Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-23
NUMBER 36:

1'"6 VI thS SuPpVScu leJecJlOn OF his SUIT
by Helen. Mr.. Berne grosted him most
cordially, and introduced him to Mr.. Mot
expressing desire that they would
cultivate each others friendship. Mr. Lee
recognized Mr.. Motley as one of the two
young men whose conversation about Hell
EN- had given him so much pain, and il re-
qnired an effort to conceal the embarrass-
| ment which the painful "reminiscences oc.
casioned He however, returned ifr Mot
ley's cordial shake Of the hand, and re.
marked that he would be happy 10 make
the acquaintance Of any gentleman recon-
mended by Mr. Berne.
"Mr. Motley and I said Mr. Berne
shave Just been talking about matter of
much interest to me, aud if there be no
objection, sir, / would like to have your
opinion about it, He then explained the
nature of the case, and wound up by ask
ing Mr.. Lee how he should proceed.
81 believe, sir" said Mr.. Lee, ''that I
have already been consulted on this sub
Ject, A man, by the name of EstelIe, in
troduced himself to me, this morning, and
complained that some one-whose name
he did not mention had taken forcible
possession of his ward, and wished me TO
tell him by what process he could reposcss
himself of her person"
"Then you are committed" Mr.. Berne
remarked, "and cannot advise me. ."
mot at all 9 was the reply. ''for re.
fused to give an opinion on the subject
The mans appearance was far from being
prepossessing, and | suspected that some
evil design, on his part, or some wrong
already done had induced the proceeding
of which he complained"
" You guessed WE'LL /" said Mr.. Motley,
"and will guarantee that you have not
oyerrated his capacity for evil and if
you knew his niece as we'll as do, it
would afford you pleasure to aid in pro-
seeting her against her unnatural uncle.v
"An acquaintance with Miss Estelle."
Mr.. Lee answered, s'is not necessary to
stimulate me to do, in her behalf, whatever
justice demands. fBut, in this case, it hap
pens that my services are not needed, since
there is nothing to be done, but to prove
the WILL when Mr.. EsteIle will be divested
of the rights which he claims"
"Then yea think, said Mr.. Berne, with
evident satisfaction, 'there will be no suit,
II think there is no sufficient ground
for suit, sir, but can not say what Mr..
Estelle may do. He may endeayor to
prove that the testator was incompetent to
make will, or that it is a forgery; and
in either event, the law will allow him
hearing, which may be followed by much
delay and expense, but is not likely to af.
feet the final result"
just at this time, Jane EstelIe, accompa.
MED by Helen and Mr.. Eskridge, entered
thep ticowhere the foregoing dialogue had
been held. Mr., Berne, solcitous to cover
the embarrassment which he supposed his
daughter would feel at meeting Mr.. Lee,
for the first time since their misunderstand-
ing, placed himself in front of her, whilst,
with some hustle and delay, he introduced
Jane and then Mr.. Eskrdge to Mr.. Lee, who
went through the ceremony of ntrodue-
lion with grace and composure, and then
addressed Helen with formal politencss,
and expressed his surprise at seeing her
abroad so soon after her illness. She felt,
rcuteiy, the sarcasm conveyed by his Ian
suage and manner, but neither her coun-
enance nor the tone of her voice BETRAYED
he slightest emotion as she replied TO his
with the same seeming indiffer-
,nce that he had assumed. So well did
10th play their part, that no one unac-
luainted with their History, would have
guessed that they ever stood upon any
'ther footing than that of mere acquain-
ahee.
Each, however, was surprised at the
manner of the other and neither knew
hat both were under misrepresentation.
'lr. Lee knew nothing of the letter Helen
lad written him, and could not, therefore,
ppreciate her conduct, He saw her Zoo,
Gaming upon the arm of the man to whom
he had been engaged, and infcred-by
he aid of some anonymous information
hat the. contract had been renewed
And that she exhibited no embarrassment
IN this occasion, was proof, to him, that
he was eonsummate ae,tess, and as cold
$ she was artfuF
Helen, on the other hard, had hoped
hat the explanation she had given would
ave raised, rather than lowered, her in his
sti,n .tinn. but the coIdness of HIS man