Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-04-10
For the CHRONICLE.
WILLIS WATERS.
CHAPTER 1.

As proofs OF holy writ"
The bell had tapped for recess, and
the faces of these miniature women
lit up with pleasure, as they heard its
welcome peal. Together at one end of
the hall stood group of girls discuss
ing the approaching commencement.
well I'll declare, calculated pale
girl of about seventeen, ''it is provo
king"
what wonderful truth are you de-
claring now, Eva Marshall? Has the
new moon in a capricious moment
turned its silyery beauty into black
marble, or perhaps the style of neck
ties has changed, which is it, Ma
BELIEF"
The mirthful little face was turned
to her as if expecting an answer in the
affirmative to her inquiries.
Neither, but something far more
provoking. Why, doyou know, Clara,
the valedictory has been awarded to
Willis Waters, when we all so desired
that Lucy Lee should have it."
"Well, l don't see anything annoy
ing or startling in that. 1 for one, am
very glad that Willis Waters won the
day. I tell you, girls, you all do her
injustice. If you understood Willis,
you could not help but love her. She
has been unfortunate, poor girl, and
that with me, covers all her eccentric
ities.''
The little beauty threw her curls
earelessly back and faced her oppo-
nents with a faint sparkle of anger in
her roguish black eyes.
'She is as chilling and unapproach-
able as an Alpine peak; tries to affect
such dignity, and after all accomplishes
a frst-class failure" briskly retorted
Eva.
why, by the way. Eva. I believe
there is hint of jealousy in your tone
Remember let he who is without sin
cast the first stone Willis Waters is
a friend of mine, and I have never yet
found in her an inclination to con-
denim a thing that could not truth,
fully say of all my schoolmates. She
is one, atleast, infinitely above cea-
demnation." SO saying, she turned
and abruptly left the~eircle.
Where is Willis Waters?' she ask
ed, as she passed down the gallery.
In the art rooms, l think, Mis-;
Clara" little girl replied. and hithel
she bent her steps. She met her a
the door, and hurriedly pressed hel
warm congratulations.
Il am so glad, dear, and she wounC
her arms lovingly around her stately
companion.
"Yes. Clara, l have labored for the
valedictory and won it, but yours is the
only congratulation have. been Of
fered."
"You do not appear to be particu
larly proud of the honor, Willis, why
if it was me, l would be here, there
everywhere. with my face as bright al
five brass buttons to let everybod!
know that what l had won | fully ap
preciated ;" and her silvery laugh rang
out in the old study hall, echoing bacl
from the solitary corners, fraught will
the melody of mirthful, joyous ma
ture. "No, Clara" returned her com
panion, Il have been taught by nature
instructor, experience, the folly of be-
ing exultant over anything in this life.
There was bitterness in her tone, anC
Clara Ray involuntarily turned he
gaze quickly upon her.
She leaned gracefully against one o
the large pillows that supported th'
ceiling, and her companion noted will
admiration the beautiful figure, SO tall
so 1.-the, so willowy. Her face certain
ly held few claims to beauty, but /
was face that would charm you in
stinctively with the light of genius en-
throned upon the broad, low brow
and glancing always from the eyes
darkly gray and piercing. L have saiC
her face held few claims to beauty
Her eyes certainly were beautiful
Dark, changeful, and luminous, the,
would one moment rest upon you
lovingly as an infants; the next the
would dart forth angry CLEANS, or con
eeal under their ebon-fringed lid
lambent shadows. Her mouth wa
squarely cut, and decisive. A glitter
ing row of faultless teeth were dis
closed when an occasional smile light
ed up the features. The thin lips wer
rather haughtily curved, but the dew
coral upon them never paled. He
hair was black, and waveless as an In
dian's drawn prudishly back from he
brow. and fastened in regal, jet col
low down on her neck according t
the style of the time. Though plai
in feature, her form was simply mag
nifcent. Tall, straight and slender
a lily-stem, she moved among her CON
pauions with that commanding, match
less grace that is always so lily imita
ted. a modern Diana minus only he
arrow. As she stood there in the dil
light of the painted windows, Clar
Ray noted the subdued light in tn
beautiful eyes; the sweet resolut
mouth. and her heart went out Year,
ingIy to this young girl, orphaned, b'
reft.
"All my efforts toward success 81
continued until this struggle for II
valedictory have been failures, an
have left nothing as my reward b'
ashes and ruins. l have never ha
a cherished idol, but what, when Il
hearts tendrils had twined themselv
fonalv about it. it was crumbled
dust There was q haleful light 10 Il
elittering eyes. as she resumed b
,, subject. This is a cruel life and d
E ruler of life is treacherous, summo