Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-08

tlred you out, MI. Omlth, SAID Dlrs.
Jennings.
And Smith sighed, and said, No,
not at al" ,-s.t.
But he kept very quiet all the same !;
and when we went off together, about
twelve, there was hardly word spoken
on the way TO our chambers.
| saw Smith again and again during
the next two months, and could not
help remarking that a change hadcome
over him.
Its your liver, l think old fellow, 4"
| said; "let me write you prescrip-
tion?'
No, no, he said, lit isn't my liver,
| IN as well as can be.
| shook my head. But as he did not
seem disposed to give me his conf
dence, did not press him; and time
slipped on, with the poor fellow grow
ing more quiet day by day.
| think [ told you Smith was an ar
fist. He was; but in a diLettdRte kind
of way. lie was a barrister by rights :;
but he did not get any briefs, and he
did not want any, but spent his time
writing smart little articles and GERS de
Societe for a Yell-knOwn magazine.
Smiths chambers were 10 the Tenn
pie. up It the top of one of the ranges Of
buildings, where he could enjoy a cap
ital view Of the river and embankment ;;
and many were the pleasant evenings
we had spent there together.
1t happened one day during the pres
ent autumn, that being by Temple Bar,
| encountered a couple Of ladies turn
ing up the one sided remains of Bell
yard. and one of them asked me if
that was the way into the Temple. |
FASTENED to set them right, and then |
recollected that the chrysanthemums
were on show.
Well" said, "Ill go and have a
look at them for once myself"
And | crossed the road, and had
good look at the said, autumnal plants,
which, gaily as they are colored, have
an air of Funeral state, and look solemn,
aud smell strangely, as if they were
collected to decorate the obsequics Of
the dying year.
| had finished my inspection, when
ildliU, DobDyi odlH 81 CuSClg NOlCSi
where are you going
Il was just going to see Smith, | re-
piled, shaking Jennings heartily by
the hand.
Here's the wife and Jenny here"
he said and the next moment | was
paying my court to the ladies, and
talking of the flowers, ending by say
ing that the fair,st one was there in
the form of Miss Jenny.
u say" said Jennings, let's go and
storm Smith"
"Oh, no, Tom" began Jenny.
"Why not p said Jennings. He'll
be delighted to see us-won't he Dob
BY 2"
3 few minutes afterward we were climb
ing the cold stone stairs of Chancel-
lor's buildings, and passing dismal oak
doors. ... .........
As [ neared the top foor-for | was
sent on first, by way of a pioneer-l
became aware of the fact that the door
was ajar, and heard Smith voice; but,
as he was evidently repeating some
thing to himself as If learning it, |
had no hesitation in listening, especi-
ally as we were such old friends. But
[ paused on the threshould, for this is
what met my eye:
Smith, in a short jacketa and slippers.
was kneeling on the carpet before an
easy chair, in which he had stuck the
boster from his bed, and on the top OF
it was his Smoking-ca with its long
tassel .....
Amateur theatricals," | said to my
self" rehearsal
But the next moment [ was dumb |
with establishment, for Smith went
on
Dearest Miss Grey, since the first
night when | bcheld you at your sis
ter's house, | have madly, passionate
ly loved you. Here, then, kneeling at |
your feet, | make yog the offer Of my |
heart and hand"
That isn't so bad" he muttered.
Lets try again"
And so intent was he that he did not |
hear the fresh steps on the landing, !
while | maliciously allowed Jennings |
to lead Miss Jenny close to where | |
stood, when | held her hand, and let
her listen as the poor feYow went on
Dearest Miss Grey, since the first
night when | b, held you at your sis
ter 5 hous ., have madly, passionate
ly loved you. Here, then, kueeling at
your feet, | make you the offer of. my
heart and hand.
Bravo, Smithv." | said. throwing
open the door. That's pretty perfect.
Now go through it again with the lady"
I'm afraid II was rather malicious,
though it may have been some wicked I
imp prompting me. At all events, |
did the deed and those two looked at
me as if they wished 10 crush me out
of existence, while Jennings roared
with laughter, and Mrs. j. said it was
a great shame.
Little Jenny was very indignant, but
she carried If off well; and as soon as
Smith had got over the surprise, he
knoe ked the bolster off the chairsand
tried to seat Mrs Jennings in it. But
Jennings was too quick, and popped
the little sister there, to her infinite
confusion.
We had refreshments and pleasant
chat, during which | said to Smith
Don't look like that, man. when l
brought the real thing there 81
| saw it plainly enough now-evni.
al Smith had been most desperately
gone with Jenny, who liked him too:
put. after the fashion of some Young
aides, snubbed him and kept him at
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