The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-08-06

istence of old Mr.. Smiths reputed
wealth. Apparently Mr.. Brittlebone,
rendered keen-eyed by jealousy, di-
yined the real cause of Augustus de-
| votion. At all events, he never
wearied of insinuating that he was ac-
quainted with Mr.. John Smith S
manner which were painfully sug-
gestlve. Augustus forebore to dis
cuss the subject with him, although
these dark hints made him very I'M
easy. He was quite unable to fathom
his future father-in-law, who declined
to be inyeigled into conversation about
his affairs. But it was evident that
this reticence was constitutional, and
was not assumed for the occasion. Old
Mr.. Smith was habitually taciturn and
secretive, and in this respect hlS con-
duct was quite in keeping with miserlY
| prOpensities. Augustus consoled him.
| self with the reflection that none could
know better than himself the true state
his misgiyings by attributing Mr.. Brit
tlebone'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 it to his
fellow-students at Mr. Retainer's
chambers. He instinctively guessed
that Mr.. Retainer would suspect how
| the event had come about, and, there
fore, to avoid unpleasantness, he
deemed it prudent to hold his tongue.
! But after awhile the news leaked out,
as all news will; and when Augustus
was one morning requested to go into
Mr.. Retainer room, he had present
iment of what was in store.
ssGood morning, Mr.. Maw,'' said
Mr.. Retainer, very stiffly. II have
sent for you to ask if it be true, as [
hear, that yoa are engaged to be mar
ried =
Eyes. sir; it's true" said Augustus,
definitely.
"Of course have nothingwhateyer,
to do with your private affairs, re-
sumed Mr.. Retainer, 'but it has oc-
Cured to me that I may be, in
measure, innocently responsible for
what has taken place.
II don't understand said Angus
tus, reddening.
1.-THE young lady is a Miss Smith, /
/ am told the daughter of Mr.. John
Smith, of Hilldrop-crescent, Camden
town, said Mr.. Retainer, meaningly.
THAT is correct" admitted, Angus
/, tus.
.'Whose will was prepared in my
chambers few months back said
Mr. Retainer, with unpleasant en-
phasis.
cit was an accidental circumstance, y
marmured Augustus, avoiding Mr.. Re-
tainer's gaze.
''Of course. If I thought for one
moment that any one in my chambers
could be capable OF such gross breach
of faith, as well as of professional eti-
quette, as to take advantage of pro-
fessional secrets, I would request him
to put on his hat and leave this mo-
ment.
The effect of this speech upon Au-
| gustus was that he felt inclined TO sneak
out of the room then and there 1t
were equivalent TO formal notice to
him to leave. Augustus stood his
ground, however, from sheer despera-
| ton.
Il quite agree withyou, sir, he said,
shortly.
II am glad of that" said Mr.. Retain
er, with grave bow '.Your affection
for the young LADY, he added, ..being
purely disinterested, it is hardly, per-
haps, necessary that should say any
more. Still, to avoid misunderstand-
| ing, you had better read this"
He handed Augustus letter which
he had been holding open, between
his fingers Augustus took the docu-
ment without a word, and read as fol-
| lows:
2ls LrNooLN-INN FIELDs-Dear Retainer:
/ twas n coincidence, and nothing more Iput
/ IN the name of Smith myself and my conf
Dental clerk added an address-the first that
occurred to him ! know nothing Of the Mr.
! John Smith you refer to, neither does he. 1t
was an accident. However, no harm is done.
| Yours very truly I'll. II. TAPE.
mo harm is done, as Mr.. Tape says"
said Mr.. Retainer, as Augustus looking
stupidity perplexed, handed back the
letter to him.
Il don't quite understand" muir
| INJURED Augustus, though he perceived
well enough that there had been
l
1T is very simple explained Mr..
Retainer. "a client of Messrs. Tape
& Parchment's Ia gentleman we'll
known in society, but rather eccen-
tric-gaye instructions for his will, but
expressly asked that it should be drawn
under a fictitious name, so that clerks
and other persons through whose
hands the draft might pass should
not be able to identify him with the
testator. 1t was an odd precaution,
and | must say, added Mr.. Retainer,
looking severely at Augustus, ''that I
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
II understood you to say that you
knew all about the testator,' cried
/ Augustus, beside himself with vexation
and disappointment
$50 I did. The secret was confided
to me,n said MIR. Retainer. ..Had you
mentioned that you knew certain
John Smith of the address given /
should have been on my guard But
you merely said you knew the address, y
81 did not know him at the time, y
blurted out Augustus.
He could have bitten his tongue off
the instant after, for he saw he had be-
| trayed himself. Mr.. Retainer, in
voice of thunder, 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 to consider the situation was
deep sense of haring been cruelty
wronged apd deceived. The insinua-
tons of Mr. Brittlebone concerning
| Mr.. Smiths circumstances had, as we
have said, for long time caused him
uneasiness, and now that it had trans
pired that the old gentleman was not
the owner of the property mentioned
IN that fatal will Augustus had no diff
ficulty in convincing himself that his
/ rivals version was correct Most I'M