Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-11-14


! Mercy Kirke laid her hand in he
IL daughters and said in a voice whicl
J. trembled from emotions
d my child, many in this world ma,
l say they love you; but none will eyei
J. do 1t as do. You may have hosts O.
e friends and lovers, too, but you can
l have only one mother"
Hazel felt tear drop on her fore.
head rs her mother kissed her.
my child, can't you trust me p
Mother, have / ever distrustcd
} your"
"Aye, you are distrustful OF me now,
for there's a secret in your heart that
you ought to confide to me and you
are trying to hide it."
Hazel shivered and looked emhar-
rassed. In low voice that she tried
in vain to render steady, she said:
why, mother, what do you mean ?"
"Oh, you know well enough what
mean. / have been foolish, child"
said Mrs. kirke, as she clasped Hazel's
cold, trembling hands still closer. Il
was blind, and forgot the dangeIs of
youthful blood, and felt too sure of
your promise to become Aaron Rod.
ney's wife. But my eyes are opened
now. I've discovered your secret,
girl and / must speak to YOU"
"Oh, mother, spare me, spare me r
cried Hazel in anguish, rs she hid her
shame-stricken face in her mothers
lap and sobbed convulsively.
"Well, well, child. don't cry. II is a
great misfortune, Hazel, but perhaps
you couldn't help it, You must not
think OF Mr.. Carringford any more"
"Oh, mother, il is too late for you tc
bid me forget him, now" sobbed Ha-
eel.
"Too late ?r exclaimed Mercy Kirke
in horror. "What do you mean, girl?
Speak! Lift up your head and look
me in the FACET commanded Hazels
mother sternly.
"Mother!" cried the unhappy girl
reproachfully.
"Ahl thank Heaven that your eve
can meet mine like an honest girls
should" said the trembling mother.
Il see it all now, Hazel Mr.. Caring
ford is bad man."
"Mother" exclaimed Hazel indig-
nantly, rs she hastily arose from her
knees.
sits no use, Hazel; / know all you
would say in his defense. But your
father saved his life and cherished
him in his house, and this is his graft
tude. How dare he make love to you
when he knows that you are the
plighted wife OF another manYn
mo, mother, you wrong him. He
has never spoken a work OF love to me
in his life"
"And you have been won without
my wooing, child?0 asked Mercy sad
81.
"Oh, how can tell? All 1 know is
hat day by day his voice has grown
'weeter, his words wiser. his very pres
.nce more precious. | did not realize
low empty my life would be without
him until now the time has come for
nm to leave us. 1t seems MS If the
hadow of death we're upon my heart,
I has grown so dull and heavy" said
he unhappy girl, rs the tears ran
iown her pale cheeks.
"You say he has never told you that
lie loved you, lass ?"
"Neyer, mother; and yet know he
Ioes. When my back is turned / feel
lis eyes upon me. ] saw them once
" accident in the glass. knew all
hen; for saw in them my own mis-
ry, my own love" said Hazel, rs she
hrew herself into her mothers arms.
Ter delicate frame trembled with
motion as she wept the bitterest tears
he had ever shed.
II am afraid he loves you, child"
"Don't, mother! You make my
cart quiyer in my bosomp
TMy poor child" replied Mercy
lirke soothingly, @yott must try 20 do
our duty. You are Aaron Rodney's
romised wife, remember, and you
Mould not think of any other man."
"Oh, mother" cried Hazel, with
iteous glance, "dont speak Of my rash
romise to the squirrel"
"But must, child. You have prom
ed to be his wife, and he expects to
larry you very soon now"
"Mother, it is sinful for me to wed
aron Rodney
"But you will break his heart, child.
Ie has waited patiently for you all
lese years; and he loves you, Hazel,
J a young man viii not"
"But, mother, can never love him
J | should. | can never bripg him
le free, full love that wife should
ring. Such heart as thea squires
emands devoted love; such faith
his demands an unreserved return"
i'd Hazel, with quivering lips.
"My dear child, j am very sorry
lat you ever met Mr.. Carringford.
ou were contented and happy with
our lot in life before you saw him.,
ayes, mother, because l liked the
4 Nl,n
lat felt for him for love. i feel all
Ie madness of my hopes. They are
lid, insane perhaps, and must give
Iem up" And the unhappy girl COW
ed her face with her hands.
"Your father has unfortunately set
8 heart on your marriage with the
uire, and you know, child, that he
i'll never forgive you if you break
,ur promise"
@Ah, mother, this is all wrong;
low it, feel it," answered Hazel, as
e hid her face on her mothers bos.
n.
The dread OF being squire Rodney's
lie had haunted Hazel highland day.
nc began to fear him; his very pres
zee seemed to fill her soul with aver
on. The more she thought Of her
marriage, the more she
runk from the sacrifice, and the
ore unhappy she became. She knew
mt Arthur loved her and that his
nse of honor sealed his lips; when
ey parted she knew that it would be
rever. She even begrudged him his
stored health, for she felt that he
uld not remain longer under her
Iher's roof on the pretext Of being
invalid. Hazel feared that the old
iler would give Arthur a hint TO
part. Indeed she had tried several
mes to tell him kindly and frankly
at he had better return TO London
ID relieve his mothers anxiety; but
y after day passed, and she had not
und courage to send him from her.
"Chld, you must try 10 do your du-
however hard it may be, said Mer-
Kirke, kissing her daughter with
otherly sympathy. Don't give way
my darling"
But, mother is il right that should
ep my promise 10 the squire when
cry throb OF my heart belongs TO
other 2"
"Alas, my poor girl, / wish could
L you hope, but dare notl Iknow
ur fathers iron will too well. He
,uld cast you out of his heart and
4 me never look upon your face
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