Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-07-17


sound came out to his ears.
"Ohi Carter. ] have broken my
beautiful porcelain vase. Just look
here, and my rale oxalis is crushed
and ruined"
The sweet blueeyes were bathed in
childish tears asshe raised them to
the face of her handsome, stalwart
brother. His, as usual, were brim-
ming with mirth, Ind free glad laugh
broke from his lips as he saw the tears
of grief at the los Of the dainty little
toy. Then assuming an air of gravity,
he said reprehensblys We'll, this is
the consequence If having your fash
ionably darkeued parlors. When you
are ushered into enc You can never tell
whether they are furnished Ia mode.
or contain kitchen table, butcher
knife and gridirons for ornaments. 1t
also puzzles fellow TO find seat in
such abominable darkness. / read an
account, yesterdas, Of gent who had
fallen victim % soaiziug custom.
He called to see a LADY who like your
self preferred darkness rather than
light As he entered the exquisite
little abode Of gloom, he essayed to
take seat, but the chair did not hap
pen to be near him. and he fell back
on the charity of a copious spittoon
which completely demolished his ap-
pearance for the evening. just note
its baleful effect. Now. suppose that
fellow had have been in borrowed
plumage, the prodigiousness of the
calamity would have been unbearable.
l do net wonder that the vase is broken.
| marvel that you did not upset the
piano in this Egyptian darkness"
His ludicrous simiies and the solem-
nifty with which he gave them made her
forget the loss and she laughed gaily
and said, mo /; 1 had been asleep, and
l don't believe | had my eyes open
good"
"Ohl yes; / understand now," con-
tinued Carter, ut was nap on the
Rip Van Winkle order"
II believe it could be mended don't
you, Carter?" said Ruth, holding up
the pieces.
"No, I don't think it ever can but
don't take it so to heart. little lady, "
he said passing his hand over the fair
sunny head. What can't be cured,
must be endured Where's Willis ?"
''She went out to Mr. Rays this after
noon to spend the night. She was
opposed to going. but Clara came by
for her and she could not refuse. l
have beautiful new duet, Carter /;
come let's practice it"
And they sat down together, those
two so firmly bound together by love
which was sacred in its intensity and
fathomless as eternity. One with q
love clinging and trustfi, which would
deem, sacrifice as gsisSif the joy be
reaped by her adcred brother-a tend
er, womanly love which welled up from
the depths of her heart and overfowed
in its sanctity and abundance. The
other was different love, perhaps as
pure in its instructive origin, yet
strangely deficient in the intensity of a
woman's. It was shielding, cherish
ing affection, which would have braved
taunts, sneers, aye, death, for its Idol 8
sake-a love legal and generous, but
with it all it is forever minus the yearu-
ing tenderness, and delicate sensibili-
ty which makes woman incompatible
and peerless. The alteration of the
female heart is dainty as an angels
and as lasting as Gods color
ing. There is no sweet emotion it does
not promulgate tis as candid as soil
less. A beautiful page of romance
uplifted for the reading of its chosen,
a dream unvailed, anu the exposition
of visionary trust. A woman's heart
devoid OF ideal iancies, IS barren
waste without fount. 1t gives to the
eye its sparkle, and lends to the lips a
happy smile. God pity the sufferer
who has been riven of the hope of a
glad future. Sunny years, June roses,
and glittering moons hold no charms
for her. Bereft of love-dreams, the
young heart grows saddened prema-
turely, and ight-hearted youth mocks
their melancholy, and when the noon
of life comes on they are far adown the
dim, gray hills ofage, with the rays of
destiny's luminary slanting pityingly
upon them.
There was select circle gathered
in the parlor at Mr.. Rays. Minice
Walker, Willis, and Clara, with Mr..
Lyman and Ralph. They had ex-
hausted music and games for amuse-
ment and were now sitting listless, and
a shade of ennui seemed to have fallen
on the bright flow of mirth. Clara,
with her usual promptness, proposed
that one of the party should tell
romance, and nominated Mr.. Lyman
as speaker. They all quickly assented
and clustered around the lawyer for
the story.
well, what shall be the nature OF
the story?" he asked with a nonplussed
expression.
Give us tragedy" they all chimed
"Oh no" pleaded Minice Walker
the flush paling from her fair, proud
brow, and the delicate fingers clasping
convulsively the arms of her chair,
For my sake, forbear."
well, choose yourself, Fred, y said
Ralph.
And select one with moral, please,
said Willis, speaking for the first
time.
II don't think | have one of that
description, Miss Willis. How would
you like one on the fidelity of love2 r.
He bent his eyes searchingly upon
her.