Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-01
For the CHRoN1cLr.
WILLIS WATERS.
BY HrLDA. g
CHAPTER TX.


how tenderly she loved himl Moth.
ing of human passion could equal in
its intensity thatp and holy affec-
ton.
Where is Willis ?" inquired Ruth
as she entered the supper room that
evening and observed that Willis
chair was vacant.
"She has very severe headache and
does not want any supper" her maid
replied.
'Oh, I am so sorry, / expected her
to accompany me to the ball this even
ing. Are you going, Uncle Horace !?
They say it is to be the grand ball of
the season"
mo, Ruth, | am sorry to say 1 can
not attend. l received note of invi-
tation elsewhere this evening. that /
do not think can honorably decline"
An amused smile played on his NOUS
tached lip.
Il am truly sorry that the demands
for your excellency are so numerous
that 1 cannot obtain single evening"
The violet eyes flashed scornfully.
He made no reply, and was silent
throughout the meal. As they left the
dining room and passed out on the
cool, latticed yerandah, he drew his
arm lovingly around Ruth and said,
well, pet. have concluded to give
less of my time tt. 1.-The public and more
to you, as 1 see your precious little
heart is overfowing with Jealousy. "
mo, Uncle Horace, / do not envy
your presence to any one but one, and
[ am certain-well you know my OBJ
jections there. Recapitulation would
do no good"
Neither do I desire it" he said,
"for can assure you it is anything
but pleasant. can ease your fears
there, Ruth, and tell you now that
Minice Walker and myself will never
be to each other more than we now
are. I fatter myself that | am we'll
initiated into her cunning schemes.
Only this evening gshe handed me this. "
He drew out the tinted note with its
subtle fragrance of wood violet. Il
could not betray lady's confidence by
reading it. but enough to know it is an
invitation to have me visit her this
evening, and note that you, darling,
would blush to read. When l am in
her society, she holds weird fascina-
ton over me that, do what Twill, l
cannot throw it off. She is fearfully
beautiful, and her loveliness moves
me. When am by her side and the
light of her golden. brown eyes is upon
me, I feel that life has no temptation
that could charm me from her. Before
you warned me | thought her angelic,
l saw no flaw on the perfect type. Now
for your penetration | congratulate
you. You restored my blindness to
sight. You arrested my footsteps on
the brink of fowery abyss which
would have hurled me into the ruins
of unrequited love. You are a rare
little woman, Ruth, and worth them
ALL" He kissed the che ~ lips, and
turned to leave her when she exclaim-
ed, Say, Uncle Horace, won't you go
up and see Willis, and give her some
thing soothing. She suffers so intense
ly with those miserable headaches" ]"
Really, Ruth, l don't think Willis
would like it. She is SO eccentric you
know"
"Oh we'll, you slip up and 60 in un-
announced, and with those syren tones
of yours tell her you have brought her
an antidote. I'll vouch for its accept
ance." She ran carelessly up the steps
trilling an opera air. She left her un-
Gle leaning against the balustrade,
leisurely putting cigar. When she
reached the upper hall she called down.
Uncle Horace, you can leave your ci-
gar behind when you go up to Willis
room. I do not imagine its fragrance
would be beneficial to headache" T"
Attend to your own affairs, frisk,
and let mine alone" he answered
pleasantly.
He stood some time on the stool OF
meditation. Should he go up or mott
He understood well Willis proud in
dependent nature, knew that she would
suffer death before she would ask his
aid. He wished to treat her as he did
Ruth with freedom aud fondness, bul
he soon found out that his course to-
| ward her would have to be of studied
politeness and tempered affection
From the first time he had ever seer
her he felt her strength of character
He knew that she was brilliant anC
unyielding. He had seen her at ;
death-bed, and under favorable aus
pices to bring forth the latent gracei
| of her heart. Yes, he had seen her IL
grief and by that shadowed light hat
discovered charms of character per
haps hidden to all other eyes. He alsC
knew she was honest in her unbe
lief. and was earnestly searching TO
truth. Alas rest and sight she viii
never find until she has planted he
trust under the banner of lmmanuel
He slowly mounted the steps AM
stood at her door. Should he knock
Ruth had said not. Ignoring etiquett
and acting from her advice, he turne,
the knob and entered. The pictur
that met his eye was very pleasin
one.
She was reclining on a crimson sofa
and was in a restless, unquiet slunbel
The raven hair was unbound, and fe
in rich luxuriance around her form
The features were pale as parian mai
: Bile, and the jetty lashes vividly con
trasted with its pallor. One slende
hand supported her head, and tn
other drooped waxen-like over tt
side of the couch. She had donned