Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-08-12

vined the real cause Of Auguslus' US,
votion. Az sli tecnts, he never
weated VI insinuating that he was ac-
quainted with Mr.. John Smiths
real circumstances in tone and
manner winch were painfully sug-
gestive. Augustus forcbore 70 die
cuss the subject with him. although
these dark hints made him very un-
easy. He was quite unable to fnthom
his futurd fathet-in who declined
to be ihyciglcd Into conversation about
his affairs. But It was evident that
this roticcncc was constitutional. and
was not assumed for the occasion. Old
Mr. Smith was habitually taciturn and
secretive, and In this respect his con-
duct was quito in Keeping with miscrlf
prepuhsitleA Augustus consolcd him.
self with the reflection that none could
know better than himself the true state
OF the case. and endedvored 10 gtiilc
his misgivings by attributing Mr.. Brit
| tlebonc's inuendoes TO envy and ig-
norance mingled with jealousy.
Although Augustus duly announced
his engagement to his friends, he did
not for some time mention u TO his
| fellow-studcnts at Mr.. Rctainor's
chambers. lie instinctively guessed
that Mr.. Retainer would suspect how
the event had come about, aud. thcrc-
fore, to avoid unplcasantncss, he
deemed Vt prudent TO hold his tongue.
But after awhile the news leaked out.
rs all news will; and when Augustus
was one morning requested to 90 into
MIR. Rctaincr's room. he had present
| imcnt OF what was in store.
- (p0d ptpruiuu NJ Nav ~ eai1
Mr.. Retainer, very stiflly. 81 have
sent for you to ask IL II he true, rs |
hear. that you are engaged to be- mar
| ricd.m
"Ycs, sir; it's true" said Augustus,
definitely.
"Of course have nothingwhatcver
to do with your private affairs re-
sumed Mr.. Retainer; "but Il has oc-
| cured TO me that | may be, in
measure, innoccntly responsible for
what has taken place
IL don't understand" said Angus
tus, rcddcning.
'Thc young lady is Miss Smith.
I am told-thc daught,r of Mr.. John
Smith, of Hilldrop-cres ,cnt Camden
town. said Mr.. Retainer, mcaningly
THAT is correct admitted, Angus
tus.
"Whose will was prepared in my
chambers n few months back" said
Mr. Retainer, with unpleasant em-
phasis.
at was an accidental circumstance,
murmurcd Augustus, avoiding Mr.. Re
| tainer's gaze.
"Of course. II | thought for one
moment that any one in my chambers
could hc capable OF such n gross breach
Of faith, as well as OF professional cti-
qucttc, as to take advantage of pro-
fcssional secrets. / would request him
TO put on his hat and leave this mo-
mcntN
The cff,c Of this speech upon Au-
! gustus was that lac fcltinclncdt 10 sneak
out OF the room then and thcrs. Ii
was evident that Mr.. R.taincr's words
were equiva. Mt 10 a formal notice TO
him 10 leave. Augustus stood his
ground, however from sheer dcspera-
| tion.
~ quite agree with you, sir" he said,
shortly.
II am glad of that" said Mr.. Retain
/ er, with u grave how. "Your affection
for the young lady he added. "being
purely disintcrested. II Is hardly, per-
hapf, necessary that | should say any
more. Sill, TO avoid misundcrstand-
ing, you had better read this
He banded Augustus letter which
he had been holding open, between
his fingers. Augustus took the docu-
ment without n word, and read as fol-
| lows:
2.s LINCoLN.INN FiELDs-Denr Rtnher;
! II was coincidence. and nothinI moro, lpui
IN the nauo Of smith mysnis, ana nv conn
dental clerk added an addrcss-thc first That
occurred To- him. ! know nothing OF tho Mr..
John Smith you refer %. mother ilOas be. II !
Sas an accident. However no harm Z done
Yours very truly. II. Il TAPE.
mo harm is done, rs Mr. Tape SAYS"
said Mr. Retainer, as Augustus looking !
stupidity pcrplcNcd, handed back the |
letter 10 him.
81 don't quite understand" MUIR
INJURED Augustus, though he perceived |
well enough that there had been q |
fatal mistake somewhere.
1T is very simple explained Mr.. |
Retainer. ~ client Of Mcssrs. Tape |
~ Parchmcnt's "a gentleman we'll
known in society, but rather ccccn- |
tric gave instructions for his will. but |
expressly asked that il should be drawn |
under a fictitious name, so that clerks |
aud other persons through whose
hands the draft might pass should !
not be able to identify him with the |
testator 1t was an odd prccau'ion, |
and | must say, added Mr.. Retainer, |
looking severely at Augustus, "that |
thought at the time it was almost in.
sulting. However. the result IS that |
none but the confidential clerk who en- /
crossed the will for signature Is in the |
secret
Il understood you to say that you
knew all about the trstator,' cried |
Augustus, beside himself with vexation |
and disappointment
$50 did. The secret was confdad /
10 me-" said Mr.. Retainer Had YOU /
mentioned that you knew a certain /
John Smith Of the address given | |
should have been on my guard But |
you merely said you knew the address,"
II did not know him at the time"
blurtcd out Augustus.
He could have bitten hs tongu' OF /
the instant after, for he saw he had be-
traycd him eli Mr.. Retainer, in n
voice of thun Ter, ordered him out of /
the room. and Augustus. overcome
with humiliation and confusion, need /
ed no second bidding
The prevailing sentiment which agi-
tated the bosom Of Augustus when he
came 10 consider the situation was q
deep sense Of having been cruelty
wrOnged aud deceived. The insinua-
tions Of Mr.. Brittlebone concerning
Mr. Smiths circumstances had. as we
have said, for long time caused him
uneasiness, and now that il had trans
pircd that the old gentleman was not
the owner Of the property mentioned
IN that fatal will Augustus had no diff
iiculty in convincing himself that his
rivals version was correct. Most un-
,.un-nnnl.l.- L.. ...-t...l a -..o.-. A Ar-I.lI.