Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-08-06
CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER v.
As regards the family romance, 1
have lost good many entertaining
details from mere neglect in writing
them down al the time. But IL will be
long time before I forget the after
noon my Cousin Sinfre spent with me
in the laboratory last week.
1t was partly purpose and partly &C
cident. John had asked me TO talk
with her in his behalf, and l was not
averse from fathoming her mystery II
could, but doubt whether anything
would have been done IL hadn't hap
pened to mention Saprania The In
dian name caught her ear, and she be-
gan to ask me questions. In 10 min
utes had her consumed with curios-
ity. At first had no intention OF ad-
hitting her TO the sacred precincts OF
the laboratory. Indeed no human
being has crossed that mystic thres :
hold since l established my Lares and
Penates there, and least Of all did
contemplate ever entertaining wo-
man,
However, reflected that II wanted
to get anythingNout of her there could
be no better place suited TO that oper-
alton than my laboratory. The envir-
onmept would kindle her imagination,
and the disclosures l could regale her
with would put her in mood to render
return. / knew her general CHAR
acter tolerably we'll by this time, al
though the particulars OF her exper-
fence were still as much an enigma as
ever. and thought / could touch the
springs that would loosen her reserve.
Moreover, am by nature romatlc,
though the world may think otherwise,
and could imagine a very interesting
scene taking place in the alchemists
cave between the magician and the
maiden.
At any rate, when I had worked her
I'D to the proper pitch Of entreatY and
impatience, l allowed her to wiring
from me q grudging consent to receive
her in the penetralia at certain hour.
l would have made that hour mid
night had not my regard for convent
ional proprlety forbidden. But the
conformation Of the place enabled me
TO make 1t appear quite as impressive
at one hour of the day as at another.
l appointed o'clock in the afternoon,
and she was TO come at that time Sc
cretly and alone.
Punctually to the hour, in the Ian
guage of the old romances, a knock was
heard on the alchemst's door. 1t was
not timid knock; neither was 1t de-
fiant one. II indicated that the person
who knocked was self possessed and
meant TO come In.
The rooms in the right wing OF the
Cedarcliffe mansion which constitute
the alchemist's abode are separated
from the rest OF the house. Formerly
they were accessible by the corridor
communicating with the main hall, cut
at a later date the extremity OF this
corridor was walled up, and the four
rooms thus isolated could be entered
only from out doors, Passing through
the outer portal, the visitor would see
before him flight of stairs leading to
the two upper rooms. On his right
was door giving access to q small
library. In the partition wall OF this
library between two bookcases was
another door which few persons had
the privilege OF passing. 1t was Of
massive oak and turned on hinges Of
polished brass. 1t was fastened within
by heavy lock and bolt OF steel.
The lady who sought admittance was
youhg and had face and figure OF dis
tinguished beauty. She was dressed In
a thin summer costume OF some delicate
white fabric and wore light silken
shawl with black and yellow stripes
draped over her dark hair and graceful
shoulders. 1t was evident that she
came by appointment, for the outer
door and that OF the library had been
ajar, and she had penetrated without
hindrance to the final barrier.
A short pause ensued, during which
the young woman threw one corner Of
her silken shawl over her shoulder and
gave a swift glance behind her. Then
the ponderous portal swung inward
noislessly on its hinges, and the visitor
stepped fearlessly into the room beyond.
The next moment the bolt was shot,
and she and the alchemist were alone.
"Does any one know where you
are?" the latter inquired.
"Not a soul" she replied, "Cousin
John has ridden TO town 10 see the
sheriff about the gang Of burglars, and
aunt has gone to bed with headache.
The servants think have gone to the
cliff to read. No one will miss me
before tea-tme."
You have done WE'LL" returned the
alchemist approvingly. "Bollow mel"
And he led the way toward the farther
end of the room.
The light ofdsy was excluded from
this chamber, but the illumination OF
few lamps sufiiced dimly TO reveal its
proportions. 1t was spacious and lofty.
The atmosphere was cooler than the
external air and was penetrated by a
subtle perfume Of dellcately aromatic
quality. As the visitors eyes became
accustomed TO the gloom she perceived
that the walls were OF solid stone,
left undisguised In their naked sim
pioity. The ceiling appearkd TO be
vaulted, and at the end opposite the
door there was large fireplace, with a
sort Of hollow gsble-built over IL Civ
ing it somewhat the aspect OF q cav
ern.
On the right OF the fireplace as you
faced It there was a window in a deep
embrasure, heavily curtained. On the
opposite side OF the room WAS q sort OF
cabinet ofdark wood fastened against
the wall and glazed IN front with two
broad sheets of plate glass. The floor
at this end was covered with soft
Indian rug Of dull reddish hue. Be
meath the window stood large table
covered with anumber Of objects OF
singular shape, apparently used by the
alchemlst 10 his experiments Other
uaraphernaliG were collected within
- 'n..Lnnan % the hranlaca unon