Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-01-24

K V lLLE, =. C., j
on him from it's place over the mantel as on the
preceding evening Was it a vision or was it only
dream, was the question which he asked himself
and which he felt really unable to solve. The chair
in which his spectral visitant had seemed to sit,
was really in the very place which in his vision it
had appeared to occupy. But how could he be Ger
tain that he had not himself placed it there? His
first sensation when he awoke was that OF man
from whom some impending calamity has been re-
moved but as he began seriously to reflect upon
the mystery in which he was involved the conclu-
sion forced itself upon his mind that he had been
Knocked by pleasant but delusive dream. "And
yet" such was his next thought t. 'why may not
dreams reveal to us all that beings from the land OF
spirits can tell us? will at least examine the scab-
bard of Count Roberts sword, and see if there I've
any truth in the statement which was made me In
my dream. If the parchment with the Arabic YER
ses really be there, the mystery will begin to deepen,
and my dream, if such it was, may be reliable as
to the future, after all. :"
Guiscard arose and, taking down the antique
sword, drew out the finely tempered blade In
verting the scabbard and striking it few times up
on the foor small scrap of parchment sided down
from within, but it was so midewed that it affor-
ded him but little satisfaction The few characters
that could still be traced upon it, were evidently
those ofthe Arabic alphabet but there were too few
of them to enable, even an expert oriental scholar
to determine whether or not the inscription cores
ponded with the verses, which were still distinctly
impressed upon his memory.
At all events, his fears for the future were some
what diminished. 1t removed no slight burden
from his mind to have presented to him, even
through the doubtful medium of o dream, the
possibility that the destiny which had involved his
family for so many generations was now accom-
pGshed, and that the avenger was satisfied. he
dressed himself and descended to the chamber be-
low, where breakfast was awaiting him.
PHILIPPE met him in the hall with look in which
curiosity and awe were strangely blended. Guis-
card saluted the old man kindly, and with more
than ordinary cheerfuhess and gayety. The old
man lifted his brows with astonishment, but asked
noquestions
| "He is the first ever saw come from sleeping in
| Count Roberts, chamber with merry face, " said
the old man to himself. "Iwonder if-but never
mind; he will tell me all about it after he has
breakfasted; and I can well wait till then. lnever
saw one of the family before, who did not bring
from that old room, sad and troubled face. But
why Count Robert ghost should have followed the
family from France and met every one OF his line
face to face, unless he could give good news at last
is more than can guess. shall knowit all, when
master Robert has dispatched his breakfast. " a
When Guiscard took his seat at the table, with
the cordial greeting of Aunt Agatha, he received
questioning glance, that told him that curiosity
was also busy at her heart. There was mingled
with curiosity, too, anxious solicitude, to know
what revelations had been made to him during the
night; for, well versed in the traditions Of the
family, and informed by PHILIPPE, of the converse
ton of the preceding evening" she felt assured that
his future life had in some manner, been toreshad-
owed to him during the hours spent in Count
Robert chamber
But Guiscard was unusually silent and thought
| full. The events of the night furnished him with
abundant material for thought and reflection.
"Aunt Agatha" said he, as he was about rising
from the table, the thought of what Helen Roth
say had said to him the previous evening, occur
ring to him suddenly, in connection with his dream
"Do you remember any couplet, which has been
handed down, in relation to the brides Of the Guis-
cards?"
The old dame shook her head, doubtingly, and
seemed to be rejecting.
'Do YOU remember these Gnes?" asked Guis-
card
! "The curse with him shall end"
"Aye! now rememberit," said the old woman,
quickly; and she repeated:
"The curse with him shall end, who pens life to save
| His destined bride snatcled by the angry wave"
s'It is an old couplet," said she in explanation,
''about the ending of the ill-fate of the Guscards
with their wives. I learned it when l was little
girl, hardly in my teens, and she who taught 1t to
me- told me that the ill-luck of the house would
some day, come to an end.
"I think there are two more lines, said Guis-
card closely watching the features the old house
keeper.
IT believe there may be more, replied Agatha !;
'but if there is have forgotten it this many long
years"
"Would you remember the additional lines, if
YOU heard them repeated?' asked Guiscard, Gu
riously.
perhaps I might" answered dame Agatha /;
"when the memory is logged, we remember many
things that were forgotten"
"Do you think it was something like thisY'
asked Guiscard-
\ "Who dearly loves yet would her band resign, .
Ere that fate her which blasted all his line"
Agatha paused moment in thought, repeating
| tho varces IN herself
''Those are the very words! remember to have
heard them when was child" exclaimed she,
suddenly setting down the teapot and raising her
hands in wonder; 'But how Robert, did they
come to your ears? I had forgotten them, forty
yes, nearly fifty years by-gone and there is no one
could have repeated them to you, but me-"
IT will tell you who it was Aunt Agatha, said
Guiscard, laughing; ''but it must be kept dead
secret no one must know it but PHILIPPE, and you
must swear him, on your pondrous bunch Of keys,
to carry it with him to the grave. Now-believe
it or mott had this quatrain from my ancestor,
Count Robert; but remember you it was all
lin dream.
''It was no dream, my chid,' said the old dame,
E solemnly shaking her head. ''Your are the first
though, fear who ever had reason to rejoice at
meeting him. I fear he was man who went far
astray, and left curse hanging over all his pos
terity."
II will tell you my dream" said Guiscard.