Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-10-04

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keep back her sob. What have
70 lIveforP
Her lips quivered painfully. She
had known 50 much sorrow IN her
young life. The first memory Of
her childhood was ~ Oid-fashioned
room, with bay-wind0w overlook
ing stately lawn.
In this enbrasure she had spent
wears. The piano was there, and
Tor years each day she had sat I'm
Oering the keys, until at last music
became her friend and companion,
dearly loved and cherished.
She had distinct memory Of her
father-a pale, thin man, dying
slowly but surely Of consumption.
Her mother, too, WIS ever present
to her remembrance proud, fierce
woman, Jealous even Of her only
child. Tie mad love 81 her mother
for her husband left 40 room in her
heart for Edith.
The Jealous dead watch wore her
out. 4
In this terrible wrestle with the
grim foe she was beaten, and six
months after Edith's father was In
lier grave, her mother followed
him.
And then Il became known that
Mr.. Lynd rad lived far beyond his
income for years before his death.
His creditors Taved and stormed.
WHAT they could do they did. Ev-
cry tiny mOrsel OF property tiiey
took from his child.
frightened and wretched, Edith
turned TO the only friend she had ~
the world.
This was her fathers old compan-
ion, Mr.. Carruthers. Money there
was none. Her mother had ex-
hausted every resource after her
fathers death.
Thanks to Mr.. Carruther's, Edith
obtained situation In the family OF
Lady Lindsay, a poor but exceed
ingly proud Scotch lady with large
family Of gOod-lOOking daughters.
In her new home she might have
lived contentedly, If not happy, but
for her great beauty.
Lady Lindsay tried hard 10 keep
her i'm the background, and her
efforts were seconded by her daught-
ers but It was not to be done.
One more season had run its
course. and the hope of the house
had failed to fulfill the expectations
Of her scheming, worldly wise
mother.
A sore Of suffers had dangled
about her the whole season long.
During the hot summer nights,
peer and barOnet had attended Con
stance Lindsay, but neither one nor
the other had committed himself To
an open avOwal.
Proud-some evil tongue had de-
clared ill-tcmpered-was Constance
Lindsay. For her mother had 30
charms, position no influence. She
yearned for love. pure and simple.
OF all those she had met, only
one had reached her ideal.
This was Sir George Holmes. lie
had been the lion Of the season, for
he had proved himself to be a brave
and daring man.
Tall. dark, full-bearded, with
deep gray eyes, a stalwaTt, hand
some frame, a restless, wearied |
manner; such was Sir George
HOLMES.
Constance Lindsay had snubbed
him numerically the whole season /
through. Still he had chung to her,
and his gentle respect had touched
her heart.
lie was to come down for the
shooting season, and Constance
looked forward to the first days OF
September with a passionate long
ing. i
As the time grew nearer and
nearer, sine grew more and more
Deevish and irritable. OF all the
household, Edith felt it the most.
1t was too hot To- walk or ride,
and 80 music was the sole Occupa-
ton Of Constance; and il was during
one Of her exercises that she spoke
very harsh To- Edith. Edith resented
that, and "A high quarrel between
the two girls was the result.
Edith had the best Of it, for Con-
stance had abused her position, and
she felt ashamed Of herself.
But this was unknown to Edith,
who could but wonder why such
things should be, and sob out her
broken sentences in the solitude Of
her chamber.
And this was why Edith Lynd
cried out in anguish Of spirit that
she "Wished she were dead"
The first Of September arrived.
In a country house ii is a great day
Of the year.
Sir George Holmes felt this in no
ordinary degree. He loved the
country. For him she woodland
and lawn had extraordinary attrac-
tiOns.
He stood on the lawn this bright
September morning, looking over
the broad meadows.
Suddenly the bushes were divided
and a huge mastifi sprang through
with a Joyous bark
"DOWn, Ctfsar-dOwnl Where
are your manners, you bad fellow"
cried a silvery young voice. Come
10 me this instant, sir"'
The noble hound crOuched down,
yvagging his tail, and looked back
with a penitent glance in his great
brown eyes.
Sir George followed the glance.
A dark, beautiful girl stood before
him.
Her lap was full Of autumn ber-
ries and flowers, some OF which she
dropped "a she started back in sur
prise. Sir George took of his hat
and bowed.
81 am sorry to have startled you"
he said. "Permit me-"
He stopped and picked up the
flowers, holding one little branch Of
red berries in his hand.
II presume you are a guest Of Sir
james Lindsay" he said, Though
have not been Introduced to you?
VIII you permit me to introduce
myself? My name is George
Holmes"
And mine is Edith Lynd. i am
not "A guest. / am gOverness to Sir
JameS' daughters"
81 am charmed TO know you,
Miss Lynd, !" said Sir George, snil-
ing. "Ah, there j. the breakfast
bell. Will Cesar allow me to be
your escort, think you 20
"Thank you; but j would rather
return alone. / do not breakfast
with the family when-when there
is company" faltered Edith, in
half laughing, half embarrassed
fashion. "Harzi They are calling
you, Sir George. / should never
forgive myself if I detained you
moment longer"
"NOr me, 1 suppO@e2'' he ques-
toned, laughingly.
IL. "A. 4