Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-13

licitous 10 avoid her as she was TO ap-
proach him; and instead of taking any
notice of her, he had been listening, with
deep interest, to conversation between
Jane Estelle and his aunt, relative to Hell
ems antecedents And so much was he
delighted with James remarks upon the
subject, and the conclusions she drew from
the facts connected Herewith, that he re-
ally regretted the return of the ladies',
which put a stop to the dialogue.
Mr. Eskridge, too, with his usual can
dor and good sense, explained to Mrs
Whitman the nature of the reports in cir.
culation about Helen, and showed how
little truth had served as basis for the
exaggerated accounts she heard, and con
cluded by expressing hope that no one
would give credence to anything that ten
ded to cTiminate her beyond the state.
ments which had been made by Jane and
himself
1t occurred to Helen, on entering the
room, and seeing Mrs Medder, that the
opportunity was a good one for the three
fold purpose of exculpating herself from
the charge of having written the letter in
the possession of Joe Estelle-of making
it appear that Mrs Meddler forged it, and
of giving Mr.. Lee gentle rebuke for the
course he had pursued in relation to it.
Accordingly she said
"Mr. Eskridge, will be greatly obliged
to you if you will return the letter I wrote
you this morning. 1t can be of no fur
ther use to you, and may subject me to
painful embarrassment"
"The letter you wrote me this morning.
He exclaimed, with unfeigned surprise.
IL do not understand you, Helen-I re-
ceived no letter from you this morning {"
Of you did not, she asked, show could
you have dropped it from your pocket?"
81 have dropped no letter from my pock-
ct, to day" He answered with increased
surprise. -s.
off you did not drop it, she continued
in the same style of interrogation, chow
could it have been picked up by Mr. Es-
telle and exhibited to another?"
81 cannot answer your questions, Hell
en-, unless you will explain yourself more
fully, for I am totally in the dark on the
subject"
$50 was l. Mr.. Eskridge, until friend
enlightened me, and thus enabled me to
disprove ore of the many charges prefer
ed against me, and which would otherwise
have passed uncontradicted, Having ac-
complished my object, I refer you to the
author of the letter for further informa-
ton"
"But your reference viii avail me moth
ing unless you tell me who the author is,
for | can as readily guess the solution of
the mystery as l can the writer's name"
"There is but one woman here, Mr.. Esk
ridge, who is base enough to forge a let
ter, and l shall leave you to find out who
she is. Having accomplished my purpose,
l have nothing more to say"
During this short dialogue, Mrs Med
/ dler looked-and no doubt felt--like a
criminal awaiting the sentence of the court
The eyes of the little group we're fixed
upon her, and not one of them doubted
that she was the author of the letter in
question. Nor were the feelings of Mr.
Lee of the most pleasant character; though
we must do him the justice to say that he
intended to relate to Helen the substance
of his interview with Mr.. Estelle, but du-
ring the day no opportunity had offered
He was not only surprised at the subject
of the foregoing conversation, but at the
manner in which it was carried on by Hell
en-, whose flashing eye and flushed cheek
betokened a spirit for which he had moi
given her credit; and at the same time
that he was pleased at It's manifestation
he could not but perceive that she was
not to be trifed with when she felt herself
agrieved. This conviction not only sery,
ed to increase his respect for her charac
ter, but to admonish him of the danger
of forfeiting her esteem by the vacillating
course he was pursuing.
The silence which followed the dialogue
was broken by The advent OF Mr.. Motley
who had just seated his partner and hast
ened to join our little group,
"What makes you all look SO graveT
He asked. "You remind me of congre
CATION of quakers waiting for the spirit t,
move them. Has there been'an evil gsni
us among you?"
NYou have puessed H. Ned.n said Mr.