Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-08-19
An Original Stary.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE SEVENSISTERSOF YORK.
CHAPTER KIN.


the guests, Claribel was nowhere to be found
Search was made throughout the house and
grounds, but in vain. None of the family re
collected having seen her since supper Jen
ME had spoken to her when she had come in
from the lawn, and May had noticed that she
looked sad and pre-occupied, and was stand
ing apart from the rest, after Hugh had dis
appeared.
Edna, white and trembling, but preserving
her composure of manner, said that of course
she must have gone home with some Of their
friends probably the Curtises had invited
her.
"Gone without saying a word to any of US
about it! I cannot think that" said Jennie
Besides, tonight, of all nights, 1 don't be-
lieve Mrs. Curtis would have asked her."
II saw the Curtises get into their carriage
said one of the other girls, "and she certainly
was not with them"
81 never knew her to do such an odd thing
BEFORE" said Jennie. EDNA, we ought to
send all about and inquire"
"But Jennie, she certainly must have gone
with some one; what else can have become OF
her?"
"It would look rather queer to send
after all the people who have been here, and
ask if our sister is with any of them," said
Matte. 81 have no doubt we shall hear of
her in the morning"
eyes, think so toe" said Edna, resolved
not to give way to the fears which beset her.
After all, they were very intangible fears.
What could possibly be apprehended, except
that Claribel, by some unaccountable freak,
had stepped beyond the bounds of her usual
careful propriety, and chosen this most insult
able time to play practical joke upon them
all? At all events it was impossible to take
any steps but the institution ofa general search
at home, until the next morning. But the
sisters were all too disturbed to sleep, and
though after time they dispersed to their
several apartments, it was only to keep an
anxious vigil until daylight appeared.
At a very early hour Edna despatched
messengers to some of their neighbors. while
the three younger girls themselves went to ex-
plore in different directions. At the Curtis
es, Dorothea, already established in her new
home, met them at the door, astonished at
their unexpected appearance.
"Have you missed me so much that you
have come after me already ?" she asked.
"Dolly,i Clarie hereY" they all exclaimed
together, by way of reply.
"Clarie! what do you mean?"
''She isn't here, then? Haven't you seen
her?"
"When? This morning?"
"Any time since last night"
"Of course not! Isn't she at home ?"
"No-we can't find her any where"
"Good heavens How strange"
"What is the matter, my dear?" asked
Mrs. Curtis, appearing in the piazza. "Wont
you all come in ?"
Ina few words they explained their errand
to her. The good lady was full of wonder
ment; but expressed her conviction that they
would soon find their sster-she had gone off
with some of their friends without telling
them, Just with little 1un.
"But, Mrs. Curtis, Clarie never does such
things, and feel sure she wouldn't have cho-
sen an occasion of this kind for such an esca-
pade" said Jennie. BY this time the whole
family were assembled, and various were the
comments made, and the suggestions offered,
in regard to the subject.
"Perhaps she has eloped with Thornton, by
way Of creating sensation" said the doctor,
jokingly.
"Oh! she was there after he left" replied
Jennie, too earnest now to jest. "But come,
girls, we must not delay any longer-we must
60 somewhere else"
"Have you been to Virgilias house ?" asked
Lucy Curtis. "Perhaps you might find her
there"
Nobody had thought of Virgilia; and
though they all agreed that it was extremely
unlikely that Caribel should have gone to
her house, still they decided that it would be
best to 60 there at once. They had not gone
but few yards when Henry Curtis followed
them.
"Of course, I made light oft before Dolly" !"
he said; "but please tell me, are you seriously
anxious about your sister? You don't really
feel any apprehensions in regard to her safety,
do you ?"
"We cannot tell what to Think" replied
Jennie. "It seems so odd that she should
have slipped off in this mysterious way aud
yet I suppose it is impossible that anything
should have happened to her-any accident,
/ mean"
"Oh, quite impossible. You could not have
failed to become aware of it by this time.
But I'll ride over to your place, presently,
and see what news there is of her; and if she is
still absent, or her absence still unexplained,
1 shall take prompt measures to sift the mys'
terry at once. Only, don't alarm yourselves
for feel sure that she is safe somewhere"
They proceeded at once to Mr.. Holdweg's
and in answer to their summons, the latter
parsonage himself came to the door,
"Ah, dear young ladies lis it you?" he
exclaimed, extending both his hands to them
in hospitable fashion. 81 am charm to zee
you! Come in, come in!'
"Mr Holdweg, is my sister Clarie here? |?
asked Jennie, before accepting the invitation
"Your sister Caribel dear Fraulein? No.
I ave no zee her. Was she come here dis
morning?"
eve are looking for her, and don't know
where she is. We thought she might have
come home with you last night"