Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-27
NUMBER Al.

certainty Who would have thought that
Helen had changed so much She Is
more beautiful than ever, and there il
something in her manner that made me
feel like coward. .
His reverie was interrupted by Mr.. Lee.
who was in search Of Helen, to wait upon
her to the supper-table. Not finding her.
he was turning to leave, without word to
Burton, whom he did not know, when the
latter said
"lf it is not too dark, Mr. Lee, would
thank you to read this little document and
say to what rights IL entities me, and for
your opinion, am willing to paw the
usual fee" And he handed him 3he
certificate.
Mr.. Lee looked fxedly at the man, and
wondered what he could be doing upon
spot which was rarely visited except by
Helen and himself, and presentiment that
she was in some way connected with the
paper in his hand, and the man before
him, he hastily unfolded, and read the
document 1t fell at his feet as he once
more turned his bewiIdered gaze npon
Burton and demanded--"What does this
mean, sir ~
sit means just what IL calls for, on its
face" Replied Burton, stopping to pick
it up. II have just been exhibiting It to
the lady, but she AYERS that the marriage
was all IN fun, and that she will not stand
up to her bargain It was a run away
match--as you will infer, strand I sup
pose she concluded, after the Knot was
tied, that she could do better and / have
given her eighteen months for the expert
ment."
"Were there any witnesses to the mar.
riage r. Asked Mr. Lee.
ooh, yes, a plenty of them; but this
certificate is witness enough for met is
official, and / want to now of you, sir, as
lawyer, if it does not constitute me her
lawful husbandl She is tickle creature
and, withall, very obstinate; but / guess
she will have to yeild this time, or sue for
a divorces step sheis not willing to take
or she would not have begged me to keep
the matter secret, or have offered me a
thousand dollars for the certificate.
81 have no opinion to give you. Mr..
Lee said, abruptly, and, turning upon his
heel, hurried away.
"Well, this job is done;" Burton said
to himself; and it is well done, or am
mistaken in the signs, and l can now de-
mand the money of Joe Estelle, that is to
salve my science.--What a pity il is
that mankind is go mixed up that you can't
aim blow at one man without hitting
some one else at the same time. Now,
have no grudge against Lee, but can't
hurt Helen Berne without hurting him,
and | am sorry for it. But must have
money, and if he will put himself in the
way, he must just take the consequences
Having thus eased his conscience, he
was moving away, when he was met by
Timothy Dolt-whom the reader doubtless
remembers who asked, in his peculiar
voice-"Is your name Tom Burton ~
eyes, my little man, that is my name,
and what have you to do with it ?"
"If that is your name, take care Of your
self, is all l have to say"
"That / am doing all the time, my little
man" Said Burton. "But what is YOUR
name"
"Dolt, sir,--Timothy Dolt."
ooh, yes you are the man that came
on here, as you thought to marry Jane
Estelle. Mrs. Meddler fooled you badly
in that transaction--but give us your
hand if you are small, you showed the
spirit of man when you refused TO be
concealed in Miss Berne's room, at night,
and to make your escape from the window,
at given signal That was deep.laid
plot of Mrs. Meddler's against Helen's
good name but you acted the man in re-
fusing to have anything to do with it, She
is devil--a--perfect devil, and you had
better keep out of her clutches.--But why
do you tell me to take care of myself?'
"I can explain, Sir But | love fair
play, and say to you again, n,-take care Of
yourself" And off he went, paying no
heed to Burtons call to him to stopa
moment--"Something's wrongs" said tho
latter, to himself, "and must fnd out
what it is, and if danger threatens me, it =
must be from Estelle, because none Of
IIelen's friends know anything yet, Of this
certificate. Well, if it be SO, let him look
to it, and If he catches me mapping, he is