Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-10-19
LENA moRTON,s CHOICE.

er garden gliStening with early dew,
in which Lena Morton was tying
up vines and trimming shrubbery,
and looking beWitchingly pretty
under her broad garden hat. She
knew that he had come thus early
in the hope of engaging her to go
with him to this same party, and
she was sure he meant to tell her,
what, she knew well enough, that
she was dearer to him than any one
in the world and that it was his
hearts fondest wish that she would
cOnset to be mistress of his heSrt
and the little cottage home he had
lust built on his modest farm. Yet,
knowing this and liking Harry eX-
tremely well, she yet took pleasure
apparently very Raiceand innocent)
in replying:
"Why certainly am going. Mr..
Guy Lambert was here last
night to offer me d seat in that
splendid new phaetOn of his, behind
the dashing bays. i shall have a
glorious ride"
The young man tried to reflect
her delighted look and failed miser-
ably. He was really panied. Lena
knew he had intended to ask her
to 90 with him, why then, did she
accept Guys offer ? She had seemed
to favor his suit, and yet, here she
was encouraging this dashing young
stranger, whom she had known but
six weeks. Was she-his lovely,
pure-heaTted darling, a coquette, or
was she really captivated with the
snowy looks and graces Ofthis young
man, whom Harry knew to be lax
in morals and inclined to dissipated
habits.
The morning of the excursion
dawned bright and pleasant, and as
the blOOded bays of Guy Lambert
dashed up to the residence of Judge
Morton, Lena came out on the porch
dressed in a stylish walking suit
and dainty plumed hat.
Harry, riding by on horseback,
saw with a pang of jealous pain,
how she smiled into Guys face as
he took her hand to assist her to
a seat in the vehicle, and tuck the
afghan about her dress with tender
est care.
The road leading from the town
of L. to the Peaks of Otter is
very good until we ascend the main
base. About four miles from the
place known as "Big Spring" the
road became rugged, winding round
in a snake-like course, now hid in
some deep gorge, now winding
along upon the mountains edge
and presenting at every outward
turn a beautiful view of the country
below.
At one of these turns, Lena pro-
posed to rest awhile under the cool
shade and enjoy the beautiful view.
But Guy Lambert's eyes were not
upon the landscape; his eyes rest
ed on what to him was a fairer
sight, the fresh, fair face beside him.
The rich halle eyes, the soft, she'll
pink cheek was more beautiful than
rugged mountains.
She turned and caught his eye
and blushed scarlet.
"Why are you not looking at the
view" she said cOnfusedly, "and
it is beautiful"
"Not so beautiful as a nearer
view. In my case distance offers
no enchantment. The enchantment
is close beside me-"
81 think Mr.. Lambert's time
would be much better employed in
enjoying this fine scenery with me
instead of pouring such tiatttry into
my ears as he knows it is at all times
distaSteful to me-"
"Indeed, dear Lena" replied he
growing more tender toward the
little offended creature, ''yOu
wholly mistake my motive if you
for a moment think | mean fiattery.
No, Lena, l am no sycOphant. Be
lieve me, l love you above every
other thing earthly, nay more, am
ready to lay down my life for you.
And now say under the cool shade
and before this grand old scene, that
you will be the wife of Guy Lam
bert.
Their eyes met for a moment.
She was evidently sottening he
thought. Her fan was fast going to
destruction between her teeth, and
a beautiful bouquet of fiours-alas
where were they. Lena was little
confused. Lena confused? ? Strange
At last she found words and spoke
"I'll declare, Mr.. Lambert, if we
don't hurry on we will be too late
We have delayed too long already
Drive on your horses please"
''NO, you must answer me now
i must"
"You can if you WISH" said he
with his eyes looking straight into
hers.
She must answer one way or the
other she saw, and so she made
this proposition.
"If you will wait until we &C
upOn the peaks without mention
ing the subject again, ] will ans
Wer when we reach this very spOt
on our return"
GUYS face frightened. He knew
he had conquered and his vanity
was satisfied.
The whip cracked and away
dashed the spirited horses over the
rough road.
"When they reached the "Big
Spring" the party ahead had left
and were even then waving theil
handkerchief from the top of the
high old mountain. After refresh
ing themselves from the cool water,
of the spring, they proceeded rapid
IN on and were soon climbing the
steep mountain.
After much labor they reached
the top almost exhausted and joined
their friends. They crawled over
the tremendous rocks which seemed
to be piled upon one another by
some strange cOnvulsion of nature
50 nicely balanced are they. Reach
ing the very summit they stood anC
gazed in silent admiration upon one
of the most magnificent scenes thai
nature affords. Looking east the
vision takes in several countie.
rolled out in a vast panorama o
hills and fields, forests, towns anC
little hamlets with here and there
the sparkle of a river.
Away in the distance the eartf
seems to rise and blend with thu
sky.
Turning toward the west, thu
scene changes. Long chains o
mountains running parallel will
beautiful valleys, and winding
streams, and little villages between
The first range is the Blue Ridgt
and away beyond are seen the Al
leghany mountains raising thei
high tops above all.
Away towards the north are thu
House mountains, and near by TIL
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