Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-06-12

eulnent VICTORY. ne nau llsleneu u
her distracted walk, and attributed
her agitation to his prospective depart
IRE. These were the thoughts of hsl
heart as she stood with proud, piercing
gaze fixed upon him. He saw tha
her feelings were fearfully wrought up
and that her wrath waxed warmer
| with each moment, and he soothingly
apologised.
mo. Willis, | have been very busy
answering some letters, and have mo-
yet finished. You are unjust to con.
denim so rashly." ,n
j The steely glitter was quenehed il
her eyes by soft, grateful light that
stole quickly in and made them two
miniature stars. With swift, free mo.
ton she gave him her hand, saying
Forgive me was hasty in judgment,
and eager in reparation." t
He took the extended hand, and
goodwill was again established. In
the bitter strife Of the last few minutes
Willis had forgotten her mission, and
she said, "Oh, Doctor Hays, l like to
have forgotten my errand. There is a
poor little boy in my room. whose
mother is dying. He says there is no
one with her, and they have no food,
nor fire. Will you not go with him p
In her eagerness she walked up to him,
and the clear, dark eyes were plead
ingly raised to his own.
Certainly | will | could not re-
fuse; but if she Is dying, Willis, could
you not assist her more than |. Your
precious unbelief does not prohibit
human kindness, eh ?"
Il have not yet surrendered the keys
of assent into the hands of any distinct
creed. mete out my actions accord
ing to my Judgment, which is not allied
with any belief, symbol, or system.
Opinion is the ruler of my being, and
quaint sentiment is the handmade. II
/ can render the dying woman any aid,
am ready and willing"
All those are immortal words fall
ing from the lips of mortals. II am
ready and willing" Coming from
woman, the words are set to music
divinely beautiful IL tells of fixed
frmness in execution, and constant
courage. Coming from the lips of stall
wart manhood, it gives hope and de-
termination to the world. 1t inspires
sinking aspiration, and brings disap-
pointed execution from the dust of
despair into the sunlight of renewed
purpose. Il am ready and willing"
All! they are golden, glittering words
in the vocabulary of life.
In that brief moment, with those
charmed words upon her lips, Willis
Waters was transformed in Horace
Hays opinion from an obdurate and
unfeeliDg woman into compassionate
friend. She stood before him now,
not a cynie of creeds, but a resolute,
charitable woman. A tumultuOus
struggle ragged in his bosom; love
fercely combating with past offenses.
He loved her. Why should she not
know it? How would atheism ever
interfere with their happiness? Was
she not noble, loving and good? Aye,
his heart pleaded wildly for her recep-
ton, but better judgment whispered
pantheism will poison the springs Of
gladness. No follower of Spinosa will
ever bring you happiness. Again the
hope of reformation arose, and an an
guished longing again seized his heart
to preserve her from impending de-
struction. She was so young, and so
fair to 90 down to the dread fate of the
unbeliever. The popular sin of the
universe had engulfed many in its
surg;ng waters. Men with silvered
hair, and furrowed brow had slipped at
the mysterious we'll and were now drift
ing in the broad sea of speculation,
filled with breakers and hidden rocks
of doubt. Matured women and state
" matrons, over whose head many
cycles had rolled, bowed low before
the grim prince but Willis was SC
Young for the devouring chill to have
crept on. The rare petals of under
standing were scarcely opened before
the stain of evil sullied their purity
The sacred songster of her soul who
had ever heep taught to MARBLE sweet
songs of praise had just begun his life
long anthem when, sickened by neglect
It's pure voice was silenced.
He was about to speak to her and
confess his love, when she pointed tC
; her door. There stood the little or
phan, with a dark look of agony tina
chilled their hearts. They had forgot
ten the little sufferer, and he now rost
before them like an accusing spirit
All! the moments that were fraugh
with interest to them swept over hi
heart with leaden feet.
oh! poor child, We must go will
him." she said.
Il will will be ready in few min
|. utes to accompany you"
She left him and walked up to he
, room. He donned oSsrcOat and fur
and paced the floor in restless man
ner until Willis came. The slende
figure was draped in a heavy water
proof and black vail was draw
/ closely around her face. They de
scended the stairs noiselessly, lest the
E should arouse the falaily, aud passes
t out into the wintry darkness. The.
t walked for several squares, and at las
!. the little fellow halted at low, mise
5 rable howell. He opened the rude doc
r and led the way in. There, on
scanty bed, lay an emaciated woman
: Her breath was drawn in labored gasT
q and on the sunken features was an ex
: preston Of horror. She raised he
: feeble hand when they drew near, an
: said brokenly. well, Doctor, l am al
: most gone. The thread Of life is wei