Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-03-20

tering the chamber he saw she was
seated in her armchair.
you have come at last, doubtless to
hear my opinion OF your unnatural con
duct, was the salutation he received.
81 don't understand you, mother.
Ny conduct has not been unnatural. |
simply refused TO marry the lady whom
you desired me To we'd.
Because You we're in love with that
low-born girl
Il will not hear a word against Hazel,
m0ther, said Lord Travers hotly
"You have sehemed to separate us. You
have succeeded for the time being, but
| shall leave no stone unturned to find
Hazel and make our marriage legal
one"
"You dare tell this to me?" said
Lady Travers, giving away to n furious
burst of passion, which was the
more terrific for having been suppressed
lor so long a time. "You the son of
whom | have trained to uphold the
pride OF your house. You were educa-
ted to contend with the weakness OF
humanity by teaching you to scOrn it,
but you fall into folly's own trap
tempted by caprice aud beautiful
face.
II loved and was beloved " interrupt
ed her son in n sad tone.
Loved" repeated Lady Travers,
scornully. Loved! is this the fruit Of
my lessons and my devotion 10 your
Where is your reason, your prudence,
your pride? Because piece OF clay is
moulded in form pleasing to your
foolish fancy, must you stoop to marry
this lowly girl--idiot ?"
Curse me, if you will; but, oh in
pity to my sutlerings, tell me where my
wife is. F"
II neither know nor care whittier the
wanton has betaken herself"
"NIy life on Hnzel's purity and faith !
Time will unfold the mystery of her
disappearance. In my agony am sutii-
cenlly punished. Oh, mother, be gen.
erous and forgive me'
"Eools forgive replied Lady Trav-
ers, with a sheer; "weak women for
get. shall do neither. Ii you had
/ not declared your determination to
make this girl your wife, could for
give you.
"Oh, mother! you who claim to be a
virtuous woman, how can you give me
such advice?"
"Boy!' cried Lady Travers, reused
bv her sons reproach, dare You pre-
sumo to judge mc-you, for whom /
have sacrificed so much2 | can endure
the reprodches OF the world and of my
own conscience, but not one word from
you. Begone! let me see your face no
more!"
Mother, shall obtrude my unwel-
come presence on you but few mo-
ments longer. | came here to tell you
that have gwen Mr.. Coal orders to sell
this house and mortgage CarringIord. "
without consulting mel" exclaimed
Lady Travers, her face becoming livid
with wrath.
:" 1t was my duty; Lady Maud must
have her fortune. The name of Car
ringford shall not be dishonored 10y me.
], at least, claim to be an honest man. y
''You know, then, why desired you
to marry Lady Maud ?"
"Yes, mother-to save my father =
memory from reproach. should have
felt myself thief had / married Lady
4 Maud and discovered that her fortune
had been squandered. Y
$50 it has come to this! This is the
bitter end of all my ambition, all my
hopes" grasped Lady Travers, the
large drops of perspiratlon chasing each
other down her forehead. II little
4 thought to live to see my only son mar,
ried ha beggar!"
| Mother, | cntreat you to leave
Hzel's name out nf this discussion
The unfortunate girl is not to blame
she neither knew iry title nor my ran
when l won her heart. She was to
have married Squire Rodney, who is Il
wealthy man; therefore, her motives
were not mercenary. lam sorry that
am compelled to speak unexpectedly
to you, butit is not my fault that Lady
Maud's fortune is lost" -
Not a word, boy, against your "a
4 ther 3 name! Begone, say, besonen
i Lord Trayers rushed from his moth
er's presence out of the house, and GLAD
to escape from her roproaches.
For some moments Lady "favers al
just as her son had left her. No muir
muir escaped her lips, no sign Of ami
nation appeared ON her countenance
to all appearances she WAS as still AS ,
lifeless statute, At length her uplifteo
arm dropped to her side, her lips quiv
cred, her face, which had been Grim
soncd with passion, became ashy pal,
with thu pallor of death.
, ITO be continued.