Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-07-12
band the latter left her one day, quite

well, and do not get dreary | go to my
bankers In Rouen, but shall return ere
nightfall, so on reUior.'' And kissing
his hand gayly he rode off, and his
bride turned from the window with a
shudder Of aversion. exclaiming,-
Thank heaven [ am at last alone;
| oh, would that he were to be gone
years, instead of hours. Hal sum-
mons to the cell can he have return
ed? But no"
a gentleman to see madame - an
nOunced the obsequious servant
10 see me; why, who can it be? /
expect no one WE'LL" and she reused
herself, L will be down Immediately. T"
A gentleman rose as she entered the
salon tall, fair, handsome, and with a
glad light In his eyes as he held out his
arms, saying
=" Violetta, my darlingl"
Forgetting that it was now sin,
forgetting all things save the joy Of
seeing him again, she sank upon his
breast, sobbing only, 8 Edgar Edgar r.
and for long time she lay thus, while
he soothed her with tender words, and
fond caresses; at last she remembered
the awful abyss that now yawned be-
tween them, and withdrew herself
from his arms, saying sadly
Too iate-too late o Edgar
that | must say itl but your arms must
not clasp me now, nor your lips press
mine. lam wife,"
Nay, dearest, call it not by that
sacred name, name which you should
bear to none but me; say the word,
my darling, one little word, and we
will fly far away from here, and, in our
own sunny England, live but for each
other; wilt go p
Nay, Edgar, tempt me not;
life with you were paradise, while here
it is worse than death; but honor, Ed
gar, IS dearer than all. o my beloved,
ask me not!' and she turned shudder-
ingly away.
You are right; Violetta, my pure,
beautiful love, pardon me for daring to
breathe such words to thee but l was
wild, mad, darling, with this awful
grief, and thought but of my love and
loss. Am | forgiven?''
Freely truly, Alas, / too su-
fer! But you must go, dear Ed
gar, and oh J we must not meet
again it but racks our hearts with
anguish, and l tremble to think of the
consequences to you, if monsieur mis-
trusted our love; farewell, and for
ever" And she extended her hand.
"One kiss, Violetta, one kiss for the
sake OF our lost happiness, to last me
all the weary coming years only this,
ana i will begone." And advancing
to her side he took her hand, and gaz-
ing imploringly down into her sad eyes.
What could she say-how refuse?
For answer she raised her guiyering
lips to his, but, as he bowed his head
to press farewell kiss upon thatloved
face, she burst from him with shrek,
and raising his eyes he met the fiery
ones of Monsieur Verlais, who stood in
the doorway glaring upon them.
Ben" cried he, advancing, so
this is the way you amuse yourself,
madame, in my absence? Had | not
been obliged to return for certain pa
per, l should not have made this
charming discovery. Well, monsieur"
and he turned inquiringly to Edgar,
who arc you, and why are we honored
with your presence 2?
[ am an old friend of madame's,"
replied Edgar, cold, and was about
bidding her adieu; [ sail for England
next week, monsieur, and shall not
have the pleasure of seeing this lady
again"
hearing of her lovers intended de-
parture, had stood for a moment as if
turned to stone, then tottered back
with faint moan, what is this, ma
dame? Speak, Icommand you! What
is this man to you?"
He-he was my betrothed hus-
band, monsieur, before married you,"
she replied, family.
And what broke the engagement
again queried Monsieur Verlais, an an
cry light still blazing in his eyes.
My marriage" " acknowledged Vio-
letta, fainter still.
Then, madame, you did not love
me?
Never p she cried, indignantat the
thought "Neverl | married you
only to save my father from your veng-
ence. | never loved you, | loved him
alone" and she pointed to Edgar,
And now, monsieur you know all,
may leave the apartment ?''
Yes, go, he replied, mOtioning to-
ward the door, and with last glance
at Edgar, she Obeyed. And now
monsieur, listen, continued Monsieur
Verlais, turning again to Edgar were
| younger, l should not hesitate,
should fight and kill you; but
you would have now all the advantages
of youth and agility, therefore, as you
are to leave England so soon, | pare
you, but only on one condition: that
you are never again to seek an inter-
view with my wife, or in any way to
communicate with her. Now go-but
beware Cross my path again, and
die. [ have said it, and a Verlais al
ways keeps his word" and turning on
his heel he left the apartment.
X
1t was wartime in France, the peo-
pie versus the king, the commons
against the nobility Down with the
aristocrats !" was the rallying-
and the red tide of blood swelled
broad and high Just out of Paris
stood the gray convent of La st. Verge
within whose dreary walls the flower
of many noble house had bowed its
head to don the sombre robes of the
sisterhood Toward the building, near
sunset of a pleasant day (but one
mo rE aJ xu,fb 1IoaJcba1 -, fbo ,not;onfe
history tumultuous crowd poured
shouts and threats resounded on all
sides, and brawny, barred arms, and
clenched hands, were raised threaten
ly toward the frOwning, sightless walls
A 6ds les dTist0crdts" !" rings again
on the air and then the great door
yields meath the sturdy blows shower
ed upon it, quivers-groans-a then
falls inward with a mighty crash, and
as it falls, the crowd, foremost among
whom is tall, fair-haired youth, rush.
es forward with shouts of triumph.
But quicker even than they, a solitary
man springs before them, and stand
ing in the doorway, faces them with
drawn sword uplifted, crying
g Back back, / say, / say She is
here, and you enter not; begoHe!"
The mob thought the words address
ed to them; they knew not that they
were meant but for the handsome, pale
youth at their front; laugh of deri-
sion answered the speaker score of
shouts rang out-and the sole opposer
of their entry fell dead upon the stones
Over his body they dashed, and into