had gone directly t
sleep. Telling her To be sure and no
leave her, ! pressed kiss upon he
warm, little rosy mouth, and starte
with my husband for Mrs. StrOng's.
All of our circle Were there; and i
the mystery Of our DISCUSSES, W
passed an evening of Intense excite
ment. i remember always with
shudder l was never more gay O
light-hearted. = II .N.
Standing around the upper table
= we unmasked; and the first face
2 saw, was that Of Thomas, our man
\ standing in the door. There
Thomas, l said to Frank, go and se
what he wants. But my heart toll
me something was the matter wit
Alice, before he came back and said
alice, IL very sick. We must &
: home immediately
!, We found her in raging fever
10, my God!r continued the speaker
~ can never recall the days that fol
!, lowed, without torturing self-accus
e ing misery, that has rendered m,
: life at times almost nnbearable. ] re
J allied then how unutterably dea
2 Alice was 10 me; how empty m,
"A IA ~ a. "A ii ~