Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-04-24

rushed in as the fire abated Between
them they lifted and carried off Miss
Anderson, who was borne " our little
house, quite insensible. ! hurried after
them, and met them at the door, There
! came face to face with Capt. Martyr
Henry He had saved Miss Anderson,
thenl Poor Mr.. Hemphill!
She remained insensible for some time,
but we got her round by degrees; and in
our house she remained for three weeks
Mr.. Hemphill called every day, and more
than once day, and at last was per-
mitted TO see her. She was sitting up
then, and gave him her hand. You can
imagine his greeting; but she was very
quiet, and scarcely spoke. AT length,
after awhile, she said Il heard her; /
couldn't help it, as was in the next
ROOM:
arthur, you have been very kind and
brave. l hear you risked your life to
save mine. How can thank you? You
have suffered, too, see. And for me |"
"My darling, there is one way in
which you can make me supremacy
happy. If you will become my wife
soon-dearest-"
"Oh, don't, don't please can not !
Oh, Arthur-Mr. Hemphill-I can not
speak of thatl"
"Well, not just now perhaps, Gladys
darling. But when you have quite re
covered-when l am more presentable.
then we will arrange it ALL"
She murmured something, and thei
she said, aloud, as if she had nerved her
self to speak out:
Arthur, would you think me very
wicked if said l can not-I would
rather not marry you? Oh, forgive me !!
can't marry you; indeed can't"
Poor Mr.. Hemphill's SCARED face be-
came white. / peeped out, and saw him
kneel down and take her hand.
"You do not love me, Gladys! Is that
the reasonp have fancied SO when you
were so harsh towards me. But | never
thought that you would have consented
to even semblance of engagement
unless"
NO." she interrupted; II didn't know
all. But now do. lean not marry
-you-because--"
She bl,ished, hung her head, and he
finished the sentence for her.
Because you love some one else. Is
that so, Gladys"
She merely bowed her head. Then he
rose, and continued in such manly, YET
tender voice:
"Gladys, my dearest, my hope in this
world has been to call you my wife
You have fattered me with the idea tina.
you would be mine. But have seen my
error. Perhaps, had | rescued you, you
might have loved me-"
"Oh, no, moi" cried Miss Anderson.
"Indeed, always liked you, but when !
consented to try and love you my heart
had already gone. told you that"
"Yes, you did; and this man Martyr
Henry is my rival still. Oh, my darling,
must give you up? Give me one WORD
Of hope. What, not word? Not one.
Oh, Gladys, Gladys! I have worshiped
you. My whole heart is yours, and you
deny me even crumb of comfort. All
is over. Is it really true?-really true?r
The tears were running down hel
cheeks His eyes were dry, but so mild
and sad, as he turned away.
Goodbye, Gladys. Our iirst meeting
for three weeks, and our last for eyerl
God bless you, and-forgive you'll"
He kissed her and went out, leaving
her in torrent of tears. l believe she
cared more for him at that minute thar
she ever had done before. | know she
declined even to see the captain when hi
called with her father. Poor Mr.. Hemp,
lill!"
He went away almost Immediately
Miss Anderson soon got about, and be
came really engaged to Capt Marty
Henry again, and will marry him in the
autumn, as all has been made up
Adapted from Lucy Farmer in Cassell's
Magazine.