Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-01-17
SHE sTOOPs TO CONQUER.

A handsome, well-dressed young
gentleman Was sitting in an easy chair
in his apartment in a fashionable
lodging house in the city. Writing
materials were on table before him
he had evidently been engaged in writ
ing letters; but, for several moments
past, had given himself up to profound
meditation. and wasjust now soliloquiz-
ing. Let us listen.
Hang it all | can't imagine what
Uncle John can be thinking of! In
his last letter he says he wants me to
hasten home-that an old friend of his
is making him visit, and is accom-
panied by his ward, who is beautiful,
accomplished, and an heiress; then he
hints that it would be very agreeable
to him if / were to marry this heiress.
Pshaw! I'll go to the antipodes
frsti' -,
The indignant gentleman arose
hastily from his chair, and, jamming
his has-on his head, passed out of the
room, shutting the door with bang.
Soon he was vending his way down
the street, with the air of q much in
jured individual. "
John Vandalism was q wealthy and
benevolent old gentleman, whose affec-
tions were entered in his heir and only
living relative, Rupert Valdalsien, the
gentleman introduced above. The
Vandalism mansion was a palace like
building nearly always filled with guests,
for the hospitality of the host was
well-known. At the same time my
story commences, Mr.. Lester, an old
friend of the elder Vandalism, was
visiting at the Vandalism mansion !;
he was accompanied by his ward, a
beautiful young lady of some nineteen
years of age and as the lady, besides
being beautiful and amiable, was
heiress to half million, my reader
will readily surmise that Mr.. Rupert
Vandalism S injuries were more fancied
than real.
He did not return home, as his uncle
had requested, but took himself off in
an obscure country village, where he
employed part of the summer in hunt
ing, fishing and making love to the
bright-eyed country damsels, who were
one and all fascinated by bis gay bear.
ing and address, and stylish, city made
clothing; but finally becoming tired
of his uneventful country life, ne set
sail for Europe, determined to travel
till his uncle would give up his
'whim.
1t was in the gay city of Paris he
met an American lady by the nams of
Mabel Cheston-a tall, graceful lady,
with a naughty, imperious air which
was natural to her, accustomed as she
was to homage and admiration wher-
ever she CHANGED to be. She was in
evening dress, and the diamonds which
adorned her snowy neck and finely
moulded arms, and flashed amid her
raven curls, were not more brilliant
than her dark eyes
Rupert sought and obtained an in
PRODUCTION to her, and then fingered
near the belle of the evening, and when
opportunity offered, paid her the most
devoted attention. He received mark
cd encouragement from Miss Cheston,
who was all smiles and affability when
he was beside her, and gave him per-
mission to call upon her the next
day.
After returning to his hotel, this
hopelessly smitten swain acted in a
most ridiculous manner he paced up
and down his apartment, now thrust
ing his hand into his packets, and now
wildly running his fi1gers through his
curls; then he seated himself at a
writing table, and wrote 'Mable Ches-
ton over and over again and then it
was Mabel Vandalism, and little love
couplets written with many q curve
and flourish. At last he sought repose.
We will not attempt to relate his
dreams, but probably Cupid and Miss
ChestOn played pominent parts In
them.
After this, Rupert Vandalsien was a
constant attendant on Miss Chestnn,
and his less favored rivals retired from
the contest one by one. At last he
proposed to the lady, and was perempt-
Orily refused. At first he was almost
overwhelmed with grief; but pride
came to- his aid, and he sternly asked
her
will you be kind enough to inform
me, Miss Cheston, why it is that you
have encouraged me as you have done ?
Was it only to add another name to
your list of victims?
Nothing of the kind, | assure you,
Mr.. Vandalism, she answered, in cold,
measured tones. You perhaps have
not forgotten letter you wrote to
your uncle, Jno. Vandalsien, in which
you berated all husband hunting
heiressess,' and the one who was visit
ing the Vandalism mansion in particu-
lar. | am that heiress | was sitting
in window scat, concealed by the
heavy curtains, when your uncle aud
my guardian entered the library, and
thus became an unwilling listener to
what followed. Your uncle read the
letter aloud, and made some remarks
about your being a foolish boy to jump
so hastily at conclusions. You had
not heard the name of this much
dreaded heiress, and when | became
acquainted with you | determined to
be 'revenged; / have succeeded.
He pleaded with her but in vain.
all his protestations were received
with a scornfal SMILE and then he
said,-
Your revenge is not as complete as
you think it to- be-to be sure you
have fooled ME to the top of your bent;
but / shall not break my heart for an
INSCRIPTIONS, heartless coquette, such
as you have proven yourself to be.
With low bow, he left her.
She withdrew from the room, and
ascended the stairs which led to her
apartments with her usual naughty
grace; but when fast locked in the
privacy of her own chamber, she did
q most extraordinary thing:-threw
herself on the bed and burst into
tears.
oh, heayensp she sobbed. 7 have
driven him away! l shall never see
him againl Oh, pride is hard mis-
trass-and loved him sOp