Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-08-26


Brittiebone, whose attentions, until /
Augustus had appeared upon the
scene. seemed TO have been fayorably |
received by Miss Arabella.
MIR. Theodore Briltlebone was
gaunt and gloomy youth. whose avoca-
ton was something in the hardware
line. Bitter enmity, not unnaturally, |
arose between him and Augustus, |
which resulted in MIR. Brittlebone be-
ing requested by old Mr.. Smith to dis
continue his visits when Miss Ara
bella's engagement was announced.
Mr.. Brittlebone accordingly withdrew
his society, but he haunted the house
like shadow. He waylaid Augustus
in the streets, accosting him with mock
politeness, and accusing him of trihing
with Miss Arabella's affections. Oc-
casionally his conduct became violent,
and he once actually challenged
Augustus to fight it out like man be-
meath a lamp-post This unruly be-
havior and persistent persecution be-
gan TO prey upon the nerves of Angus
tus, who, in addition to being little
man, was not addicted to pugiism
He was painfully conscious that he
was no match for the bellicose Mr..
Brittlebone, and he was seriously APP
prehensive for his personal safety.
But what worried him even more was,
that his rival cast doubts upon the ex
istence of old Mr.. Smiths reputed
wealth. Apparently Mr.. Brittlebone,
rendered keen-eyed by jealousy, di-
vined the real cause of Augustus de-
votion. At all events, he never
wearied of insinuating that he was ac-
quainted with Mr.. John Smiths
real circumstances in tone and
manner which were painfully sug-
gestlve. Augustus forebore to dis
cuss the subject with him, although
these dark hints made him very UNI
easy. He was quite unable to fathom
his future father-in-law, who declined
to be inveigled 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 tacturn and
secretive, and in this respect his con-
duct was quite in keeping with misery
propensities. Augustus consoled him
self with the reflection that none could
know better than himself the true state
of the case, and endeavored to Gtite
his misgivings 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 pleasantness, 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 90 into
Mr.. Retainer's room, he had present
iment of what was in store.
"Good morning, Mr. Maw," said
Mr.. Retainer, very stitily. 81 have
sent for you to ask if it be true, as l
hear, that you are engaged to be mar
ried."
"Yes, sir; it's true" said Augustus,
definitely.
"Of course / have nothingwhatever,
to do with your private affairs" re-
sumed Mr. Retainer; "but it has oc-
CURED to me that | may be, in a
measure, innocently responsible for
what has taken place.
II don't understand" said Angus
tus, reddening.
"The young lady is Miss Smith, l
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.
''It was an accidental circumstance, y"
murmured Augustus, avoiding Mr.. Re-
tainer's gaze.
''Of course. If l 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, 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
was evident that Mr.. Retainer's words
were equivalent TO formal notice to
him to leave. Augustus stood his
ground, however, from sheer despera-
ton.
"a quite agree with you, 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 l should say any
more. Still. to avoid misunderstood
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 word. and read as fol-
, lows
272 LINCoLN-INN FIELDs-Dedr Retainer:
1t was coincidence, and nothing more. / put
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 be. II
: was an accident However, no harm is done.
Yours very truly II. X. TAPE.
mo harm is done, as Mr. Tape says,
| said Mr.. Retainer, as Augustus looking
D stupidity perplexed, handed back the
I letter to him.
: 81 don't quite understand" muir.
D INJURED Augustus, though he perceived
n we'll enough that there had been a
fatal mistake somewhere.
n at is very simple" explained Mr.
$ Retainer. "a client of Messrs. Tape
e & Parchment's "a gentleman we'll
0 known in society, but rather eccen'
: tric-gave Instructions for his will, but
expressly asked that it should be drawn
| under a fictitious name, so that clerk;
n and other persons through whose
+ hands the draft might pass should
not he able tn identify him with tn,