Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-06-05

tne taDle, tney generally 2ckn0Wiedget
it BY slight nod of the head. HI
-grieved that the estrangement hat
sprung up between them. grieved tina
Willis GOODNESS had erected barriel
of ice between them. A reconciliation
would have been gladly, heartily re
eeived by him.
Ludolph Lee was still in the city
but was to return home in a few days
One night as they were all assembled
in the sitting room discussing his pro-
spective travels, Ludolph said: "Hor.
ace, supposayou accompany me on my
European tour. 1t does not matter il
you have visited it once before, yor
will enjoy it now. A thing of beauty,
you know, should be "a joy forever.
No, Keats wasSeminently mistaken
when he wrote that. Some beautiful
things we tire of and they become OBJ
jects offensive tc the sight, rather than
things of beauty No, Ludolph, j
am fully satisfied with scenes of the
old world. 1 do not imagine l should
particularly enjoy a second trip" He
leaned indolently back as he spoke,
and fixed his brilliant eyes on the
CRATE.
II tell you, Horace, | have it now,
Ludolph continued. you go with
me over to Germany and take year
study under DIR. -, whilst | fit over
the Continent. Come, what do you
say?"
by Jove that is a capital idea,
Ludolph. / feel sadly the need OF
completing my course. and l believe
I'll CO." He leaned eagerly forward,
and fixed his eyes on Willis face, as if
to note the change, but none came.
She was bending over some delicate
needle work, and the white hands wove
the dainty stitches in as skillfully as
before. A vague shadow of disap-
pointment crept over his features as
he said:
you will have to give me tonight
to decide. l like the idea very much,
and think it probable | will accept
your invitation"
Ruth had been sitting by desk ex-
amining book of print, but with her
uncle's last remark she arose and came
over to his side.
you are not going to leave US, Uncle
Horace? You must not go. We can
not spare you" She wound her arms
around his neck, aud gazed down into
his eyes with beaming fondness.
swell, Ruth, / don 'tbelieve should
go if my fashionable niece was not SO
welded to the world that she never
gives her staid old uncle quiet hour
the whole year. One tires of being
alone, you know" he answered with a
lnisehievous smile.
You had better say, sir, that my
popular uncle does not vouch-safe an
hour of his precious society to his
weak, suffering niece. Oh you are
dissembler to turn the tide of censure.
she ran her white fingers through his
brown, curling hair with deft, tender
motion.
Ruth, you are fearfully selfish,
complained Ludolph.
well, if my fearful selfshness will
keep Uncle Horace at home, L thank
my stars | have it. She laughed
merrily.
But he is going with me, Lady Gay,
and you need not waste your entreaties
on him." he answered spitefully. Car
ter's nick name for Ruth was often
used By the whole family.
Hush, Ludolph. you do not know
what you are talking about. 1t would
be unmitigated folly for Uncle Horace
to leave the city now when his practice
is so extensive, and the confidence in
him unbounded. Let's change the
subject, please. | never like to talk
nonsense" She settled herself on an
ottoman at his feet, and he laughed
heartily at her vehement opposal.
"Yes, but let me tell you, Ruth,
when he returns he will deserve the
confidence lavished upon him. A
years study will wonderfully Improve
him. Only for year why think
twelve months will slip away before
you hardly miss him."
You underrate my affection for him.
Ludolph, if you think | would not
miss him during twelve months. 1t is
a perpetual loss"
Could Willis Waters heart have
spoken as she sat there so rigid and
still, those would have been the words
A perpetual loss, vacancy that nc
other could fill. Beneath the unim'
passioned veil of dignity her heart wai
throbbing with acutest pain. Under
the demure mourning robes there fut
tered an anguished regret. She sat sc
still, so still, and the rich wreath o.
blue-bells grew into exquisite perfec-
ton under the slender fingers. She
was sitting by a small work stand, and
the lamp threw its tinted light on hel
face in delicate, pink radiance. L
played on the broad brow, shaded BY
bands of jetty hair, and softened the
resolute mouth into crimson curves
The 1.-THE figure was, as usual, attlreC
in deep mourning, except small white
collar that turned back from thethroat
displaying the proud poise. Her coun
tenance was as placid as a moonlighteC
lake, while a tempest ragged beneath
which threatened to break the eonfinei
of her ice-sheathed heart, and spen'
itself in bitter sobs and mournfu
words. The whole misery Ofthe worl'
and the agony of years seemed gather
ed in her heart within the last hour
A new, suffocating weight was lai'
upon the already hardened soul, ant
still she sat as unruffed as a. statue
L. l.. m.