Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-09-16
CHAPTER V.


As regards the family romance. I have
lost q good many entertaining details
from mere neglect in writing them down
at the time But it will be long time
before forget the afternoon my Cousin
Sinfire spent with me in the laboratory
last week.
II was partly purpose and partly acci
dent. John had asked me to talk with
her in his behalf, and was not averse
from fathoming her mystery if | could
but l doubt whether anything would
have been done if hadn't happened Il
mention Saprani. The Indian name
caught her ear. and she began to ask 1t
questions. In 10 minutes had her e
sumed with curiosity At first had !.
intention Of admitting her to the sacre,.
precincts Of the laboratory. Indeed lit
human being has crossed that mys,
threshold since established my Lart
and Penates there. and least of all did
contemplate ever entertaining a wo-.-A
However, reflected that if Want
to get anythin; ont of her there could b
no place be ,er suited 10 that oyer"rle
than my laboratory. The environ Ae
would kindle her imaSiaation. and tt
disclosures could regjle her with woa.i
put her in mool to render r. Urn. !
knew her general character t1,.rIIlg
well by this Time, although the len.
lars of her prricnce We're 5, II a. li1gH
an eni as ever. and | thuC at
conld touch The rings that wor loosen
her reserve. Moreover. am uy ua.ur.
romantic. though the world may tam
otherwise. and could ina zine avery il
terestiny scene taking place in the al
chemists cave between the M .;iciaa and
the maiden.
At any rate, when | had worked her NJ
to the proper pitch of entreaty and i'm.
patience, allowed her to wiring from rie
q grudging consent to receive her in the
penetralia at certain hour. | would
have made that hour midnight had not
my regard for conventional propriety
forbidden. But the conformation of the
place enabled me to make it appear quite
as impressive at one hour of the d'y as
at another. Iappointed o'clock in the
afternoon, and she was to come at that
time secretly and alone.
Punctually to the hour. in the Ian
guage of the old romances, knock was
heard on the alchemist's door. 1t was
not timid knock; neither was it de-
fant one. It 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
tie alchemist's abode are separated from
the rest of the house. Formerly they
were accessible by the corridor COM
municating with the main hall. but at
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 fight
of stairs leading to the two upper rooms.
On his right was door giving access to
a 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
young and had q face and figure of dis
tinguished beauty. She was dressed in
O 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. II was evident thatshe came
by appointment, for the outer door and
that OF the library had been left ajar,
and she had penetrated without him
drance 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 swift glance behind her. Then
the ponderous portal swung inward
noiselessly on its hinges, and the visitor
stepped fearlessly into the room beyond.
The next moment the bolt was shot, and
che and the alchemist were alone.
docs any one know where you are?"
the latter inquired.
"Not a soulr she replied. cousin
John has ridden to town to see the sher-
iff about that 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
time"
"You have done WE'LL" returned the
alchemist approvingly. Follow me"
And he led the way toward the farther
end of the room.
The light of day was excluded from
this chamber, but the illumination of
few lamps sufficed dimly to reveal its
proportions. 1t was spacious and lofty.
The atmosphere was cooler than the ex-
terslal air and was penetrated by sub
tie perfume Of . dslicately aromatic