Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-25

Now Cave-pierced rocks there rose un evarr,
And gaunt old Trees of leaves and fruit al mere
t..... Morris Earthly Paradisst e.
I was spending pleasant days at G,,.
BILE. I noticed, however, that Vioet
unusually nervous. She was LOSING WAS Was
bright complexion. The rose was fora nff
ing her cheeks. She was constantly conA
planning OF her head. Nothing ser;nu.
was apprehended. VanOrten, when coI
ed in, would laugh, and say, "Oh, tH a,t,
will pass away" It was drawing near ' Ia
appointed day for the exploration 81 t H
cave of the Bloody-Rock. 1 was sufic;, me
ly at home now at the cottage 10 nast n''
day or two elsewhere without excit; S
comment. Iheld private interview ny
the doctor concerning the undertak;po, AVA
He was heart and soul in the scheme u.
knew very little of the location bn1
great deal of its strange inmate
"Vidian," he would answer, "kno,..
the abode we'll. I heard him state tbos
he, with two companions, in their scbonI
days, attempted the exploration. He sors
too, that it leads to an Indian man!o
leum"
This information was new. T was J..
meet Vidian next day. VanOrten wonij
be at the rendezvous. [ was very anxior'
about Violet she was growing so EstIess
SO less of the kindling flame of y1urb
Had Kinglake anything to do with this .
0, was more than ever bent TO ferro4
him out; to visit his dark abode: TO catob
him at his black manipulations spells and
1ncantatloDs. He was afraid of Mary
That was evident. Were he broncht n
her spresence would that destroy his ART
and reveal his design? This was no yogo.
ry. Time will disclose the mystery. Now
! for the interview.
met Charles Vidian at the time and
place appointed. had excused MYSELF at
the cottage. probably would be back in
twenty-four hours. If were not thew
were not to feel at all uneasy. VanOrtep
soon made his appearance.
How is precious Violet ?" asked
Vidian.
"She's not so well. She seems TO bc
dropping. We can't discover the cause "
"I'll wager that that Kinglake, with
the
Smooth words he had to wheedIe simple sous,
has thrown spell around cottage Greno.
BILE, and has left chill behind him TO
wither the cherry cheeks Of Violet"
g 1t may be as you say. But l don't
believe in his power. / will snap it as |
will the reed which he carries, and in
which he insinuates lies SO much of the
potency of his craft
"All right, Nick; I'm heart and hand
with YOU"
"And I too" responded the doctor.
We took with us whatever we thought
might be needed-a lamp, couple of box.
es of matches and wizards not only to
protect our faces, but also to serve as
disguise. We went devious path and on
foot, the better to subserve our purpose
Coming within sight of the Bloody Rock
we were precautions enough to keep in the
thicket which surrounded it for several
acres. It was impossible for any one on
the highway to see us. We were silent
steady and infexible. Happen what NAV
we were determined to fully carry out the
design.
"It's pity" said VanOrten, breaking
silence, 4" that so true character as this
Kinglake should resort to such nefarious
manner of living"
I" L was never acquainted with any other
trait of his character than that which re-
fleets those demoniacal deeds which have
been imputed to him. 1 have always
heard 1T said that he is bad man."
GA mere hearsay," responded VanOr-
ten. We ought to suspend judgment till
We find him guilty"
"You seem his champion, VanOrten ?"
No, Mr.. Nicholas, I'm nobody's cham
pion."
"Good for VanOrtenw rejoined Vidian.
"See He steps forth with the pride
of German, the poverty of French Mar
quis, the address of Swiss soldier
"Three noble qualities 1 thank you,
Vidian, for the compliment. Foote never
dealt so generously with those words
am proud of my ancestry; poor because I'm
a doctor brave and as faithful as any
member of the Swiss Guard"
Vidian gave long whistle.
6 can claim those three great qual;fi-
cations for Kinglake."
l and Vidian started at this announce
ment. We regarded each other with sur
prise. VanOrten was calm and smiling.
"Well, if this isn't GOODNESS, don't
know what is, muttered inwardly.
81 hope VanOrten you'll not turn trail
tor, and turn us over to the clement claws
Of Kinglake p
l looked at him steadfastly as / asked
him this question. He answered me
mildly.
Trust me, Mr.. Nicholas, all will be
veil. You'll see the truth, and you'll
hank me-"
" No double entendre, VanOrten," slowly
Vidian. "You seem to know
omething of the past of this man of the
'udded rod. You are our friend. You
'annot mean to deceive us. You are gen
leman. You canDot."
"Accept that as the Gospel truth, and
believe me. But bark ! Don't you hear ?"
While We WE re gazing ON Van Orten, he
held his eyes to the front. We crouched
nd listened. We were near the Bloody
Rock. We could hear nothing. The sun
vas fast declining. We peered cautiously
through the bushes. but could see moth
lg.
go pshaw," said Vidian, "it was moth
ng but squirrel jumping about in the
Try leaves"
Gradually we stole up to the Rock, and
ay for awhile to rest ourselves concealed
t the mouth of the cave.
"Wonder il there s an exit besides this
& the cave ?"
"Why certainly there is" answered Van
)rten. "They say it extends three miles,
nd then opens into the ruins of an old
hurch, beside that Indian mausoleum of
hitch Vidian speaks"
Very probable %
cts So"
"That is so" broke in Vidian. won't
re have fun in creeping through I'm