Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-27
CHAPTER XIX.

the other, Tom Burton, and between them
there was a bottle of brandy and two
glasses The combined fumes of the
liouor and cigars, and the rather flushed
faces of the two men, showed that they
had not just taken their Seats and that
the full bottle had been once emptied, If
not oftener, during their sitting. The
chances they cast upon each others face
indicated mutual distrust and dissatisfac-
ton; and upon the somewhat wrinkled
visage of Joe Estelle there was apparent
slight expression of contempt for the
Young man who had yentured to measure
weapons with him in contest for the
mastery in cunning and dissimulation
The countenance of the young man ex-
pressed confidence in himself and defiance
of the powers of his adversary, and his
whole manner conveyed the impression
that any want Of intellectual skill should
be supplied by physical prowess.
The reader will remember that these
men meb Ny dPPOihouiSno, "~ ~ 80
be no better proof of the Importance at
tached, by each to the interview, than the
fact that they had emptied one bottle, and
snent an bour in random conversation
neither having alluded to the subject up-'
permost in the minds Of both AT length
Burton, growing confident under the intiu-
ence of brandy, ventured upon the out
skirts of the subject by abruptly asking
his companion what was the nature OF the
rumors in circulation about Helen Berne.
"I have been here" he continued, "but
short time, and everywhere / go some
thing is said about her, from which in
fer that the charges are of grave charac-
ter" &t#
"They arc of grave character" Estelle
responded, "and, what is more to the
point, they are true. Her conduct here
has effectually blasted her good name, as
DIR. and others could testify, if they
would"
'!Do you, Joe Estelle, of your own
knOWleuSe, MAKE LnlS CHaIBc
"No, not of my own knowledge, but up
on the testimony of those who do know,
and in whom have the fullest conf
dence."
"Helen Berne has been my ruin" said
Burton, sand | hate her as the devil hates
holy water but allow me to say that
whoever charges her with worse than cold
blooded cruelty to those who loved her
whoever insinuates even that she is not as
chaste as Diana herself, is an unmitigated
liar. And, understand me further, sir,
that though am here to cooperate with
you in breaking off her engagement with
Lee, and thus making her feel the pangs
she so cruelty inflicted upon me, it must
be done by other means than those to
which you have had recourse. That in
carnation of evil, Mrs. Meddler, must keep
her hands off, and shall make it per
sonal matter with any man who dares re-
feet upon her honor"
"Mrs. Meddler's, do you mean p asked
Estelle.
'No, sir; and you, of all men, should
be the last to suppose me capable of con
Meeting the word honor with the name of
your mistress"
"Tom Burton" exclaimed Estelle, half
rising from his seat, "you are allowing
your tongue license which I shall not
tolerate and demand an apology for
this insult"
''Take your seat, sill" Burton replied
with the utmost GOODNESS, and at the same
time drawing pistol from his pocket.
Estclle seated himself, declaring that
he was unarmed,
$50 much the better, Mr., Estelle, it is
m additional security for your good be-
havior. But armed, or unarmed, I'll blow
gour brains out if you attempt to play the
bully with me- I intend TO say what l
please, and if it does not please YOU help
yourself And now, sir, want to know
whether you have made up your mind to
Yay me literally for my services p
"Let us review the ground we travelled
ever in our first interview" said Estelle,
hat We may distinctly understand each
her You said that for the sum of one
-housand dollars you would break off the
gagemeut, just spoken of, and blast
Ielen's character"
"No, sir, made no such proposition
-r if did, it was slip of the tongue.
For the stipulated sum, will break off
tbe engagement, and blast Helen's pros