New-York tribune., 1886-07-18

learn that il Is not always safe to judge by ap-
pearances," he said. with a smile.
"Then you think, nr-"
"Do not alarm yourself" Interrupted Mr..
Retainer, turning impatienty to his work. "Mr.
Tape explained to me the circumstances OF the
case. 1t is all right"
Mr.. Retainer dismissed Augustus with nod
as he finished speaking and the enterpr1sing
student left the room with his doubts completely
set at rest 1t seemed that Mr.. Retainer had
private reasons for knowing that the Will was
trustworthy and he was not man given to
testing, nor to speaking without proper means
of knowledge. Augustus. therefore, resolved
upon the spot to obtain an introduction to MIR.
John Smith without moments delay.
This did not prove more difficult than he
had anticipated in fact. the details OF his con
quest over the susceptible heart OF Miss Ara
bella Smith are too commonplace to need descub-
ing Suffice il to say that Augustus fascinat-
ing Manners his fashionable attire and his per
foTnances upon the German flute com olned to
render him irresistible.
The Smiths TUNED ont TO be q respectable
family. without the least pretenslOn 10 gentIhty
1t was evident that Augustus was the nearest
approach 10 gentleman they had ever been
ACQUAINTED with, and their qualification at his
polite attentions was undiSguised. No doubt
amount Of his small fortune assisted to facli
tate his cOurtship Old Mr. Smith. from the
outset seemed content with the prospect OF secur'
ing him for a son-in-law and when Augustus
after comparatively short acquaintance
avowCd his passion for Miss Arabclla Smith.
her father gave his consent 10 the enga cement
without hesitation.
Augustus WAS naturally elated by his Success
though the naive vulgarity of Miss Arabella
rather distressed him. But she seemed good
honest sort of ein-not beautiful. certainly. vet
fairly preSentable. Compared with the solid
fact that she was an heiress, her tIiflng defects
weighed very lightly with Augustus. The
crumpled rose-leaf which disturbed his happi-
ness was due to the Omnous behavior of a II
val Mr. Theodore BIlttlebOne. whose atten-
tons. until Augustus had appeared upon the
scene seemed 10 have been iayOraDly received
by Miss AIabela.
Mr. Theodore Brttlebone was gaunt and
gloomy youth. whose avOcation was something
in the hardware line Bitter enmtv not un-
naturally arose between him and Augustus.
which resulted in Mr. Brittleboue being re-
QueSted by old Mr.. Smith to discontinue hl-
visits when Miss Arabclla's engagement WIS an
nOuIced. NJ. BIittlcbOne accordingly Withdrew
his society but he haunted the house like a
shadow. He vavllid Augustus in the streets.
accosting him with mock Doitcn rSs. and accus-
ing him of trifinC with Miss Arabella'S afiec-
tOns. Occasionally his conduct became vlo-
lent. and he once actually challenged Augustus
to fight it ont like nian beneath a lamp-poSt.
This unTuy behavior and persistent pel>ecu
tion began 70 prev upon the nerves OF Augustus.
who. in addition to hcine a little man, was not
addicted to pUgli-m Ie was painfully conscious
tllNr n" WAS no nlNfn lOI llf WlICN>e vi.
Brittlebone and he was seriously applchen>ive
for his personal safety. But what worried MN
even more WAS that his rival cast doubts upon
the existence Of old Mr. Smiths repuied
wealth. Apparently Mr. Brirlebone, rendered
keen-eved bv jealousy, OWNED tn real cause
of AugUstuE'~ devotion. ~ all events. he ncvc:
v,aIied of n>iuuaGn- that he was acquainted
with Mr. John Smith. real circumstances. in a
tone and manner which were painfully sugee,-
tive Augustus fOrtbO3e TO discuss the subject
with him although these dark hints made INN
VERY uneasy. He was cutie unable 10 iathOm
his future father-in-law. who de- lined to be
inveiglcd into conversation about h.> diial1~
But il Was evident that this reference was con-
stiiutionn. aud was not assum'd ior the occa-
sion. Old Mr.. Smith was lmDiullY tgi'uIn
and secrouye. and IN this respect his conduct
was quite in keeping with mise ly DlOpcn-ltleS.
Aucus+u. con .,lc1 himself with the rthoct'on
fllat none could know better than himself the
true state Of -he case, and cndcavored 70 stiff
hi m,eivine- 10y attrbuting Mr. P'ittlchone'
nnuendoes to envy and ignorance mingled with
jealousy.
Although Augustus duly announced his en-
cacoment 20 his friends, he dd not fOi some
time mention II 10 hi fellow-s,udegts az Mr.
Ret.linei'- chambers He in>tnctivov guessed
that Mr. Rctainer would suspect how the event
had come about and therefore. to avoid un-
pleasantness. he deemed it prudent 70 hold In
tOngue But after awhile the news leaked out.
as all news viii and when Augustus was. one
morning. requested 10 20 into Nr. Retiner'-
room, he had proscntmont of what was III
store
"Good morning, NJ. Maw.r said NJ. Re
tainer veTv stihy "I have sent for Won a.
ask if it is tlue rs hear, that YOU are engaged
to he married y
"Yes, sir it is true" Augustus ANSWERED
defanhy
do with your private affairs resumed Mr. Re
oainer "but il has occurred 10 me tnaI l may
he. in a measure. innocently responsible for
what has taken place
81 don't under.tlnd,' said Augustus reddeu
ing;
the daughter Of Mr. John Smith. OF Hill
drop-creScent. Camden Town" said Mr.. Re
tainer, melninglv.
"That is correctr admitted Augustus
"Whose will was prepared in my chamber
few months back said Mr. Retainer, with
unpleasant emphasis.
ut was an accidental circm tancc,7 mm-
INJURED Augustus, avoiding Nj. Rctnncl's gaze
"Ot course If | thought for one moment
that any one in my chambers could he capable
of such gross breach of faith, well
of professional etiquette as t. take advantage
of professional secrets. | would request HIM t.
put on his hat, and leave this moment.
The effect of fhl~ speech upon Augustus wa
that he felt inclined 10 sneak out of the rooan
then and there II was evident that Mr Re
tdnel's word, We're equivalent 20 q formal
notice to him TO leave Augustus stood IN
ground. however. in sheer desperation.
q quite agree with you, sir he SAID,
shortly.
Il am glad of that said Mr. Retainer, with
2 gave bow; "voUr affection for the youne
lady, he added, being purely disintere,ted.
II is hardly perhaps. necessary that ! should
saw anv more Sill. to avoid misunderstanding
Won had better read this'
He handed Augustus a letter which he had
been holding between his fingers Augustus
took the document without word, and read aS
follows
27o. Iincon's Inn Fields.
DEAR RRTAINER.-1t was a coinciden" and nothing
more I pat IN fne name O' smith myself and nv con
ndenfal clerk added sddies-tne hrt mat occurred
~ him 7 know nothing ~ the Mr. John Smith you
rster to neither does he. II accident HO~evoI.
n" harm is done Yours very truly, II. r. TApE.
"No harm is done, as Mr.. Tape says sad