Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-03-19
CHAPTER xxx.

CHAPTER xxx.
How she succeeded in getting out of that
terrible woods, Cecilia never knew.
In the evening, when the rest of the family
had gathered around the tea-table, she was ab-
sent. She remained in her room complaining
of severe indisposition, and with reason for
that horrible scene which she had witnessed in
the woodland, had completely vanquished her
strength and almost overcome her reason.
Her husband, too, in spite of himself show
ed great excitement. His behavior was mark
edly strange. He talked on for little while
and then broke off suddenly, as if the muscles
that moved his face were shattered, and the
expression of his eyes was dark and cruel
Then he would become morose and i'm
movable, apparently dead to all surrounding
him. Evidently, he was victim that night
to a terrible and nameless sorrow that had
shaken his reason. When one of the party
would speak the voice would jar his nerves,
and he would wake up suddenly, as if with
convulsive effort, to escape some horrible, un-
happy dream, and would talk on as he did
before, incoherently; but his words, all the
same, often carrying with them cutting effect
to at least one listener.
No one present could understand Gadbury's
troubled manner, unless it was Damar, who
watched his every movement with profound,
steathy and studied attention, as if he were
trained detective of the law.
Damar, himself, was deadly white, and his
forehead was furrowed with wrinkles of anx-
iety and care. His mind, as well as Cad
bury's, was tortured A common thought had
stung them with its poisonous fangs.
"Was this the beginning of the end?"
"Why, brother Clarence, what is the matter
with you tonight? You act so queerT re-
marked Docia.
Her brother had suddenly ceased speaking,
and sat there with disturbed countenance
and dropping head.
Bring me some brandy" he said, turning
to the servant in waiting, and ignoring Do
cia's enquiry.
His manner was 80 abrupt, that no one at
the table dared, even stealthily, to regard him,
lest he discovered their scrutiny.
"Indeed, Clary, wish you'd answer me |!
What ever is the matter with your" ran on
Docia; 81 never knew you to behave as you
are doing tonight"
"Nor 1, either" echoed old uncle Gadbury {;
"it is very singular to me. don't understand
it, either!'
Clarence said nothing.
II don't suppose we could geta word out of
you, if we sent the whole empire of Mogul to
beset you |" cried Docia, fretfully, as she sank
back in her chair.
Clarence still said nothing; but he turned
and looked at Damar, as if he wished to read
him through and through.
"That is exactly so, said old Mr.. Gadbury,
again Ginning in with Docia's inquisitive hu-
NOR; "you make mistake if you think Cla
renee Gadbury will blab all he knows When
he has nothing to say, he can gable inces-
sanity if he knows something, he's as dumb
as an oyster y
Clarence did not notice what his relatives
were saying. He leaned back in his chair,
and his head dropped oughtfully on his
breast He remained thus for some time, lost
in reverie, trying to connect in his mind some
obscure train of ideas as to whether he killed
Zaidee, or the fall on the stone caused her
death as to whether Damar was Mcdonald
in disguise, or whether Mcdonald was secre-
ted elsewhere in the neighborhood
Damar lost none of his hosts movements or
looks but finally, more or less absorbed by
their own feelings, the other members around
the board ceased to regard his strange beha-
vior with interest, concluding, very naturally,
that he had drank too much of the brandy
which the servant had promptly brought at
his abrupt command.
The conversation around the board became
very lively but at length the elder represen-
tative of the Gadbury family started up and
declared it was time to adjourn to the sitting
room.
"And what will we do there, more than
here? ?" said Docia, weariedly.
eve will have game Of casino, or poker
we gentlemen, I mean," said .Dalaval.
"And you will sing for us?" said Damar,
in tender tone, and with most expressive
glance.
"And will sing for your replied suscep-
tible Docia, with just enough emphasis on the
personal pronoun for his ear to catch it, and
for her to seem charming and coquettish. |