Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-09-02
An @riginal Sturg*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE SEVEN SISTERS OF YORK
CHAPTER XVI.

met him at the door, and in courteous, but de-
cided terms, expressed his regret that his wife
was too unwell to hold any communication
with him that day. ..
"It is matter of vital Importance to me, y
said Hugh, much agitated. II would detain
her but few moments, if might be permit
ted to see her."
"Ah l am so sorry-so sorry, dear sir
would that could oblige you-but indeed
mein Frau cannot be disturbed; she is resting
now, after very sleepless night" .a
"Is she then ill ?" asked Hugh, with more
impatience than sympathy.
"Not i'll, but in restless, feverish state
she shows symptoms which do not like; her
nerves, you know, dear sir, are so-so-what
you call him? High-strung- is SO dis
tressed by all this melancholy affair"
when can see her ?" interrupted Hugh,
having no leisure to discuss the state of Vir-
gilia's nerves, and thinking in his heart that
she was selfish, detestable creature, and her
husband, if possible, even more so than herself.
Mr.. Holdweg spread out his hands with a
deprecating GESTURE. "How can l tell? To-
morrow, perhaps-or if you will write to her
you can leave line now, if you please"
"No," said Hugh, savagely. "I'll not
write-I must speak to her myself: l have an
important reason for wishing for personal
interview. Can you tell me"
He stopped, not knowing how much or how
little this disagreeable foreigner might really
know of the state of affairs; unwilling to
take him, in any degree, into his confidence,
yet longing to elicit the merest grain Of in
formation which might help him in his quest.
Mr. Holdweg stood regarding him with pa
tient air, yet with look of keen, furtive in
quiry from beneath his shaggy brows-a look
in which gleam of malignant triumph was
mingled. Hugh, suddenly raising his own
eyes, after standing for moment in gloomy
meditation, encountered this glance. He
started, and returned it with one as search
ing Asudden suspicion seemed to have flashed
across him ; but the next moment it faded
beneath the bland and stolid composure which
the aspect of the other imperceptibly resumed,
and the recollection of his troubles returned,
in full force to his mind, banishing all other
thoughts.
81 regret, exceedingly, that I cannot see
your wife now" he said; "and since it will be
useless to remain, 1 must, at once take leave
of you. Good afternoon"
"Good afternoon, dear sir-I am 80 sorry"
said Mr.. Holdweg, politely, as he opened the
gate for him to pass out. When he was gone
be returned to the parlor, and INDUCED in q
saturnine laugh.
"Your discontinue is sweet to my soul, my
friend" he said aloud, in tone Of great en-
joyment. II am playing with you now as a
cat does with mouse-but you have not felt
the sharpness of my claws yet. But if you 60
to jump too far, the final crack will GOMEZ"
X
On that same afternoon, two ladies sat in
the parlor of plain but comfortable house in
the suburbs of Columbia. One, an elderly
matron dressed in black, was busy with some
knitting. Her companion, Notwithstanding
girl, with a bright and pleasing face, was
leaning idly on her elbow, gazing into the fire.
"How silent you are, Octavia," said the
former, in German, after considerable time
had elapsed without either of then saying
word. "What has become of your tongue
this evening? 1t is usually active enough"
"Oh mother, feel so worried about that
poor girl upstairs" rejoined Octavia, in the
same language, with a troubled look. Il
wish we might bring her down here"
my dear, that would be impossible. You
know the gentleman said he would not answer
for the consequences, if she was not allowed to
remain in perfect quiet"
eff we could only understand what she
saysp' continued Octavia. II thought my
self tolerable English scholar, but she is so
incoherent she quite puzzles me; besides, am
afraid to question her much"
certainly ; with all our sympathy We can
do but little for her, but take care of her un-
til the gentleman returns. | confess l am
anxious for him to come for her. 1t is great
responsibility having her in the house"
it would have appeared so unkind."
"surely, my child, we must always aid our
fellow creatures in distress. That Herr Wag-
ner was most gentlemanly person; and their
condition was truly deplorable. strangers,
having lost everything by that railroad acci-
dent, and the poor girl in such a melancholy
state of mind"
"Well, he said he would be back tomorrow,
at the latest, you know. Oh! mother, listen,
listen! What is that?"
1t was cry from chamber above-a low,
melancholy wall, fraught with heart-rending
appeal for help and sympathy. The elder
lady started up, nervously.
"Oh! Octie, what must I do? 1 don't
think could do any mischief by just going
to the door-if I looked in, you know, to see
what was the matter"
eyes, mother, go-go at once. Perhaps
she needs something. May l come with
you?'
mo, child, no-I'll call you if need you.
Remember, you were especially cautioned
against going near her." She hurried off,
leaving her daughter walking restlessly about,
for Octavia had jumped up in distress at the
sound of that appealing cry from above, and
seemed ready to fly to answer it, in spite of
all obstacles.
81 am not half satisfied that mother did
right in promising to keep that poor thing
49,. -, ,nt;l tho mon rame hack she solilo-