Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-01

fathers death, inherit large fortune
They owned lovely country residenc,
| down among the mountains, and they
spent the greater portion Of their time
there. Ruth had written to her aun,
| of her fathers declining health. and
she came up Immediately. She had
known Willis mother when she was 6
curly-headed child, had often taken
her upon her knee and listened to her
innocent prattling, now she received
her orphan with warmth and affection.
Ludolph Lee very much resembled
Harry Clifford in his prime, tall and
splendidly developed, with dark, curl
ing hair and black, laughing eyes.
Willis had often heard Ruth remark
THAT Cousin Ludolph was the prince
of good looks" and now she indorsed
her opinion. He also possessed dis
tinguished appearance that made him
lordly in any throng. After tea, Mr..
and Mrs. Lee decided that they would
not attend the concert, as they were
wearied and exhausted by travel.
Gerald Ripley called for Ruth, so
Carter, Ludolph and Willis had whole
possession of the carriage. DR.. Hays
had been summoned several miles in
the country and had not returned to
supper. As they drove swiftly along
Ludolph said. Miss Waters. they say
we are related, if so, this barrier of
coldness must melt away, and our kin
dred rights be established Immediate
ly, what do you say?"
"Oh, l am perfectly willing" she
replied, charmed by his frankness.
Let me congratulate you, Ludolph,
you have adopted cousin that will
not speak to you once n month, and
then she will make you believe that
the English language had been sudden
ly transformed into sauer-kraut," said
Carter, cunningly.
"0h dry up, Carter. know how to
take your exaggerations. Cousin Willis
and myself are going to be the best of
friends, and none ofyour impertinence
can hinder it. Do you understand
that, you budding sample of young
America"
Willis laughed heartily at the good
natured thrusts, and said, Now I'll
tell you what is the matter with Carter,
he is inceused with me because / will
not torture myself by listening to his
love-secrets every week. The carriage
stopped and they alighted. As Willis
took her seat she glanced quickly over
the audience, her eyes fell on Minice
Walker, and she observed foreigner
at her side. A satisfied expression
fitted over her pale features, and she
fixed her eyes proudly on the stage.
Lucca was never more enhancing, and
as the silvery carols rippled forth,
Willis, who was passionately fond of
music, sat mute and spell-bound, she
was with Lueca's voice, high high
among regions of melody. and did not
notice that Horace Hays had entered
her box. He watched her closely as
she sat with parted lips and flushed
brow; her clear, dark eyes fixed with
rapture on thequeen of song, oblivious
of all, save Lucca and bliss. AS she
retired from the stage, Willis awoke
from her trance and glanced around /;
she was not aware of Horace's pres
ence until this moment, and a glad
smile lit up her face as she caught his
eye. "Oh, sir. isn't she glorious" she
exclaimed breathlessly.
"Yes, and l think you appreciate
her, Willis"
The sound of his musical voice
caused a crimson tide to ebb up to her
cheeks.
Garter, / wish to return in the
carriage, will there be room ?"
Il doubt it, with two such import
ant specimens of humanity as Ludolph
and Willis" he replied, and his blue
eyes twinkled mischievously.
TO BE CONTINUED.