The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-28
CHAPTER III.
ACHNET. THE ASTROIOGER

creature he had ever behed In the whole course OF
his life.
| CHAPTER ii.
ACHMET, THE ASTROLOGER.
An Old man. yet tall and upright, wearing trail
ing cloak OF dull black, long gray hair flowing over
the shoulders, and tight to the scalp skull cap Of
| black velvet. A patriarchal beard, abundant and
silver white, streamed down his breast and out Of
dull, white face, scanned and wrinkled, looked pair
Of eyes, piercing and black.
Sir Jasper took step backward, and regarded this
singular apparition in undsgused wonder. The Old
man folded his arms across his bosom, and made
| him profound Oriental salaam.
''The Lord OF Kngsand gazes in amaze at the I'M
invited, midnight stranger. And yet think Destiny
has sent me hither."
| ..WhO are you?n the baronet demanded; '.what
iugglery Is thisY Are you dressed for Eastern
dervish in melodrama, ana have you come here to
play practical joke? am afraid cannot apprec-
| ate the humor Of the masquerade. Who are your'
sternly.
The old man folded his arms again and once more
| bent serviley low.
| .Men call me Achmet the astrologer.n
.An astrologer humph your black art, 1t seems.
could not protect you from a January Storm" re-
torted Sir Jasper with cynical sneer ''But come
| in come in; astrooger demon, whatever you
| are. you look too Old man TO be abroad such
night when we would not turn an enelny's dog from
the house. The doors OF Kingsland never closed
10 the tired wayarer, and of all nights III the year
they should not he closed Tonight"
''When an heir Is born 10 ancient name and
princey inheritance. You speak rightly, my Lord OF
Kngsland ~
gently murmured words, he faced sharply round
''how say you What do you know OF the events
or this night, Sir AStrOlOgerF'
''Much, Sir Jasper KIngsland, and for the very
reason you deride-because | am an astrooger. j
read the stars and lift the veil OF the future and
10 behold your life, years before you have lived
Sir Jasper Kmgsland laughed cynical unbeiev.
ing laugh.
..You ieer at me, you scott my words" murmured
the old man. In soft, steady tones, land yet there
was no one to tell me on my way here that son and
lie lifted his arm and pointed to the clock. his full
Iprk " h.l
ronet's changing face There was majesty IN his
mien, lofty grace in the gesture thrilling sweet
Ia his voice that ndescribably fascinated the
| listener.
| you quote your English poet, and believe him when
he says: There more things in heaven and earth
| than are dreamed OF in your philosophy But am
accustomed to derisOn, and II does not offend me.
Let Inc prove my power. so that even the most reso
| lutte skeptcisn dare doubt no longer. Judge OF my
skill 10 read the future by my ability In reading the
| past have come here-I have taken long jour-
ney to look into the future OF your newborn son.
Before begin let Inc look mo the past OF his father.
| Sir Jasper kingsland let me read your palm.n
but Sir Jasper drew back his pale, patrican face
| cold ana set In proud surprise
| "You have taken long journey to look into the
| future OF my sony Fray, my good astrologer, what
/ II my son To your
THAT is my secret, Sir Jasper, and my secrets
keep. Come mold forth your hand, and test my
| "Why should ~ Even II you can bring before me
my past life, of what use VIII 1t be- since must
| know all better than your
| my power to read the past may prove my power
to read the future"
| 'Nay you may easily know the past without magi-
| cal skill. Many thanks. my venerable friend, but
| will not put your nccromancy TO the test"
| The astroogor folded his arms and looked the
naughty baronet straight In the eyes until he quaed.
els Sir Jasper kngsand AFRAID ~ he sald slowly.
| 'surcly not, for verify he comes OF daring race.
| And yet IL seems like It,"
The baronct made "A stride forward with eyes that
| hazed up suddenly like black flames
| ''By Heaven ! IL a younger man had spoken those
| words would have hurled him by the throat from
yonder window Be careful Of your words, old
man. else even your hoary hairs may fall to save
you 90
| Once more the asiroIoger bent servllely.
| "A cry your mercy, my naughty Lord OF Kings
landl 10 shall he YOU say. will depart az
| came. I will not serve you nor your newborn son,
| fear no earthly storm. Good night SIR Jasper
Knsland. Look to the heir of your house YOURSELF
When angels unaware visit you again, treat them
| better than YOU have treated mei
| With gesture indescribably grand and kingy the
sIver-haired old man turned 10 go, folding his ong
cloak about him. But the voice OF the baronet called
him back.
What danger threatens his infant life that you can
avertf
| II know Of none. have not cast his horoscope
yet
| ''rhen YOU wish TO do SOY"
| "with your good permission. | have taken q long
and olsome journey for that very purpose Sir JAS
per kng-laiM'
''Then YOU shar' the baronet cried, yielding to
swim impulse'you shall cast his horoscope. II IL
can avert no evil 10 can, at least, cause none But,
FIRST there no action without Its ruling motive.
Mha, are me or mine 10 you r 10 naSe YOU take
| The old man paused, drawn mp TO his fullest
height. imposing new King Lear, his deep, dark
| eyes glowing with inward fire.
| II will tell YOU" ne said In deep voice. "Years
| ago. Sir Jasper. when you were young man. you
did honor aud "a service to one dearly love that
have never forgotten and never Will forget. lou
have ceased tn remember II years ago. no doubt; out
| never have. nor ever viii until my dying day."
The harunet stared.
| "A seryicel An honcrl what could 1t have been
| recollcci nothing of IT,"
81 expected as much: but my memory Is % good
one. u Is stamped on my heart forever. Great men
like Sir Jasper kingsand, grandees OF tie lahu ior
get these little things rendered to the scum and oiai
hut the scum and oal cherish them eternaly. owe
you long debt, sir Jasper, ana VIII pay u 70 the
| uttcrmOsi iarihing. 80 help me- God w
HIS black DlaZed, his low voice rose, MS arm
upfted nerCey for an instant IN dire menace. Then,
| quick ~ lightning hashes, all was Transformed The
eyes were bent upon the carpet the arms Oiued the
voice SANK, SOFT ana scrve. -,
Forgive me- he murinured. "In my gratitude
| forget myself But you have my motive In coming
hcrethe desire TO repay YOU TO look INTO ,ne future
OF your son Ia the evils that may threaten his
yoDth aud manhood and TO place you on your guard
against them. 'FOrcwarned IN forearmed' you
know. DO not doubt my power. In iar on oriental
lands under the golden stars OF syria, learned the
lore OF the wise men " the East learned TO read
the stars you Englishmen read your printed books
Believe and trust. and let me cast the horoscope OF
your son.
.sFirst let me tesi your vaunted power. Show me
nv past before YOU show me my sons future"
he neld forth his hand with cynical smile. The
' "Is YOU will Past and future are alike to me-
cave that the past Ia easier to read. All a palm
scanned and crossed and marked with troubled
lines Forty years have not gone and LEFT no trace
"Forty years :" interrupted Sir Jasper, with sheer
ing emphasis. Pray don't bungle IN the very begin
ming" ...r,o, .,orn,u .vou.,
Years ago on the third OF next month, you Jasper
southdown Kingsand, were born beneath this very
roof"