Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-07-10

chance Of being lovedT demanded he,
depressing his anger.
4None whatever, my fine fellow, as
thou dost not hare purse in thy hand
and that full Of sounding pieces"
Then, with another ringing laugh Of
contempt, she entered the house.
Charmido remained an instant unde-
cided. after all, this insolent slave
does not perhaps truly represent the ideas
Of her mistress. Who knows, but if only
| pleaded my cause IN person, with the
enthusiasm Of an ardent lover, that /
might touch her hearth lie resolved to
make the attempt at the first oppor-
ttnlty. SO on his return to his house he
left the door ajar, so as to BIO able TO hear
any movement on the other side Of the
street. II was not long before the sound
Of q mans voice came from the street,
and the silvery ripple Of woman's
laugh. He ran TO the door Just as the
rich wooden merchant was entering the
house opposite, and Chrysis was about
to follow him. The potter called her by
name.
"What dost thou want ?" said she.
Charmide was but an artisan, but he
was noble looking, and one could listen
to what he had to say.
Il wish thee to love me-" responded
the young man, with boldness that sur
prised himself Il am not rich, and !
can not load thee down with rich orna-
ments such as that ridiculous parsonage
who just entered the house has furnished
thee; but l am master OF my art, and
can model thy beautiful form so ex-
quisitely that it will be handed down to
posterity."
Chrysis, who had at first listened with
indifference, now regarded him with
establishment, and throwing back her
pretty head, without brains, broke into a
loud laugh.
"Posterityl" said she, Aposterity! Those
who come when we are dead; the fine
affair. And who bothers themselves
with those who are not born?S
She laughed, showing ben beautiful
teeth; the flower of her tSEnty years
bloomed on her amber cheeks, and all
her being expressed simple abandon.
Charmide extended his arms; she re-
pulsed him with a sudden seriousness
and regard as hard as iron.
STOP" said she, do not dare to touch
me. Thou pretend to love me, and yet
expose me TO the danger Of losing the
benefits from this generous man."
ut is not for money that wished thy
love-" said Charmide with somber air
He went back and stood on the sill Of
the door.
"Thou art beautiful, Chrysis. would
have nodded thy supple form, like 9
sculptor, and preserved to those who
come after us the souvenir of thy won
derful but aeeting beauty. Thou refuse
1t is well. AS for me, would b.
ashamed to give thee gold when I hac
something richer and nobler to offer.
dreamed of consecrating thy person to i'm
mortality, but since thou preferres
gold
"Goldl it is everything, since it bring
everything, exclaimed the young beauty
assuming an air of railery. Her Ian
guage was now like that of her servant
"Bring purse of gold this evening, ant
l will send away Giton for thee"
Char1nide made gesture Of disdain.
II do not want thee at any price" sait
he, "thee who prefers gold to everything
worth living for. Thou shalt live here
after in thy true character, and for tn.
cupidity shall be punished in the eyes o
the world; everybody shall know tina
tlrou lowest nothing but gold"
well, potter, what harm is there il
that" said the insolent bataSy, angfil,
closing the door.
Charmide returned to his court, tool
another clay statuette of Chrysis, crush
ing the two arms in his hands trembling
with choler. Under his fingers the cla
soon took new form. An arm was ben
up under the bust, the other hand shak
ing well-filled purse, and the expires
sion of the face changed from modest
to audacity. There, now she is in he
true character" said Charmide, aloud
"the woman who accepts the attention
of the most ill-fayored person if he onl
possesses wealth. This brazen-face
Chrysis shall live long after the rest G
us have crossed the Styx."
He spent the afternoon in remodelin
the figure, SO absorbed in his labor the
he forgot to eat anything.
The rays of the declining sun began t
cover the walls of his house with cherr
red when Nais stood before him with
foaming porringer.
what dost thou wish?
"My mother sends thee dish of vegt
tables from our garden. Thou hast ne
been out during the day, and must b
hungry. l have watched for thee.
wished to know the success of thy offel
ing to Chrysis.
"The result? there it is" said Cha
nide, indicating the statuette.
, ut is Chrysis," said the girl, "she
very beautiful, but thou hast made he
very bolu"
"She loves nothing but gold; she tol
me that herself. So thou seest, hay
represented her with handful! Tho
art less grand than Chrysis, but tho,
, sand times more charming. Frol
whence came thy grace and thy Pun
blue eyes? 0 Nais, that I should hay