Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-08-05
Am 0riginal Storp.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE SEVEN SISTERS OF YORK
CHAPTER XII.


in the bedroom of Mr.. Holdweg, the German
teacher, alias Professor Graves, alias-nobody
knew what. By the light of the candle, this
worthy individual sat deeply engaged in po'
ring over some old papers, which were strewn
about on the table before him. At his elbow
lay pack of cards, and parchment scroll
covered with curious hieroglyphics, at which
he glanced from time to time.
Screened from the gaze of all observers,
and divested of his disguise, Mr.. Holdweg was
quite different looking parsonage from either
of those in whose character he had presented
himself to the public. The pale, intellectual
lineaments of the professor, and the hirsute
visage of the teacher, were replaced by a
beardless, haggard looking face, deeply marked
by lines of care, and shadowed by the impress
of consuming passions, and the wear and tear
of many a stormy passion in life. Only the
brilliant, burning eyes were the same; and
yet not quite the same, for they now wore a
restless, hungry expression, as he scanned,
with frowning brow, the mystic characters
of the scroll, and the various memoranda
jotted down in his own large, irregular hand
writing, and bearing dates, for the most part,
of several years back.
"The days are drawing near" he muttered
at length, as he pushed the papers from him,
and took up the cards. Strange that my
path does not lie clearer before me! Surely
1 cannot have read the signs wrong, all COM
biuing, as they have done, or seemed to do, to
direct my course! No, I have never been
mistaken yet. But there is stumbling block
somewhere, and it is still in the dark. Pit
falls there are, which must be avoided-but
how? Let me see again what the cards say"
He shufled them carefully, and selecting
twelve of the number, laid them aside, then
disposed of the remainder in little heaps, ar
ranged in hollow square. In the midst OF
this, be then placed the twelve chosen ones,
and performed some mysterious manipulations,
the meaning of which it would have been diff
fcult for looker-on to explain, murmuring,
at the same time, some unintelligible words,
of what appeared to be species of charm, or
spell. Then, carefully and with an unsteady
hand, he drew out the lower card of each of
the little heaps, and placed them in system
ic shape around the others.
"The ace of clubs again-always the ninth
card !' he exclaimed, in vexed tone, when
this was done. "What a wretched chance!
But for that should have no doubts-s should
feel no hesitation. Luck has always befriend-
ed me hitherto; I cannot see why it should
desert me now. And this" laying his hand
on the scroll, assures me that the consumma-
tion of my plans is at hand. Well, once
more, for the last time, will try the expert
ment, and ifit still fails"
Without finishing the sentence, he gathered
up the cards and proceeded to rearrange them
this time in different form. Again he NUT
tered his half.inaudible exhortation again
drew out the lower cards, and again the re-
suit was the same.
$50 be it," he said, sbufiing them carelessly
together, and throwing the pack aside. "On
my own responsibility I must assume the bur-
den, since Fate declines to help me- There
is no time for dilly. y.dallying-I must act, and
promptly. I know 1 can count upon the
girl; she is completely in my power. And
by the help of good luck-or the DEVIL
shall soon have him in my power ALSO
He leaned his forehead upon his hand, and
medtated long and deeply. 1t seemed, how
ever, as ifthe inspiration he wanted refused to
come. He rose and paced the chamber with
agtated, uncertain steps, his face still wear
ing its perplexed and anxious look.
"Stop!" he cried, at last, coming to sudden
stand.still as he spoke. "It is beginning to
dawn upon me now-it grows clearer by slow
degrees. The luminous star burns in the dis
tant horizon, and the mists are already fading
away. All! my purpose strengthens-as
sumes more distinct shape. Yes, yes, see
it now Perish those painted cheats that
would have led me astray! They shall de-
ceive me no more" And striding to the table
he seized them up and thrust them in the
flame of the candle, until they were almost
entirely consumed his air and look, as he did
so, resembling those of maniac rather than
of rational being. Dropping the still burn
ing fragments of pasteboard on the floor, he
trod the flame out with his foot; then pulling
out his table drawer he swept his papers into
it, reclosed and locked it, and took out the
key.
"To-morrow l take the first STEP" he ex
claimed, triumphantly. "To-morrow I secure
my confederate. She will prove an invaluable
co-worker provided 1 do not betray too much
and scare her of: Then the pretty doll, hel
sister, once brought away and placed in safe
keeping, the rest will not be difficult. My
foe shall be crushed; but before l crush him
would torture him by slow degrees-take
from him what is dearest to his soul, and lei
him pine in vain for its restoration. 1t is only
the way he has served his old sweetheart
She, by the way, will feel his fate deeply, ane
so will the young one. Well, it can't be helpec
ifthey have to suffer. must make use of eve
ry means in my power to accomplish my end
After all, have not suffered? Have no
seen my only bright prospectin life destroyed
swept away by his coldly righteous hand
What good was it to him that poor devi
should lose his only chance of getting to rights
in world which had always treated him i'll
and forced him to adopt methods of selfpres
ervation which were-well, not always exact
ly in accordance with the dictates Of the code
ofhonor! Honor-I am sick of the word, az
some read it. started in life with an ex
allied idea of this same honor; but when saw