Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-07-10

careiessly back from his high, whit
brow. and the large expressive darl
eyes seemed to be looking upon Willi
with a wealth of tenderness. Th
waving beard concealed the conteuro
the chin, but the lips. like Willis
we're classically chiselled. How he
mother must have worshipped him
she thought, How kingly he seemed
in her >anointed vision. Peerless il
form, and features, he appeared to hel
with priceless characteristics of minG
commensurate. He was so noble, Sc
honorable, SO far above any man she
had ever associated with. Ali coulC
she but know the truth and realize
that her father whom she held a,
sacred was an unloved husband, il
would bow her proud head to the ashe.
of earth. Her father. her minds
model, to escape home diseord, hat
sought the ocean wave, and tomb il
the deep. That secret none knew but
Harry Clifford, and he would never
betray the trust of the dead so hap.
PLY for Willis grief-vexed heart, that
knowledge she would never have.
Ralph Ray was assiduous in his at.
tention to Ruth. She admired Ralph
but some how she had never become
entirely disentangled from the wiles Of
Gerald Ripley. He would occasional
ly fash across her pathway and make
her to feel that the ghost of departed
joys had returned to haunt her. She
knew Ralph Ray was generous and
honorable, whilst her former admirer
was an intriguing wretch but, aye,
the knowledge was useless. Who can
teach the stars brighter light to shedf
and who can paint the lily a more
pallid beauty? He who has attained
such power can give to the heart new
futter of second love. fs.Isb
Willis still sat gazing at her father
portrait when the door was uncere-
moniously opened and Ruth walked
in. How do you feel now. WillisY'
she asked tenderly. ID Ndaisair.o
Better, thank you." she answered
briefly. ails 10 asi1siia7sq s g 8
''One of those annoying head aches
again" said Ruth, passing her hand
lovingly over Willis corrugated brow.
"No only a sense Of extreme wear
iness. / feel it always, but sometimes
more forcibly than at others. / believe
I am on the brink of dangerous i'll
ness, and I am alarmed about it.
She spoke slowly nd with uneven
breath. Ruth sank down by her side
and threw her arms around the wasted
form. She had noticed her indisposi-
ton for sometime, and wanted to sum-
mon medical aid, but Willis would
not hear to it. Now she saw that
must be done. or deaths
touch would sweep her down to an
early grave. The hand that she held
was wasted and burning. and on the
sallow cheeks glowed two crimson
spots.
oh! Willis, something must be done
for you. You are i'll now, fearfully i'll.
Let me send for Doctor Andrew before
it is too late." q $50 oi a..4s
With habitual colduess, she flung
of the loving embrace and said. Mon
sense. I will be better tomorrow. l
know -" She was interrupted by a
servant announcing Mr.. Ray.
Ruth went down to the parlor, leav-
ing Willis again to her reverie. She
at last concluded to go down to Mr..
and see if he knew anything
of her fathers past history. As she
passed the parlordoor she heard Ruth's'
clear voice singing, IN so happy thou
art near" and she wondered if she had
forgotten the man she once so fondly
owed. fit is so that we can love fifty
DR. an hundred during lifetime, gen.
line affection is humbug, and love is
/ lottery. Draw whom we may we can
owe them. 1t does not matter if they
ire possessed of fignominiops traits, our
susceptible hearts can overcome all
hat and love. What a blank, miser-
lble theory, insulting to loves purity
md derogatory to its votaries. A
speculation that throws doubt on
natrimony's sacred pledge. and shad-
,ws with its baleful teaching dream
ng universe. Love once is eternal
owe. The beautiful something in life
hat crowns womanhood, and gives to
nan the armor of honor. 1t visits
7outh with its virgin chastity and
,lings to the heart till the life-throb is
FER. If Ruth Clifford once loved
Ierald Ripley, she will love him through
Ill time and eternity. No matter how
he proves or how degraded
Ind neglected by the world he may be
he can never forget him. The world
may eulogize Ralph Ray, but twill
all in her heart as withered leaves,
fare blossom with the perfume ex-
,racted, songless bird, and sapless
,ak. 1 steadfastly hold that we have
Dut one love through life-a love which
beggars words and shames metaphysic
vita love heayen-born, that ends not
With heaven, but which, among seraphic
clamors for rennion. 1t is
he embryo bud on earth which in
heavens fair cline will blossom into
perfection-a neglected sea shell that
will be cleansed of dross, and in pink
md pearl radiance deck the river of
i;e-a golden throated bird silenced
On earth, but which in the hereafter
will warble the plaintiye air OF eternal
Iove-a fair frail something here that
the rough winds and rude blasts in
vain strive to crush, but which lives
in defiance to the most studied opposi-
ton. They may hurl It into dark
depths, where it will remain unseen
during life's little day, but when the