Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-09-17
CHAPTER ky.

IT is needless to say how much Helen
was relieved when Mr.. Motley placed in
her hand the sham certificate of her mar
riage and gave Burtons dying confession
of the manner in which he obtained it,
She was truly grateful, too, for Motley's
advice which delayed, and finally obviated
the necessity for communicating to her
father information that would have planted
thorn in his path to give him pain at
every step through life. And in writing
the current news of the place, she delicate
ly told him that Mr. Lee did not under
stand her, and, perhaps, she did not un-
derstand him; that there had been no en-
paFemcnt between them, and as circum-
stances rendered their social intercourse
unpleasant and embarrassing, he had gone
to visit the other Springs with the mutual
understanding that they could be to each
other nothing more than acquaintances.-
And she concluded by expressing the hope
that her father would be glad to have her
all to himself as house-keeper and COM
panion-industriou in the former capaci-
ty, and cheerful im the latter.
"But tell me, Helen" said Mr.. Motley,
resuming u conversation that had been
continued for somo time, "have Ann and
her aunt offered no explanation of their
conduct towards you? | have not spoken
to either of them since yesterday, and ask
for information"
"Oh, yesp She answered, with blush
and smile, al had forgotten to tell you
about it. | received note from Miss
Ice, last evening, in which she says, with
the statciness of diplomatist st-If Miss
Berne desires an explanation Of the line
of conduct my aunt and myself have
adopted towards her, she will find that cx-
PLANTATION in the accompanying document.
verified, as it has been, by my own OBJ
servation Here" she continued, blush
ing still deeper, sis the document. feel
some delicacy in submitting it to your in
spccton, Mr.. Motley but from such a
friend as you have bcen can have no
secrets"
He read with increasing symptoms OF
angry excitement, to the close, the COM
munication Of Mrs. Mcddler, published in
previous chapter; then dashing it on
the floor, exclaimed is as great a
fool, as Mrs Meddler is knave, and could
not have supposed she would give credencc
to such an absurd story But"
"Nay, do not say anything more, Mr.
Motley" she remarked, ntcrrupting him
"until you have little more time to think
Ann honestly believes that story, and
believing it, her conduct could not wei
have been otherwise; so you must not bc
hasty in your conclusions
"Well, | will not, just now" He re
piled, as he resumed his seat. GA though
has occurred to me that diverts my feel
ings into another ohannel.-The woman
here spoken of, you say is in search of
truaut husbands she like this portrait2'
And he handed it to her.
eyes, it is most striking likeness -
She exclaimed, as she scanned ever.
feature.
"Thcn,' he said, "sho is the wife o
Tom Burton, and own cousin of Ann Lee
would not take thousand dollars fo
the knowledge of the fact"
"What is the meaning of all this, Nh
Motley?' Helen asked, in surprise
"How do you know she is the wife of Nj
Burton
81 will tell you, The poor fellow askc
me to take charge of his effects, and i
oyerhauling his trunk, | found a lettej
stating that his life was in danger, and, i
ease he should be assassinated, requeste
that the money in his trunk and tn
portrait of his wife should be forwarde
to her address, which have forgotten
aud suggested that, perhaps, Mr.. Henr
Lee would take charge of them, as he
an own cousin to Mrs. Burton, So yo
see, Helen, have the proof and you ma
rest assured | will turn it to account
"Poor creature, how she viii be shocke
to hear that her husband was murdcre,
and only few hours after her arrival u
Said Helen, in tone that betrayed dee
sympathy Glow shall we communiea
60 her the distressing intelligence"
"She must have learned it by this tim
Helen, for nothing else has been talk,
about, and the names of the deceasC
could hardly have escaped her hearing
But if you thiuk it advisable. | will SCI