Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-11-21
LILLY'S MISSION.
BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN.

Must you ops asked a sweet, fiat
tering voice. And Stanley Morel
turned, look of annoyance on hi
! handsome face, and answered, in
slightly impatient tone:
II really must. Well, what is it?
he asked, as the beautiful eyes sough
his. with such en- appealing expression
"Oh? | cannot tell, Stanley;
you would only stay with us tonight
You know / have not asked you for
long, long time. lam impressed will
such weight of gloom-of some com
ing sorrow. l hardly know how Il
express my feelings. But do not &c
from us, my husband.
She came to him, and clasped hi:
hands as if to hold him back.
1t had been a long time since she
begged him to stay, or demonstrated
against his neglect. Stanley Morcll
remembered it well. And for an in
slant his heart was touched, and he
felt that he would rather remain with
his wife and child, than go to his ac-
customed place of resort. But his
word was pledged, and go he must. II
kinder tone, placing his arm around
her, he said:
"Oh, you are nervous, that's all
Cheer up [ will not be late tonight
| wish | could remain at home. But
Nellie, my word is given You know
man Of honor cannot break his
word. Now smile. | will not go out
tomorrow night. In fact, | must dc
better than that. I'm getting tired
of the club-room. Nay, not another
word" playfully putting his hand over
her mouth; Il must keep my word.
And her lips moved to tell the
thought that filled both brain and
heart thenl His word could not be
broken to his fellow-man; has honor
was involved. Where were the prom
ises whispered in the ear Of trusting,
confding woman? Where. the vows
made at the altar of God? Where
Gone-strewed to the winds; disre-
garded and forgotten. Before Heaven
guilty, perjured man. With his
companions, the world, his honor still
untarnished. He put her gently from
him, and approached the lounge, and
bending lovingly over his little girl,
asked
Are you asleep, Lilly? Bye-bye.
Papa's going now
She raised her sweet face to his. and
whispered:
Most to sleep. Must Papa go?'
stroking his face.
For little while, darling. Kiss
me now goodbye, for an hour only"
As the room door closed, and his
steps were heard in the hall, the moth
er caught Lilly up, and whispered
hurriedly:
Call papa, Lilly, and beg him not
to forget to come back soon.
The little lips were parted to do her
bidding, but only hoarse sound came
fourth, and Lilly whispered
Mamma, yeu call Lilly's got a
cold; she can't call. Lilly will whis-
per to papa.
STANLEY, stop moment; Lilly
wants YOU" called Nellie, as his hand
was on the door knob.
He came back, holding out his arms,
into which his darling sprang, clasp
ing him lovingly round the neck
Papa, do come back soon. Lillys
most mind to keep her arms around
papa's neck ever and ever, and hold
him, so he can't go to those bad men,
and stay from mamma and Lilly" she
whispered in his ear.
My little treasure, | will not stay
long. Nellie, she has taken cold give
her some drops. Let me go, that
may come back soon.
With another kiss, he gently un-
wound the little clingiDg arms, and
placing her in Nellie's hurried out.
Five years before, when Stanley
Morely married the lovely Nellie
Howard, every one declared her most
fortunate in having secured man Of
such brilliant prospects; the only child
of wealthy parents, and one of the
promising young lawyers in the city.
How it was Stanley was first induced
to leave the society of his beautiful
wife, or whether he had acquired a
fondness for the gaming table before
his marriage, it is difficult to tell. Ii
the latter, he had guarded his secret
we'll for be was believed beyond re-
proach. For several months he was
all that the most exacting wife could
have wished. Gradually it came
first one and another excuse for his
absence and late hours. "A meeting ::
the lodge - our club-night." Then
more frequent, until excuses ceased
and every night, with the remarks
We'll, I'm going to the club now" he
left his wife and little girl.
With a trembling heart, Nellie saw
his business neglected, his health fail
ing. Almost daily she Was subjected
to the deep modification ofhaving i'm.
patient creditors pressing settlement;
of their claims. In vain she had plead
with him; until at length, despairing
of any change for the better, she sank
into state of quiet submission.
When Stanley bade his little cir
goodbye, he fully intended going tC
the saloon, excusing himself, and re
turning Immediately home. But hi:
companions would listen to nothing Of
the kind. And one veHtured the re.
mark that MIR. Morely feared re
verse of his good fortune of the nigh
before" Stanley has been in higl
luck then, and the speaker had suffered
much in consequence Others san.
out, Yes, yes you must give him /;
chance of revenge" He could not re
sist. Throwing himself into a seat, b,
began to play.
An hour passed, another and anoth
er, and still fortune favored him. II,
could not withdraw lnsinua;ing re
marks reached his ear, that made hin
remain and play on.
At twelve o'clock he grew uneasy
dreadfully so. A sweet voice wa
sounding in his ear, calling him home
Wilder, more beseeching it grew. TIL,
little arms seemed about him then
drawing him away. He started up
He must. he would 60 home. Tn
luck had changed He knew it not
Mechanically he had thrown down tn,
cards. His thoughts were of tn
sweet child at home. Again coo
well directed, shaft reached him. Th
voice has grown weaker that seemet
calling him. Pshaw! he was nervous
so much loss of sleep had made hin
so. No sound reached his ears then
bu. those of his companions. Th
baby's pleading tone, had ceased. III
began again. and played until all wer'
willing to stop.
Leisurely he traversed the street
/ homeward. There was no need o
haste then. The weary eyes had lonj
since ceased their watching; and wer
closed in sleep, he hoped. Yes, Lii
ly's eyes were closed; she was sleeping