Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-09-10
CHAPTER XIII.

20 his promise to Helen, rode off in search
of Tom Burton, resolved to extract from
him, by some means or other, the whole
truth in reference to the marriage certif
cate. Satisfied in his own mind, that there
had been fraud practiced, he was pain
fully anxious to omake itappear, that Helen
might be relieved, and, if possible, enable
her to keep the transaction secret from
her father, for the sake of his feelings
Mr., Motley learned, through Dolt, that
Burton boarded about a mile from the
Springs, which he yitited only at night
and for the purpose of gaming; and he
directed his course accordingly, his
thoughts divided between his interview
with Ann Lee and the object Of his ex-
cursion-neither subject affording him
much pleasure. With all his levity, he
was man Of determined WILL quick to
decide and prompt to act, and when really
aroused by his own or the wrongs of his
friends, was dangerous man.
He had not ridden far when heevertook
Dolt who seemed to be laboring under
high excitement, and when first seen by
Mr.. Motley, was talking to himself, on
high key, and gesticulating violently.
ystWhat is the matter, Tim?" Demand
ed Mr., Motley, calling him by his abridged
christian nance II thought there were
dozen of you, from the noise you made "
sr"why you see, Mr.. Motley, there's devil
ment going on between Mrs. Meddler and
Joe Estelle on one side, and Tom Burton
on the other, and I thought would try
to prevent mischief and don't know ex-
actly how to do it, and am troubled in
mind"
"Well what's the. matter, Tim? Tell
me all abou. it, and perhaps l can help
you"
"You already know, Mr.. Motley, about
that will business, which I explained to
you some days ago.-But if | tell you,
sir, you wont mention my name"
"Certainly not, Tim, unless circum-
stances make it absolutely necessary-so
proceed" r.,s ss, s.r .--. -..
ats q dreadful business, Mr. Motley,
and makes me shudder to think of it; but
it ought to be told, and tried to find you
this morning, and not succeeding, set OF
by myself to do the best 1 can. Late
last night, l heard Mrs Meddler and Joe
Estlclle talking together, and the first
words l heard distinctly, were uttered by
the former, who said-''If any thing
serious happen, Dolt can be made to swear
that he heard Burton threaten to take
your life" Hearing this, | listened at
tcntivcly, and heard them coolly discuss
the question Of numbering Burton, h'
insisting upon poison--she upon shooting
and trusting to the chance of proving i
was in self-defence. They agreed that thu
purchase of the will would avail little, 81
long as Burton was alive because he coulC
still prove the will to have been writer
and detail the manner and circumstance
of its suppression, and even if old Motle.
should still have the original, he, believ
ing the business had been regularly set
tied, would not be likely to concern him
self further about it, and thus everything
might work as they desired. As to tn
manner Of putting Burton out of the way
Mrs. Meddlcr objected to poison becaus
he might become aware of his condition
in time to make disclosures that would de
feat their object, even if it did not lead
their own elimination, When they parted
Estelle said he did not know which pla
he would adopt, but would decide b
morning. as it was the time specified fc
paying the price for the will. '.
~ am desperate he continued, "fc
if the will is discovered, l am not onl
dsgraced, but ruined, and if commit
crime to get it out of Burton's possessio
and silence him, the poison may then b
come necessary to silence that scoundre
Berne, who is making himself SO bus
with my affairs ,aE g.r gss
II have long known Estelle to be a vi
lain" said Mr. Motley "but did not su!
pose he would deliberately plan the murd
Of any one and TO think that Mrs, Me-
dler-a woman--can aid and abot him
so black crime-it is too horrible for b
lief-But you say this morning is Il
time fixed qor the consummation of Il
horrid deed % t
% eyes, sir, this morning and though
told Burton, yesterday, in consequence
.soYne hints had heard that he had bett