Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-07-03

4 JOo--c. 1900 >--t " S--< NO8 = ~ - y
maturely to matchless coral domes,
All could the deep sea but whisper
its secrets to Us, it would blanch the
cheek and appall US with its unmiti-
gated tales Of suferings. Yes. it could
tell to Willis Waters q secret that
would crush all springs of gladness for
eternity, that would doom her to life
of shadow, and . fate as sunless as the
regions of Tartarus.a Aye. it is better
thus. He doeth all things we'll"
Ludolph Lee and Horace Hays. that
starry Spring night, on the deep blue
sea, were thinking and talking ofhome.
Ahl how naturally when far from our
native homes do our thoughts revert to
the past which held both thorns and
flowers. 1t rushes up bringing mul-
titude ofdarling thoughts. gliding each
act with the knowledge that it is gone
forever. They were speaking Of the
night Of their departure, the party and
things in general. At last Ludolph
remarked ss.
Il wish could hear Willis sing to-
night. Hervoice rivals Parepa Rosa 1, /,
eh, Horace?" -.
Yes, / admire her voice extrava-
gantly but she has other attributes
which elicit more genuine esteem than
her voice. That was gift independ-
ent of exertion."
Her charity, for instance but, by
the way, did you know Willis was
rather skeptical in her views p he
asked casually.
Yes, l know she is unsettled in
many things. and her investigating in
tellect has wandered too far in the be-
wildering gloom Of ontology, but how
came you to know it?" he asked, fix
ing his clear honest eyes on his CON-
panion. ts -
Il learned il by accident one night.
Now understand me, she did not con-
fde it to me. Again. l believe Willis
is something of q misanthrope," he
said. returning the gaze with deliber-
ate intentness. 49, -. sa.....,s
1T is simply not SO. sir" returned
Horace, bringing his foot from the
railing to the floor with angry en-
phasis. willis Waters is done more
injustice than any woman in America,
and it is just because her intellect
sweeps and sways everything with
which it comes in contact, leaving in
its train envy and malignant jealousy"
As he ceased, the blue eyes wandered
far out on the star-studded deep.
"That is pretty broad assertion,
which 1 am glad to say does not apply
to myself. / acknowledge Willis
proud and enviable attainments. and
admire her quite as much as you dol
suppose. He ceased speaking, and
for a moment there was perfect silence.
willis scorns duplicity," Horace
continued, 'she is singularly honest
herself and she expects it in others,
but when she fails to find such in a
person. she is then rigidly misanthrop-
ical. A man of truth and fidelity will
always indin Willis Waters sanction
ing admirer." His thoughts few back
to the brilliant ballroom when she
deliberately turned her back upon
Gerald Ripley because of his falsity.
sighted him publicly and witheringly,
in the face of his adoring friends,
scorned him before a multitude, be-
cause she deemed him unworthy.
Some one lightly touched his should
er, and he turned quickly around.
There stood before him tail, slender
woman, robed iu deep mourning. The
white face was sad, and suffering. and
the moonlight falling on the raven hair
showed how closely it was sprinkled
with silver shreds. There was a non-
chalant, courtly grace about her that
reminded him of one far away in the
heart of pulsing city. The hand
that rested upon his shoulder was
delicate and white, and upon the slend-
er forefnger cleaned an exquisite
cameo with glittering emerald eyes.
He started back and gazed again; that
certainly was Willis ring. He had
never seen but one like it. The de-
sign and pattern were so strangely
odd.
While he was meditating. she said,
Pardon me. sir, but did l not hear
you mention the name Waters ?"
There was an eager, wistful look on
the clearly cut features.
Yes; 1 was speaking of friend of
mine, Miss Willis Waters. Perhaps
you know something of her relatives"
he replied.
Perhaps So" she murmured DREAM
lily; then as if forgetting all things she
gazed listlessly out on'the bright waste
of water enthralled by the faint music
of the rocking waves.
Horace Hays studied her features
closely. Each was clearly cut and de-
cisive. The brow was square and
massive, and the cheeks, though sunk |
en-, still bore signs of perished beauty.
The eyes were dark and scintillating,
and the thin lips bore an expression
of naughty reserve. The dark hair
was thick with strands of silver, and !
the whole face was one glare of pallor.
As be sat watching her face, she
again said. May | trouble you to tell
me something of this Willis Waters? p
with pleasure" he replied court
eously. Pray be seated" ,
He offered her his chair, which she
rejected and leaned YEARLY against a
small column. He did not take the
seat either. but stood before her in the
as if proud of his matchless
form, and handsome, radiant features.
WELL he said slowly, ito begiu.
Willis father was a sailor until about
the age of thirty five. when he gave up