Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-22

Va ~>SoF
ing up such miserable sham? Hugh Thorn
ton was at our house two days ago. did not
see him; I was up in my ROOM"
"Does Claribel receive him when he comes?
"No; lately she has kept out of the way.
Built is likely they may meet at other times"
You are sure then that she returns bis
love?"
eyes, am sure of it now. I thought dif'
ferently at first.
"What pity that she was at home when
Mr. Thornton returned from Europe. II she
could only have been absent on little visit
somewhere, and left the coast clear tor your
eldest sister,"
"But that was precisely the case; she was
away for ten days after he came"
"Was that so? You see, mean FrduIean'
sheis undoubtedly the more beautiful of the
two and man, rowing man, seeks ever the
fairest flowers
"Yes, that is their creed" said Virgilia, in
scornful tone. "Constancy is never their
motto"
"They leave the nober virtues to your sex,
dear lady. But your forsaken sster-does she
turn against Claribel?"
"No-she simply avoids her, or rather the
avoidance is mutual. Claribel keeps out of
her way, and shuts herself up good deal in
her chamber. When they meet they are out
wardly the same as usual. Our life at home,
is like play upon the stage, everything on
the surface; the real life hidden under pre-
tence, which must be put away before long"
"These pretences are sometimes necessary.
Fate compels US to assume them"
II abhor pretence. Why does not Hug
Thornton say at once, boldly, what his feelings
are, instead of lowering about Edna, as if he
still cared for her, while all the time she, and
everybody, know that his heart is Clari-
bel's?"
"It is difficult thing" said Mr.. Holdweg,
smiling, "for man to say boldly that he is
faithless to one lady, and ask her permission
to wed another"
"Then why does he not 60 away? Oh! l
hate him He is coward-a faithless, per-
jured coward. He is not worthy of Edna.
But if she cares for him, I would shed my
hearts blood to win him back to her."
"You have strong feelings, mien FrauIein."
"Yes. I can love, and I can hate, with all
my heart. But l cannot sham either"
II, too, can hate" said her teacher, in
lower tone "And strange to say, in this case
my sentiments coincide with yours. 1 cor
daily hate Mr.. Hugh Thornton"
"You~ said Virgilia, looking up in sur
prise.
eyes. surprise you, I see. Expected
should. You were not aware, were you, that
my acquaintanceship with Mr. Thornton is
one of long standing2"
"No. I did not know you had ever met
him before you came to live here.'
II met him years ago, in Italy. Let me see
how many--four, 6ve-.no, seven seven
years ago. He did me an i'll turn then, which
I have never forgotten. I do not easily for
get. One of these days I shall recompense
him for it,"
"It is strange that he has never mentioned
you" said Virgilia.
mo. All things considered it is not very
strange. will give you a little explanation,
presently, of my words. You were saying
just now, mien Frdulein, that you abhorred
pretence."
eyes, do"
"But suppose it we're necessary for per-
sons safety-or for some other equally good
purpose-that he should assume temporary
disguise, would you abhor that, too?"
Virgilia looked at him earnestly. Some
thing in the expression of his face struck her
with a curious feeling of recognition, yet of
whom or what, she could not tell. He saw
her start slightly, and smiled at her with
friendly air, to re-assure her.
"Dear Fraulein, do not be uneasy" he said,
in gentle voice. II am not bandit in dis
guise I will do you no HARM
"You were not speaking of yourself, then p
II did not quite say that, either. Look
you; do not remind you of some one whom
you have seen ?"
Yes-but-Oh Mr.. Holdweg, please do
not mystify me any more" cried Virgilia,
turning pale as she spoke, and partially rising
from her chair, for vague feeling Of terror
was beginning to take possession of her.
"What do you mean?'
81 mean that have secret" replied her
teacher, "and l am going to make you the
recipient of it. know that you cannot be-
tray me. See here" and he lightly touched
his long shaggy beard, "this comes off, and my
bushy hair too-presto! DO you know me
now?"
But Virgilia had hidden her face and
screamed as he had removed the false beard,
and would not look up.
"Dear Miss Vaughan" said the cidevant
Mr.. Holdweg, speaking perfectly gooi Eng
lish, and in quite different tone, "why should
you yield to such unreasonable fears? Look
at me and assure yourself of my Identity"
Timidly, tremblingly, Virgilia raised her
eyes.
Professor Gravesw she exclaimed, in deep
surprise.
Hush breathe it softly. There is no one
near, or should not have ventured on this
erpost at present. But must not venture
too much; must don my hairy ornaments
again, lest some unlucky chance should be-
tray me- There now am the musty, fusty
old German teacher again"
"But Why" faltered Virgilia in bewilder.
ment. He interrupted her, smiling.