Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-04-11

! WIN 1lllScnl0SOuS lIllTtils Tie Jct-pldci
fringes of the long lashes swept th'
exquisite cheeks, the delicate brow
were as perfect as though they hat
been peneiled, the queenly head wa
crowned with coils OF shining raver
hair, her arm and hand we're perfectl.
shaped.
No one could properly describe my
ster's beauty, because it was eve
changing, ever new; no one could Sc
down the varied phases of feeling tha
fitted over her soul-lit face.
Kate Hamber was undoubtedly the
belle of the county. Lovers sighed
around her; but she laughed at all
she did not seem at all like subject
for the tender passion. think Allan
Charlton loved her best. He wor-
SHIPPED her, if ever man worshiped
woman. When she was present, Allan
forgot every one else; he lived for days
on the memory of a smile or kind
word. He was rich, talented, hand
some; his position in society WAS high
his character unblemished; he was
brave, chivalrous, and loyal, true in
word and deed, simple and trustful as
a child, courageous yet tender. He
was all that one could wish; but he
could not reach Kate's heart That
was safe as yet. He had made her
many offers; she had invariably re-
fused him-and yet poor Allan would
not despair. After each rejection
he seemed for a few days to be utterly
wretched; then he took heart again
and again began to hope. He loved
her SO wildly and so intensely that he
could not believe he was to live with
out her. Kate was fond of him in a
quiet sort of way. 1t is possible that
in time she would have learned to love
him but for what am about to relate.
Allan was a great reader, and con-
sequently congenial companion for
my thoughtful refined father. He
came to the Grange every day, some
times more than once When he had
been rejected, I was his refuge.
He would nurse me and play
turing to look ut Kate. | have often
thought he acted unwisely for his own
interest. She had proud high ma
ture; she required master, not
lover. Allan was all gentleness and
submission; frown from her made
him wretched, smile from her beau
tifuI lips rendered him supremely
happy. Whomsoever Kate loved she
must look up to; and the time had
not come yet for her to appreciate
this gentle, loving, chivalrous heart
My father was one of Allan's warm
est advocates. | believe he considered
cln
did not fall in love when he wished
her to do so.
1t was Kate's eighteenth birthday
beautiful bright June day. | re-
member it so we'll, although was but
eight years old. After dinner, the
evening was so lovely that my father
declared we must drink our tea in the
little summer-house by the lake.
Allan had dined with us. He was in
radiant spirits, for Kate wore in her
hair some of the exquisite and costly
flowers he had presented to her in the
morning.
AS we sat at tea, we heard the sharp
ring of a horses hoofs upon the road
whoever rode that horse rode furi-
ously. My fathers attention was at
traGteQ DV tne SOunu.
"Who is that ?" he said wonderingly.
81 did not know we had such daring
rider in the neighborhood.
81 fancy" answered Allan sit is the
new tenant of the Hall. Did you not
know that the lawsuit is ended and
the verdict given in favor of Sir Victor
Erlesmere, who took possession of
the estate few days since ?"
"No," replied my father; 81 have not
heard am very pleased. | did not
like the desolate appearance OF the
place"
"I never quite understood the mat
ter" said Allan to my father; Il was
very young at the time it happened.
How was it?'
1T was very simple business, to
my mind" answered my father "The
last Erlesmere at the Hall-@ir Wal
ter-was childless man. The estates
are all entailed; but he hated his next
of kln-sOme remote cousin not Il
very admirable character, from all |
hear. He tried to cut off the entail,
and made will bequeathing all his
fortune to friend whom he had loved
very dearly. OF course the legitimate
heir disputed the will. The suit was
prolonged by his death, and his son,
whom you call Sir Victor, carried it
on. In my opinion there should have
been no question as to the justice of
the thing
Miss Hamber," cried Allan, "are
you cold or tired ?"
He, as well AS myself. had noticed
the shudder, which suddenly passed
over my sister and blanched her face.