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

T don't like hi11. I like Charles Vidian.
He used to take Dick Robin with him and
they'd go out end hunt squirrels. He was
kind to Dick Robin. Dick would run about
the woods hallowing. And the hounds
would bound after him. And the birds
would fly away afraid. And then the gun
would shoot. They would bring me home
wreaths of woodbine, and nice MOSES.
do love Charles Vidian and Dick Robin. !"
"But you must love the doctor too He
loves you - a. -~1+ ." . .-
h mw Yell T mel; you just tell me to love
"That is good child. We must love
everybody
Tea was now ready, and we all were
soon seated and chatting freely over our
cups. Violet ran to me with swelling
bud, and to her pa with another. She
would always smell them first, and say,
"How pretty y Every ill was forgotten
in her innocent cheerful presence. But
she was presently put abed, and we were
alone, Mary, myself and De Kimberly.
"Bless that little child" said, "she is
as sweet as the sweetest flower of Para
disc. She loves flowers, too, so much that
she will die of their love-"
"Hear Nick, Mary, talking of one
dying of the love of flowers
80, I suppose" said Mary, "that's
merely an expression"
Exactly SO. [ meant nothing more
But, De Kimberly, changing the topic,
when do you expect him." Mary had
stepped aside for something, and I asked
this in low tone.
Expect whom %
''Do you forget what you wrote me ?"
"Oyes."
''Well. expect him almost hourly. He
said he'd be here this evening between
nine and ten, if not then, certainly at elev
en-. He does not want Mary to see Kim.
He will stay an hour with us, and then de-
part He is such mystery"
"Mystery p
"Aye, mystery"
You know him we'll ?"
"Well"
q never met him but twice, and at
both times, not under very pleasing cir
cumstances. I'll study him this time. He
is an impostor, no doubt. Have You OBJ
served him closely %
"No. can't see why he avoids Mary.
He'd not explain"
"Do you think him sane p
81 doubt Of his sanity"
Mary was anxious about her child, and
never permitted her to remain long while
alone. She soon left us, aud retired for
the night.
De Kimberly looked at his watch. cts
half past nine. Kinglake ought to be
here" .....
EDO you still believe in Kinglake's ne
cromancy ?"
"No-I can't say l do. But there is
something about the fellow that amuses
me. You remember when we were boys
this same hollow-eyed fortune teller fol-
lowed us frequently to get our pocket mo-
ney for simply looking at the lines in the
palms of our hands p
Yes, [ remember very we'll. Time has
not driven the 'lean-facd villain from
my memory. He told me I would never
marry Mary. You see he told the truth"
lie told the truth, Nick. Any man
that knew us could have told as much as
he about that matter.
81 have never liked him since. I hate
to see him take ont that scroll he carries
about him. [ think he is always about to
read death warrant"
But bark Footsteps They're his p
A gentle rap, rap, rap, at the door. He did
not dare pull the bell. He knew the mis-
tress sleepeth. De Kimberly cautiously
opens the door and admits the necroman.
Ger, sKinglake. TO me he was as forbid
ding and as cadaverous as ever. His
grizzly beard and hang-dog look added 10
his general contour that of