Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-23
cLARKsVILlE, TENN. FRIDAY, JULY %, 1858.

character; though Mr.. Berne with the gen
uine politeness of his nature, invited hi
visitor to enter, and be seated.
II have but little time to stay" was tn,
gruff response, Gas ! wish to leave for HON,
in an hour, and came over to apprize my
niece of it, that she may be ready to accom-
pany me. ! suppose she is here sir" h,
added with some asperity, "since was in.
formed by the landlady that you had beer
kind enough to induce her to alter the ar
rangements had made for her accommo
dation during my absence
Mr.. Berne controlled bis rising indigna.
ton as well as he could, and replied
calmly: "That Jane Estelle is Under my
roof, will not deny; that she came here
with my appreciation is also true. But
that l induced her to violate your orders
is not true. Though | should not have
hesitated to do so, had | met with her, be-
fore she voluntarily came to me.
FThcn sir, your daughter did not, as
am informed, wait upon her for the express
purpose ofbringing her to your cabinl' said
Mr. Estelle with sneer that aroused Mr..
Berne's temper and almost made him for
get what was due from him in his capacity
of hest, as he replied:
:'lt is needless to multiply words on the
subject, sir. Jane is my only sisters only
child, and as. such occupies, next to my
own daughter, the highest place in my af-
fections; and hearing that she was here,
without friend,-left in charge of an en- :
tire stranger, resolved to take her under
my own protection, and should have done
so even ifI had heard you give orders that
she should not quit the presence of the
landlady to whom you consigned her, with
as much indifference to her comfort as if
she'were a bale of merchandise.
"Upon what authority, sir, do YOU
charge me with indifference to my niece's
comfort?"
"Upon the facts in the case-upon the
representations of a man who knows YOU
we'll, and upon James declaration I base
the charge, not only of indifference to her
comfort, but of foul designs upon her prop
erty."
"And who has dared sir, demanded
Estelle in a rage, "to insinuate aught
against my character? you, sir, had better
take care how you give currency to SO base
a slander, lest I hold you personally res
ponsible, as the abettor of an attempt to
injure my good name r.
"Ifyou think, Mr.. Estelle, that YOU can
brow-beat me into quiet submission to
your nefarious designs, you have mistak
en- your man. And 1 tell you, candid
y, that intend to take such steps as NAV
be necessary to defeat you purposes, andto
remove Jane beyond the power of one who
Uses that power tc wrong and oppress her"
al defy your efforts to injurc me, sir, or
% thwart the plans l have in contempla-
ion for the welfare of my niece-But,
nay not see her, sir9" he continued in a
one of mock humility" and beg that she
Will prepare to return home?p
"Certainly, sir, you may see her; and
With her free consent, you can take her
With you; but without it, she shall leave
'ere only in my company, and as a mem
'er of my family" And nc had Just ris-
N to summon Jane, when she entered the
oom, accompanied by HELEN, both hay-
ng overheard the foregoing conversation,
lane, without the slightest embarrassment
hook hands with Mr.. Estelle and express,
ID her surprise at seeing him so soon. Af-
er an interval of silence, during which
le seemed to be deliberating upon the
roper manner of announcing his busi-
less to his ward, he said in a mild tone:
81 expected to find you, Jane, where /
eft you; but need not ask why you thought
roper to change your lodgings, since 1
nd you with your relations"
81 am glad that you are not surprised, y
he answered "and you must be aware
hat have been much happier here than
should have been in the midst of stran-
ers,"
"That is doubtless true" he replied,
nth as much blandness as he could throw
nto his manner-knowing that Jane could
My be influenced by kindness; "and /
must join you in thanks to your relations
or their hospitality to you, during my alb
ence. And it gives me pain to seperatc
'ou from them, but business of Importance
emands my immediate presence nh home