The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-08-01

whlte.'
Part of the people at the table looked
serious, part were amused, Among the
latter was Redmond. His eyes twinkled
with suppressed amusement, but he con.
cealed it. Blanche and Louise had been
interested listeners to the narrative,
growing somewhat dignifed by the dis.
cussion at the dinner table.
You see how much foundation lies
beneath this apparently idle gossip, |
believe discretion is the better part of
valor on our part"
Louise, from under her long lsshes,
shot withering glance at the man who
loved her, but did not deign an answer.
She could not make out this man. She
believed that sometimes she half despised
him.
al believe | shall take the stage for
Ashdale,' announced Redmond the next
afternoon, looking at his watch. "Have
a little busints, there to which | wish to
attend"
Louise flashed a quick glance from her
large dark eyes.
"What going to leave us to take care
of Yourselves" said Blanche. "We want
you to help buoy us up when the water
rises"
go! shall return tonight. Ihave no
idea of being absent from such an inter
esting adventure" he replied. "That is,
if can positively see the gentleman
am seeking Just five minutes. Good
afternoon, ladies'" and he bowed himself
out OF the room gracefully.
There | am not surprised at this
action on the part OF Redmond Clarke"
said Louise. :" He will not come back
here tonight. say, as I have said
before, he is coward"
Why, Louise, this move of his has
nothing to do with the superstitious tale
we have just heard"
81 believe it has" The secret desire
to think and believe high and lofty
things OF his name, drove her to sudden
anger at any suspicion of the opposite
Whoever knew one OF these blue-eyed
blonde-mustached men who had a spark
of true courage" and she looked any.
thing but feeble character herself a,
she paced the floor rapidly, her eyei
flashing Indignantly with the intensity
of passion to which she had wrough,
herself.
Take care" said Blanche, wamingly
in a low voice. You remember Hamil
ton Belmont saved my life at the risk o
his own. He was none of your heroic
looking men,"
"You will find that Redmond Clark
is not second Hamilton Belmont. If
could know for certainty that he raj
away from any danger, threatened o
real, should never again allow him t.
touch even my finger tips. sheult
feel so Inundated that such man hat
ever dared to ask for my love-"
"Don't judge too harshly-too hasti
ly," said her friend, gently. You kno,
that Redmond Clarke and Louise Ram
were fitted TO make each other happ
could the latter have the mists OF doub
cleared from her wilful eyes.
Clarke had really intended to retur
to the C0cassett House as he promised
but the gentleman whom he sought wa
absent, and the last stage left before hi
return.
Ashdale was primitive, unambitiou
town, Its only connection with th
great world was the regular stage. II
hills and valleys had never yet echoe
with the shrill whistle OF the locomotive
He paced backward and forward o.
the piszza of the quiet little hotel wher
he was to pass the night, under tn
poetic skies of a fine evening, thinkin
of Louise Rand. Her naughty imperi
BUSINESS had charm for him. lie smile,
to himself as he thought, "She will
thoroughly believe now what she sus
pected when left her, that | shoul,
not return tonight" He was proude
than she, There was depth beneatl
that indolent exterior she had no
sounded and because she had doubte,
him--she whom he lOved-he would no
deign to inconvenience himself to gai
her approval. A man with less inheren
haughtiness would have acted dii
fereutly.
He retired early and was soon in
deep slumber. 1t did not prove refresh
ing. A feverish, restless dream wreathe
in and out OF his brain. He saw Louis
suspended over waste of water cling
ing to something that threatened ever
moment to snap with her weight, an
she engulfed forever. Then the seen
shifted, and he saw as plainly as il
were reality the building where he ha
LETT her enveloped in flame, and amid tn
cries of frantic men and women, Louis
in her white night robe at a windo,
where the flames we're rapidly cosin
round her, reaching out to him with will
shrieks for help. He woke with tn
agony OF the scence. Preparation ws
starting from every pore. He spran
out of the bed and threw up window
The night was sweet and fair as when
retired, with the added glory of the fu
moor, in the fuller light Of which ii
stars were paling their modest brigh
ness. Over the lanscape were fur
lengthening, sleeping shadows of tall tree
shrubbery, and home.like cottages
their inclosure.
The scene Gained, sobered him, bl
did not dissolve the hurried impressic
OF danger. Was his dream a warning
He tried to smile and put it away as Il
offspring OF a diseased Imagination. b,
the vivid horror Of the scene stood befo
bis vision with too much OF reality, al
he turned to dres, with quick, nervor
haste. The moon shone directly into
room and its light was all sufficient.
was only four miles from Woodville.
could walk that distance, He could n
rest with this horrible impression up,
bim-something might be even nc
happening He let himself out moi .eles.
at the front door, and commenced
rapid walk. The church clock toll
the hOur-twelve. He would rea
there in less than an hour. What it
should find his dream realized He "
good walker, and the distance betwe
him and Woodvile rapidly lessened.