Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-03
VOL. TX.

super stluOus, i readily believed, and deter
mined to take advantage Of it, If every other
means failed. .'t..,-i
The next thing did was to get glimpse Of
| the servant. He was more evil looking, ii pos-
sible, than his master. The bold staggering,
| confidential air that he assumed struck me with
| the idea that he was rather OVERRIDING his part
| However, let him 90 for the present, deter
| mining to deal with the master, II could.
How to Outwit Clara's uncle and get the real
! will into my hands was my earliest and latest
! thought. l could not 60 like thief and steal
\ II, even if had known whore 1t waa- But in
| going home one night from the 4" Mares Nest, -
| | conooctsd plan to obtain it without stealing
would frighten the man into delivering up the
4 will. -. .
The next day called on a person whom I had
once befriended, and whom knew would assist
me. told him enough Of the story for him to
| comprehend my plan, and he promised to do all
| he could for me. He was to take every oppor-
tunity Of persuading Clarke, my opponent, to
visit . famous fortune teller, who resided at o
distance Of two or three miles. He was TO trump
up wonderful story of the fortune teller skin
and accuracy in reading mems fates eau
! toned my friend against attracting suspicion
| by OVERRIDING his part; but this was less likely
because Clarke would not probably suspect me
| as being connected with the affair, and conse-
quently would be more off his guard
/ then sought my friend Campbell, and took
him into my confidence. He entered with spirit
into the idea, and agreed to act the part of for
tune-t teller which knew he could to perfection.
was too we'll known to assume character con-
sequenuy was to remain in the background
and seize upon anything favorable that should
como out
Nearly week passed. and had heard nothing
as yet from Clarke, and nothing from my friend
as to his movements. I became anxious, for
time was precious. My patience was almost
exhausted, when at last there came a note, say
ing that Clarke had been persuaded to ride out
and visit the fortune teller that very evening at
dark.
hastened to the Mares Nest" and Camp
bell and made our preparations to deceive the
visitor. No place, indeed, could have been more
suitable for our purpose than this-its very air
was mysterious to stranger. We waited
anxiously, and sprang from my seat when L
heard the sound of wheels. There, indeed, was
my faithful co-worker with his man safely ar
rived. Under the direction of Campbell, the
servant introduced them through the darkest
and most intricate passages, and ushered them
at last into the lofty and dim old dining room
illuminated by the last beams Of day.
BY way Of giving few extra touches to this
room, had brought in two skulls and some
curious vases from my friends study The
grinning skulls had placed one on each side of
the door, in order to attract our visitors atten-
ton.
had taken my station in a place where
could hear and see everything, without exposing
myself to observation. Indeed 1 was planted
directly behind the speakers chair, which stood
in distant part OF the room from the visitors.
A protecting screen and the dim light of the
room concealed me from their notice The few
minutes that intervened before the fortune tel
Ter made his appearance, doubtless seemed long
to those in waiting. / saw that Clarke was be-
ginning to grow uneasy. But at last rustling
sound was heard, and the fortune teller was in
the room. He had entered through a small
panel door, which neither of the visitors could
perceive.
His tall figure looked gigantic in the dim light,
and bis rusthng black robes and the solemn step
impressed one with awe. The visitors were
ordered to advance, which Clarke did i'm q
vague, uneasy sort OF way. The fortune teller
fixed his eye on him.
What would you have! he asked.
Read me my fortune, - was Clarke's answer
"And the past?h questioned the fortune
teller.
Tell me nothing of that. know it already
The future is all / care about
But to unravel your fortune, must road
little Of your past life. Stay; be quiet now, for
your life"
A light smoke curled up from a dish upon the
floor. This oontrivance, by the way, Campbell
owed to my inventive genius The fortune tel
Ter raised the dish and peered into it earnestly
When the smoke subsidized, he spoke:
MAN, your past life is before me. Shall
speak it?'
"No, no." gasped Clarke" not the past
anything but that"
but 1 must speak of It," said the fortune
teller, still looking earnestly into the empty
dish. 9. see before me q man, who has Just
committed o great crime, q terrible crime-that
of depriving his brothers orphan children of
their birthright"
mo, no" gasped Clarke again.
" Be still w said the fortune teller, sternly
" What have said is true. By the inscrutable
laws Of my mystery, it must be true. This man
absents himself for many years no matter how
many. He comes back a few DAYS before his
brothers. death, worms himself into his conf
dence, and hastens the sick man g death by en-
treaties and threats for a will to be made in his
favor. The real will he hides in safe place,
deeming it of especial value, as the sick man had
held it in his hands few hours before his
DEATH
But I never opened that WILL" faltered
Clarke. 81 only knew what was in it from
what my brother told me-"
"And now for the future" said the fortune
teller. RetributiOn must follow in the steps
Of evil deeds. Man, there is something horrible
before you-shame, disgrace, prison, and an
awful death"
Even in the gathering darkness thought
and the solemnity Of his tone thrilled me with
a vague horror. Clarke, l fancied, was trem-
bling violently-the other visitor could not hear
what was said.
"And if this were true" said Clarke, " would
there be no possible way to avert it?'
None :" said the fortune teller "Stay,
there is one way. You can deliver up the sealed
will -
" l have not the will here" said Clarke.
" Then you are lost, " said the fortune teller,
" But perhaps, you have the key of
the private drawer where you keep it."
"Yes," said Clarke.
Then throw it into that dish and l will
agree to produce the will by my art. Then you
shall take your choice Of delivering it up or not
This key its-' ..
The right hand drawer in my private secre-
tary, in the little east roOm,' answered Clarke.
Campbell leaned over and slipped the key
INTO my hand unperceived. Then, as if he were
me:
TT. Yuisk. like lightning. 1t is the only way.
rs beginning to suspect this mummery.
"a