Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-04-24
For the CHnosIcIx.
WILLIS WATERS.
BIZ HlIDA.
CHAPTER VII.

the tomb
To the soil where affection is ever in
bloom" $50
Weary of wandering through the
mouldering sepulchres of the past, we
will return to the bounding Lafayette,
and the happy june evening. This
was Willis Waters return after three
years absence in the institute of learn
ing. After her mothers death. she
had returned to school, and sought
books for companions. and embraced
knowledge as her idol. She had re-
mained there three years without Wis
iting the city. She Dad no inclination
to return to the spot where she had SO
prematurely drank earth's bitter
draughts. She had never forgotten
her sorrow. 1t was trife less haunt
ing than of old, but the grim mountain
was still there, throwingiis dim shadow
forever athwart her heart. She had
d
bound her pale brow with the laurel
wreath of the victor, but the heart she
could never mask. She was rather ca
ger now to see them all at home.
How they must be changed" she
thought to herself 7ss
Her father had Several times Leen
out to see her, and he had told her
how Ruth had developed into an ele-
CANT woman, and that Carter thought
himself quite a man and had wonder
fully improved in: witticism. Horace
Hays was rising physician with fine
practice. She too, was changed from
a school girls abruptness into pol
ished lady. The incipient pride so ap-
parent in childhood had developed in
to hauteur. She was not a beautiful,
but noble-looking woman. She
longed to see the loved ones at home.
yet was 10th to leave the Seminary and
the sweet associations around it. Ere
long the spires of the city appeared.
As the boat neared the shore her
thoughts few away to distant ne
eropolis where under the ivy and yio-
lets her gentle mother slept.
"Oh, if she were but here to meet
me-" she thought II would ask no
more. E
Now they had landed. and she
glanced over the crowd assembled on
the wharf. Her eyes fell upon an open
carriage, and she recognized in the
beautiful, stylish woman within 1t,
Ruth Clifford. She started below to
gather up her travelling bag and
parasol, when she heard a merry voice
behind her, "hold on there, Willis,
you can't give me the slip this time. :
She turned and saw Carter by her side.
The boys frank genial tones thrilled
her with pleasure and she bent down
ward and kissed him affectionately.
Il am so glad to see your merry Wis
age again, Carter" she said as they de-
scended tosthe cabin. saa3t
"Yes, it does seem SO, within sixty
miles of home fer three years, and ac-
tually refusing to make an anuualcall.
That was deuced sisterly, now wasn't
it2" he rejoined pleasantly. They
reached the carriage, and Willis was
lovingly received by Ruth. As they
sat waiting for Carter, who was attend
ing to the trunks, Willis noted how
superbly beautiful her companion was.
The sweet violet eyes were shaded by
long curling lashes. The mouth and
chin were faultlessly chiselled, but the
complexion, once so dazzlingly white,
was sallowed by dissipation. The win
ming charm of frankness and: truth
which had characterized her when a
girl still clung about her with its fas-
cinating power.
"Uncle Horace will be delighted at
your return. He likes you very much,
Willis" Ruth said as they sat wait
ing.
The words brought a crimson tide
to her cheeks. She thought OF him
now, as he stood by her dead mother
repeating the soothing words, L an
the resurrection and the life" Re-
membering vaguely his commanding
height, the low thrilling voice, and the
misty splendor of his blue eyes.
Il hardly remember him, she an
swered indifferently.
1t was with mingled feelings of palr
and iov that she ascended the marble
steps of her home. Everything spoke
to her of the past, which had fed
vanished. The same room that sh'
had occupied years before was agalI
assigned to her. That night, as the.
descended to the supper room, Rutl
wound her arms around her stated.
sister and said, II am so glad to have
YOU again with me. 1t seems SO lik'
the happy days that are gone. No'
shall never leave me again. L clam
YOU now for lifetime, that is IT one
our lords of creation does not creel
in with malignant grasp, and detacl
thee from my heart forever.
IF that is the only fear you have
YOU can rest assured of my angelI
presence for the remainder OF you
life. That is a mode of separation
too extremely remote to be considered
l shall never marry"
why, you incorrigible old fogy, 20
yeritable sister of charity-never mar
ry! why my darling, what do you liv
for?"
81 hope 1 live for something c
greater importance than your acknowI
edged lords of creation, she reptile
sneeringly.
The family had already assemble
when they entered, and DIR. Hays cam
forth to greet Willis.
I'VE are happy to welcome yo
home Miss Waters, he said in h
usual musical tone.
THANK you" she murmered brie