Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-05-18

dlnerent cause. ......
"Heavens p I, interrupted, in an agitated
tone, "what coincidence |" ..
"What do you mean, my sonY' asked the
hermit.
"Your story is almost exactly similar to
one I know Of" said I "but pray proceed" "
"I shall not detain you long," said the her
NIT; "these reeollections are so painful to me
that I willingly hurry over them. On the
very evening after had won Clara's reluc'
tant consent, as I was riding toward Adlerfsls,
I met my brother returning home. Whittier
he had been did not then know, but re.
marked that he looked pale and excited, and
made no answer to my passing greeting"
"Your brother7" said I. You did not
mention him before"
ibid not? He was younger than I, a
gentle and studious youth, who passed his life
chiefly at home among his books, and took
little part in outdoor sports. loved him
T believed in him. Alas !! my son, We are of:
ten deceived in this worldl Theodor, as /
have said, passed me without answering my
CAV salutation. fancied he had not heard
me, and rode on without suspicion that aught
was amiss Clara received me calmly, though
without effusion. forced myself to be con.
tent with this, trusting to time to increase the
warmth of her affection for me. A. month
elapsed. Her manner continued unaltered, but
the Count, her father, was unbounded in bis
kindness to me. He also assured me that bis
daughters heart was mine, and that it was
but her natural reserve which prevented her
manifesting her feelings to their full extent.
Meantime saw little of Theodor, who seemed
to be continually absent; but I was too much
occupied with my own affairs for this unusual
circumstance to excite much surprise in my
mind.
A day was finally fixed for my marriage.
No sooner had the decision been made than l
hastened to apprise my brother Of the fact.
"Congratulate me, Theodor,' said l., for I
shall soon be the happiest of men,
"I thought he rejoined, with singular
smile, that you were already go
."I am, indeed, happy said I, but my felic'
ity will be still more assured when Clara's
hand, as we'll as her heart, is in my keeping.
al rejoice that the consummation of your
hopes is so near at hand said my brother
As he spoke, he abruptly left me, and saw
him no more that day. 1 wondered a little al
his want of courtesy, remarkable in one
whose manner was usually so gentle and full
of kindly sympathy as his, but soon ceased tc
think of it. My thoughts were engrossed
With the one allabsorbing subject, my ap
preaching marriage. ......... ..
"The day came. We we're to be married in
chapel adjoining the estate Of Adlerfels, by
an aged priest who had known me, and my
father before me, from early childhood, and
who felta warm interest in my welfare. When
the hour arrived for me to set out, I looked
for Theodor to accompany me, but he was no
where to be found. supposed that he had
gone on ahead of me, intending perhaps to
ride more leisurely than should, and thought
no more Of it. repaired to the chapel. Il
was decorated, for the ceremony, with gar
lands of flowers, and wore festive air. The
priest was already in waiting, for the hour was
near at hand, and the guests had begun to as
semble. I looked impatiently in the direc
ton of the Counts dwelling, but saw no sign
of any one approaching US. Time wore on
the appointed hour came and passed, but still
my bride and her attendants tarried. In an
agony of restless suspense, I paced the little
vestry to and fro. I would have fastened to
Adlerfels, which was but quarter of mile
distant, to discover the cause of the delay, but
the priest advised me to be patient, reminding
me that on these occasions the lady was sell
dom punctual to disappointment. Atlength
however, my uneasiness increased to such q
degree that I could no longer brook the de-
lay, and was on the point Of starting of
when the Count himself appeared, in state
of excitement bordering on frenzy. He was
alone.
"Clara," I gasped.
"Name her not p he exclaimed, wildly,
"she has betrayed us-unworthy that she is
she has fed"
"Fled land with whom? ?"
"Your brother" was his reply.
I knew no more. A sort Of madness seized
me, and I fell insensibe to the ground.
"On my recovery, FASTENED in pursuit Of
the treacherous pair, whom I tracked, with
considerable difficulty, to a certain obscure
town in valley not far distant. On my feel
ings at that juncture I cannot, dare not, dwell.
They were of nature too fierce and revengeful
for me even to remember now without q
shudder. was, I believe, temporarily in.
sane. So horrible tumult had never before
been stirred up in my breast. Never had |
been conscious of the existence of such pas
sions as were now brought into play. Passing
all obstacles that lay in my way, reached
the inn where my faithless betrothed-now
the bride of Theodor-and her bridegroom
had taken refuge. All unsuspicious of my
approach, they were seated together in an up
per apartment, whose windows hung directly
over q stream which flowed beneath. There
was no one in the house, beside themselves,
but the landlady, an honest country dame,
who, with simple con6dence,directed me where
to find them. / sscended the stairs alone,
softly opened the door, and entered. I saw
Clara-my Clara a--encircled in Theodor's arm,
while be whispered protestations of love in her
willing ear. The sofa on which they sat was
turned from the door, and they did not perceive