Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-03-20
mstrimony. Helauehed at me. But there

IL a0 IduAuOd AZ HOs Ouk tu0Fo
no mistake about it. Catch me to give up
my freedom and provide for family-,be
pestered with q whole string of new con-
nections, when / can't bear those I have
now-Hever have moment to myself
be obliged to get up in the night fox a
doctor-have to pay for boys schooling
and be plagued to death for my pains-be
bothered constantly with bad servants
see my wife lose her beauty in gear from
care-my goddess become a household
drudge-glve up cigars keep precise
hours-tase care of sick cbildrenEgo to
market-neverf never! neverl'
AS his reverie thus emphatically termir
mated, Mcneil slowly raised mself to a
sitting posture, in order to ascertain the
state oflhe weather, when 81 ght presen ted
itself which at once put his philosophy to
fight and startled him from his com posure
He did not cry out, but hushed his very
bre tn. Beside him lay a female form in
profound slumber. Her hair had escaped
from its confinement and lay in the richest
profusion around her face There was a
delicate glow upon the cheeks The lips
were scarcely parted. The brow was per-
fectly serene. One arm was thrust under
her head, the other lay stretched upon the
coverlid. 1t was one of those accidental
attitudes which sculptors love to embOdy.
The bosom heaved regularly. One felt that
it was the slumber of an inn; cent creature.
and beneath that calm breast beat kind y
and pure heart. Mcneil bent over this
vision, for 80 at first it seemed to him, as
did Narcissus over the crytal water. The
peaceful beauty of that face entered his
very soul. He trembled at the still regu
larity of the long, dark eye-lashes, as II 1t
were death persOnlhed.
Recovering himself, all at once some
thing familiar struck him in The counter
ance. He thought awhile, and the whole
mystery was solved. They occupied the
stairs in the night to procure something
for the invalid, and, on returning, entered
in the darkness the wrong room, AZ d
fancying her mother asleep, had very
quietly taken her place beside her, and
was soon lost in slumber. Ms sooner did
this idea take possession of Mcneil than
with the utmost caution and moi eless
movement he removed every vestige of his
presence into q vacant apartment opposite,
leaving the fair intruder to suppose she
alone had occupied the room. at break
fast he observed the mother and daugh Inter
whisper and smile together, and soon as
certained that they had no suspicion Of the
actual state of the case. With the dolicscy
that bslonged to his character, Men ell
inwardly vowed to keep the secret forever
in his own breast.
Meanwhile, with much apparent MARTY
he prepared to accompany Jones to Lake
George His companion marveled to per-
ceivs this .unwonted gaiety wear off as
they proceeded in their ride. Mcneil be>
came silent and pensive. The evening was
fine, and they went upon the lake to enjoy
the moonlight. Jones sung bis best songs
and woke the echoes with his bugle. His
friend remained silent, wrapped in his
cloak, at the boats stern. At last. very
abruptly, he sprung up, and ordered the
rowers to land him. Where are you
going2' inquired Jones. ITO Saratoga"
was the reply. mot tonight, reyT
Yes, now. this instant" Entertaining
some fears of bis fir ends safety, Jones re-
luctsntly devoted that lovely night to a
hard rde over sandy road, instead of
lingering away its delightful hours on the
sweet bosom of the lake.
Six months after, Mcneil married the
widows daug liter, and the ensuing sum-
mer, when met b IN at Saratoga Springs,
he assured me he found it delightful
residence.