Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-01
CHAPTER X.
"a little nonsense now and then

Is rel1shed by the Wisest men"
Garter, please tell Major that 1
want the carriage at half past three, |"
Willis said as they arose from the din
ner table.
well, Willis, which is it, the beer
garden or the museum" he asked
saucily.
Il shall not tell you, you inquisitive
imp. You certainly have more curl
osity than any one l ever saw. You
are such an earnest devotee, you should
view the ruins of Baalbec, and inves-
tigate the origin of Homer. As for
any of my secrets, your predominating
attribute will never be gratifed by the
knowledge of them, mark that !" she
answered.
"Oh, | only wanted to say to you, if
it was the museum you intended visit
ing, that they received a huge, white
mouse yesterday, but not to be fright
ened, as it is perfectly harmless" +"
Hush your impudence, you verita-
BILE greenhorn.'
II say, Willis, be a good girl and
take me with you this EVENING""
II would, with pleasure, Carter, if l
had the remotest idea of attending
circus, or an ethiopian jubilee"
II am in earnest, Willis, we have
not had a good confidential chat in
about two weeks" he walked up to
her side and wound his arms tenderly
around her; she looked down into
his frank blue eyes and said, laughing
ly, Il am In no humor to listen to your
love-sick tales this evening"
"I'll listen to yours then," he said
cunningly.
Il thank my fate and God-mother
that / have none to tell, she answer
ed briefly.
She had never made the promised
visit to Clara, and she decided to go
this evening. While she was making
her toilet Ruth came in and said,
Give Clara my best love, and tell her
l would have come this evening, but
feel quite unwell; Willis you must
hurry back" she continued Needless
ly, throwing herself in an easy chair,
and fastening her large, clear eyes on
Willis, You know Lucca sings to-
night, and you must not miss the vocal
treat"
Have you an engagement Ruth p
Willis inquired.
Yes, Gerald is to accompany me,
why p"
Because l have none, and was
doubtful if father would attend"
There is Uncle Horace" she said
quickly.
"Why, my dear, the peerless Minice
will claim him."
Il doubt it" sneered Ruth.
well, if she doesn't l shall not in
trude myself upon his lordship, |
would forbear Lucca's warblings a
thousand years first"
Verify. you are becoming scrupu-
lously exact, and admirably ceremon-
ious that you will not allow my uncle
to escort you to the opera without a
previous engagement of three weeks.
Actually, Willis, your pride is becom-
ing a mockery."
IF the mockery prohibits my thrust
ing myself on a gentleman unsought
it is glorious one that | would fair
uphold forever" As she spoke, sht
abruptly quilted the room. She found
Clara at home, looking exceedingl!
thin and pale, her health had beer
{ impaired for several months, and tn,
ravages of disease was telling on th'
| form and face of the beautiful girl
/ She said she was much better, ant
hoped ere long to take her plac
among the pleasure seekers. She ha'
left the city the summer previous TO
) a fashionable watering place, willis
= there she went out from the heate'
ballroom down to the beach and con
, tracted a cold that came nigh termina
ting her young life. Willis still foun,
in her the warm impulsive nature tha
had characterized her when a schOo
r girl, and it seemed SO like the dear oil
! past to be with her, that the blue haz
I of twilight had settled over the cit
!. before she made her departure. A
$ she left the carriage and assembled tn
I steps she saw that there was an univer
sal hustle about the house she di
not stop to inquire the cause, bu
A hastily mounted the steps to her room
q She found her maid awaiting her, an
o she asked of her, who had arrived
o Mr.. Clifford's sister, Mrs. Lee, an
v her husband and sou, was the repl!
# Indeed, how long before suppe
: Oracle ?" said Willis.
" 81 am looking for the bell to rir
d every minute. Are you going to dre'
IS again?'
: NO, l believe not, you can get II
le out some fresh ruffs and that pea
'' spray for my hair.
, She wore a black grenadine thi
fitted her slender form perfectly. II
ID dusky hair was dressed in shinir
ID plaits and wound high on her hea
he She pinned delicate blonde ruff
er her throat, and as the finishing toue
lg she fastened the cleaning pearl spr;
tie among the jetty plaiss, and deseend'
ne to the drawing room. She was intr
W duccd to Mr.. Lee and his wife, al
L their son, Ludolph Lee. Willis IL
mediately recognized the resemblan
* between Mr.. Clifford and his sistt
H. the same open expression and fran
". ness of manner characterized eac
It. Belle Lee, nee Clifford, was Harr!
Id eldest sister, she had married bfore
re was grown and moved TO q dista
,r- State, the world had dealt prosperot
l." ly with her, she had but one child,