The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-12-02
Villainy Unmasked.

Villainy Unmasked.
The nature of my profession brings me
in contact with every description Of person.
have formed through Its agency many
pleasant acquaintanceships, to which my
memory often reverts with pleasure. Some
years ago, ! became acquainted with Mr..
Norval, a wealthy merchant, who resided
in West Fortieth street. lie was widnwer,
and the only persons living with him we're
two In number, a niece and aifonly son.
Mary Norval, his niece, was beautiful
girl, about 90 years Of age when tlrst be-
came acquainted with her. She was tall,
and gracefully formed. Her hair was dark
brown, and her eyes heavenly blue
shrouded with long eyelashes, which gave
dreamy expression to her lovely, oval
face. Her complexion was white as the
driven snow, and her form was gracefully
rounded. Her neck and shoulders might
have served for model for sculptor,
they were 30 exqulsitively chiselcd. When
she moved 1t was with that undulating
grace 80 charming In the other sex.
Such was Mary Norval when l first
knew her. Had l not been married and
possessed of the best wife i'll the world,
she would have been just the woman l
would have chosen for a wife, for her
natural disposition, the cultivation Of her
mind, and the amiability of her character,
fully equalled her physical beauty. She
had so won upon her uncle's heart that he
loved her better than he did his own son.
This, however, might be accounted for
from the fact that Charles Norval was a
most dlssipated young man. He had long
ago exhausted his fathers affection for him
by dissolute life and was only permitted
by sufferance to be an inmate of his house.
One day Mr. George Norval invited me
to dine. with HIM, accepted the invitation,
and we passed very agreeable hour to-
gether at the social meal. After dinner,
being somewhat Of an invalid, my host ex-
cused himself for an hour while he went to
lie down. amused myself in the mean
time examining some illustrated works
placed on the drawing-room table. The
apartment In which was seated was only
separated from an adjoining one by folding
doors. I should have stated that Miss
Norval had also excused herself, under the
plea of having some letters to write. Left
alone to my reflections, 1 fell into o
reverie, which, l suppose ended In a doze,
for was suddenly awakened to conscious
ness by the sound of voices in the adjoining
apartment. The evening was somewhat
advanced, and consequently the noise in
the street had almost entirely ceased.
Owing to this fact heard distinctly every
word that was said. 1t was Mr. Norval's
son Charles's voice that awakened me.
''Mary, listen to me,' he exclaimed with
a peculiar thick utterance which showed
That he had been drinking: 'tyou know l
love you. Yes, dear girl, 1 adore the very
ground you walk on. Your beauty Is so
transcepdent that you appear more like a
fairy creature of the brain than human
being"
''Have done with your senseless compli-
ments, Charles" returned Mary. "Why
do you persecute mo so7 / have already
made known my decision TO you. 1t is IT.
revocable."
'Dear girl, do not say that. Oh, If you
did but know how deeply your image is
engraven on my heartl My very thought
is for you; every pulse of my heart beats
for YOU -angel-smile on mel"
''Charles you are intoxicated. How
dare you express yourself to me in this
manner?"
dearest cousin, I adore you, and by
Heaven, you shall be mine!"
II pity your condition, and / beg, sir,
you will leave my presence"
say that you love me. wonld sell my
soul for one kiss from those ruby lips. 1
could sit all day and gaze wonderingly into
those glorious orbs. Dearest-darling-
lovely Mary, be mine-be minel"
1t was evident tho young man was work
Ing hfnlself into passion Of frenzy.
'Mr. Norva), unless you leave the room
will call for assistance
''No. you shall not. it is true that you
hsve supplanted mo in my fathers love.
1t is true hat he has left you the bulk of
his fortune, while he has bestowed misera-
BILE pittance on ME. Not content with
having effected all this, you despise my
ioye--but by the great heavens above us
you shall be mine!"
could hear the rustling of silk dress,
by which | knew that Mary had arisen
from her chair, doubtless to ring the bell.
''hlary, you shall not escape me thus"
continued the young man. II repeat 1t,
you shall be mine. Dearest girl, come to
my heartfelt mo fold you to my breast. "
A half suppressed scream now reached
my ears, and heard tho infatuated young
man rush toward her. thought 1t was
high time to interfere. ! ran to the fold.
Ing doors, threw them wide open. and just
saw tho lncbrlate seize the shrinking girl
III MS grasp. When he saw ME ne loosen
ed his hold, demoniacal expression
lighted up his features, and be hurried
from the room, shaking his fist in my face
as he made his exit. caught the fainting
girl IN my arms and conveyed her to a
sofa. A fow simple rostoratives restored
her to consciousness, but 1t was some time
before could make her believe that the
danger was past.
thought 1t my duty to acquaint Mr.
Norval with the whole Transaction, that
proper means might be adopted to prevent