Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-09-04
4 sILvKR-LISED CLOUD.
BY GRACE THORNTON.

L Dt da3CE 4 IhOhNIUE.
Egbert Walton sat alone in hi
: counting house. He had locked tn
door, to prevent intrusion, and tn
busy movements Of his clerks outsid
game to. his ear faintsy, as he sat wit
his head buried in his hands, and a
expression Of abject misery markin
his handsome face.
be had learned, within that hour
that he was a ruined man, and the con
sciousness had burst upon him Will
stunning horror, for he was no
alone to suffer.
But three months before, ne had lie,
to the altar the most beautiful and ca
prieious belle Of the season. He has
been congratulated and envied by |
acquaintances, and after fashionabl,
wedding tour, wherein her marvelou
trousseau was displayed to It's best ad
vantange, they had returned to tn,
showy and splendid home he had fit
led up for their reception, and rounC
of gaieties had followed, in which she
had; shone the queen, and he had beer
considered the luckiest of bride
grooms.
Their life had been so filed with
display and excitement heretofore thai
they really had not had much time tC
grow acquainted with each other. They
had scarcely ever spent an evening
alone together. The hours he could
spare from business had been occupied
in dressing for various entertainments
the chief enjoyment of which had been,
to him, to hear his wife called the
handsomest woman present; and even
that delight had begun to pale, and q
vague longing for something better
than dazzle and show had begun to as
sert itself within his mind.
Dora had been an orphan, brought
up by fashionable aunt, with expen-
siye tastes and a passion for gay society.
She had brought Egbert no fortune
beyond the trife saved from her snowy
education, which, her aunt said, would
serve as pin money for the first year OF
two; but that was no consideration to
the rich and generous young husband,
whose prosperous business specula-
tons promised soon to make him a
| millionaire. -a7f
Now all was lost. A cloud, at first
no larger than a mans hand, had
spread into a hurricane of desolation
and despair.
A whisper of suspension, on the part
of a great banking house with which
he was deeply concerned, had swelled
4 into n0Stfivo aoouroooa x,,.,l H. Lo..-
His investments were widely spread,
and boldly ventured; there was no
possibility of a recall. The crash could
not be resisted-the blow must and did
fall.
Only for Dora" he muttered to
himself, as he raised his ghostly white
face from its dropping position, and
flung back his damp hair, Il could
meet it like man-only for her I"
He recalled her butterhy-life of
gaiety and splendor-her passion for
excitement and admiration; and then
shuddered to face the dreary reality
before them.
If she were a widow, she would
marry again. There are other fortunes
that may be hers. if you will make her
free" whispered the tempter, and .Eg-
berts despairing eyes glanced toward
the pistol-case hidden in his desk.
He sprang up and locked it quickly.
He would not entertain so base and
cowardly thought.
1t must be done, sooner or later"
he said, decidedly. 'She must know
it, and it is cruel to let it reach her
through any means but mine"
He composed his face, and passed
out among his employees, looking but
little shaken, except in his loss of
color, and they whispered among each
other how we'll he bore it.
He walked toward home, and as he
entered its elegant hall, his wife passed
him, with . rich lace shawl thrown
over her shoulders.
You are just in time to see perfect
gen" she cried. gaily. Come back
into the parlor. where l can display it
to better advantage See-is is not
rarely beautiful? The Blanks import
ed it expressly to my order" i1.al
Vain and frivolous, " was hisiuward
eomment, as he turned aside with a
look of wretchedness, and thought /:
What shall | do? How can | break
such tidings to so unthinking being
such spoiled darling of fortune 2"
You are out of humor, it seems, ("
she said, with gaze of cold surprise,
| for his manner had piqued her, and
she was too accustomed to adultation
! to hrook NEGLECT tamalv
He did not answer at first, but flung
himself into seat, and cast down his
eyes upon the rich carpet.
Is this whim, or is it meant to
pain and annoy me? she asked,
proudly. 1ss.-..-f..
Her tone stung her harassed hus-
band; he had meant to spare her to
the utmost, but her lofty Indifference
overcame his resolution.
She swept past him with an offend
| ed air, but pausing at the door, she
| turned. and looking full upon him,
asked, once more: .'17g
will you explain what caprice has
seized you, and why You play off sever
ity and gloom upon me 2"
Yes, [ will explain |" he exclaim-
ed, sprlnging to his feet, with white
lips anu shaking form. Since you
demand to know, let me tell you that
1t means rulu-utter, entire, complete
ruin! [ was a rich man wien mar
ried you, Dora, and to-day | am beg
gar. Not one cent that | called my
own can be claimed by me any Longer.
The roof over our heads now belongs
to strangers, and we must go forth
homeless and pennness, to begin the
world again.
He spoke as he felt, in high, excit-
ed key; his frame shook with the fer
y0r OF his words. r-
His wife stood gazing full in his eyes
for moment, like one rooted to the
spot by powerful SPELL i9.rl
Her face lost all Of its color, and
her eyes dilated widely, as if to take
in scene impossible Of belief.
Is this true?" she uttered, and her
voice sounded low and husky.
TOO true-?n he returned, burying
his face in his hands.
/! She sank into a chair and taking off
the splendid shawl mechanically.
carefully returned it to its original
folds. Then she sat still. looking
steadily before her with blank stare.
Once or twice Egbert looked up ex-
pectantly and uneasily, but there was
no change 10 her expression, aud his
eyes dropped again.
At length be rose, and going toward
! her, put his arm arm around her neck.
and bent over her in sad affection, to
which she offered no response.
Il wish to heaven the blow could
have fallen on me alone :" he MUIR
| mured II feel that 4 hara IrrnnR--