Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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CHAPTER V. A* regards the family romance, I have lost a good many entertaining details from mare neglect in writing them down at the time. Bnt it will be a long time before I forget the afternoon my Cousin Binfire spent with me in the laboratory last week. It was partly purpose and partly acci dent John had asked me to talk with her in his behalf, and I was not averse from fathoming her mystery if 1 could, but I donbt whether anything would have been done if I hadn't happened to mention Saprani. The Indian name caught her ear, and she began to ask me questions. In 10 minutes I had her con sumed with ourioeity. At first I had no intention of admitting her to the sacred precincts of the laboratory. Indeed no human being has crossed that mystic threshold since I established my Lares and Penates there, and least of all did 1 contemplate ever entertaining a woman. However, 1 reflected that if I wanted to get anything out of her there could be no place better suited to that operation than my laboratory. The environment would kindle her imagination, and the disclosures 1 could regale her with would put her in a mood to render a return. I knew her general character tolerably well by this time, although the particn- lars of her experience were still as much an enigma as ever, and 1 thought 1 could touch the springs that would loosen her reserve. Moreover, I am by nature romantic, though the world may think otherwise, and I could imagine a very in teresting scene taking place in the al chemist's cave between the magician and the maiden. At any rate, when I had worked her np to the proper pitch of entreaty and im patience, I allowed her to wring from me a grudging consent to receive her in the penetralia at a certain hour. I would have made that hour midnight bad 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 day as at another. I appointed 8 o'clock in the afternoon, and she was to come at that time secretly and alone. Punctually to the hour, in the lan guage of the old romances, a knock was heard on the alchemist's door. It was not a timid knock; neither was it a de fiant one. It indicated that the person who knocked was self possessed and meant to some 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 com municating with the main hall, but 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 a flight of stairs leading to the two upper rooms. On his right was a 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. It was of massive oak and turned on hinges of polished brass. It was fastened within by a heavy lock and bolt of steel The lady who sought admittance was young and had a face and figure of dis tinguished beauty. She was dressed in a thin summer costume of some delicate white fabric and wore a light silken shawl with black and yellow stripes draped over her dark hair and graceful shoulders. It was evident that she came by appointment, for the outer door and that of the library had been left ajar, andtahe had penetrated without hin drance to the final barrier. A short pause ensued, during which the young woman threw one corner of her silken shawl over her shoulder ard gave a 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 she and the alchemist were alone. “Does any one know where yon areT the latter inquired. “Not a souir she replied. “Cousin John has ridden to town to see the sher iff about that gang of burglars, and annt has gone to bed with a headache. The servants think I have gone to the cliff to read. No one will miss me-before tea- time.'' “Yon have done well," returned the alchemist approvingly. "Follow met" And he led the way toward the farther end at the room. The light of day waa excluded from this chamber, bnt the illumination of a few lamps sufficed dimly to reveal Its proportions It was spacious and lofty. The atmosphere was cooler than the ex ternal air and was penetrated by a sub tle perfume of a delicately aromatic quality. As the visitor’s eyes became accustomed to the gloom she perceived that the walls were of solid stone, left Undisguised in their naked simplicity. The ceiling appeared to be vaulted, and at the end opposite the door there was a large fireplace, with a sort of hollow ga ble built over U, giving it somewhat the aspect of a cavern. On the right of the fireplace as yon faced it there was a window in a deep embrasure, heavily curtained. On the Opposite side of the room was a sort of cabinet of dark wood fastened against the wall and glased in front with two broad sheets of plate glass. The floor at this end waa covered with a soft Indian rug of a dull reddish hue. Beneath the window stood a large table covered with a number of objects of singular shape, apparently used by the alchemist in Us experiments. Other p.^aphemalia were collected within the penthouse of the fireplace, upon the hearth of which was placed a kind of brarier, wherein flickered a pale bine flame. A low sofa or divan, furnished with silken cushions, waa so arranged aa to front partly to ward the glased cabinet and partly to ward the fireplace. Upon this divan the alchemist motioned his visitor to take her seat “Yon feel no nervousness?" he said, letting his fingers rest for a moment on her wn4. “I tael at hcms/shs naUed. “for the nm time since r left Indiar “I most be Indian then, for it is my home,” observed the other. When 1 first saw yon and heard yon yon brought India to my mind," was her answer. “No one bnt a Hindoo ever had snch black eyes as yours or so •oft s voice. You are aa different from your brother as Calcutta is from Lin colnshire." “I have two brothers," said he. “But Henry is not like you either." “A connecting link perhaps. Ha is haxel eyed, with curly chestnut heir. I wish you could see hfm." i “1 can imagine what be is. I bars seen his portrait He does not explain you. But the Buddhists believe that the souls of the dead live again in snch bodies as Karma appoints for them. Perhaps yon were a Hindoo in your for mer state." “And Saprani was the queen of my heart! Well, she would hardly have been more beautiful aa an Indian prin cess than she is now. A serpent is the only thing fit to be compared with a woman r “Most women might not think that a compliment.” “But yon are not like most women. Sinfire.” “Introduce me to Saprani,” said the visitor, leaning forward and clasping her slender hands on her knees. The alchemist rose from the divan and advanced toward the glazed cabinet He wore a long dark tunic confined at the waist and falling to his feet On his head was a cap somewhat after the fash ion of a Turkish fez. Standing in front of the cabinet he drew from his girdle a long slender wand and tapped with it several times on the glass which protect ed the left hand division of the cabinet The light from the brazier, mingling with the red rays from a colored lamp depending by a chain from the ceiling, shone faintly into the interior of the cage and revealed something moving there with s slow and stealthy motion. Gradually this object approached the glass and partly reared itself np against it It displayed the head and glistening black neck of a magnificent cobra, its sides spotted with gold. The alchemist touched a pulley, and the glass rose up ward like a window, leaving the front of the cage open. He then retired three or four paces, keeping his eyes fixed upon the serpent, and crouched noiselessly down upon the carpet until he squatted upon his heels. Meanwhile the cobra remained motion less in the cage, with its head lifted. The alchemist now drew from the folds of his robe a short instrument of cylin drical shape, pierced with holes after the manner of a flute. It was made of ebony and highly polished and was decorated with bits of red coral and pendants of sparkling crystal. It was a toumril. brought from India and used by the ser pent charmers in their incantations. Raising it to his lips, he drew from it soft and plaintive sounds, pleasing to the ear, yet differing in some essential respects from the mnsic of the west The sounds gradually grew loader, though never losing their soft, insinuat ing quality, until the vault of the cham ber seemed to resound with echoes of soothing potency. At the first notes the cobra had changed its position, tnrning its head toward the player. As the mnsic continued a slow continaous shifting was observable throughont its glistening coils. The for ward part of its body was pushed beyond the edge of the cage and held poised in the air. the head and neck still upright Then the long, tapering form, still stead ily nncoiling, sank toward the floor in sliding undulations, writhing rhythmic ally forward in harmony with the sweet throbbing of the Ante. As it retted with its jet black scales and golden spots upon the dull red carpet in the dim light—or seemed to rest, for it was never still—it was a beautiful yet terrible symbol of sensuous delight—the subtile pleasure that bears within It the poison of death. Onward glided Saprani. Onward glided Saprani, her lustrous sides tense with voluptuous longing, while the toumril warbled loader and loader, and the coral and crystal pend ants sparkled red and white, and the player swung his body from side to side In lha mystic raptor* of the melody. And now Saprani's head rose in the air, and her body coiled beneath until half her sinuous grace was lifted above the floor and waved to and fro like the waving of reeds in the brefae that breathes upon the hanks of Indian rivers. Her bright •yea sparkled and the dark membranous hood expanded on either side of her deli cate and deadly jaws. Drunk—drunk •he was with the keen intoxication of the thrilling mnsic! The notee died away, the tonmril left the player's lips, and Saprani sank nerve less on the Indian carpet Then with gentle, caressing tones he spoke to her and drew her toward him with his hands. She yielded herself, obedient and droop ing. He lifted her and laid her softly about his neck. Her chilly coils touched his cheek, and her head, drowsy and dead ly, hung down upon his forehead. The eharmer turned to his visitor, looked in her eyes and smiled. Daring this scene had neither spoken nor moved. She «tm toned forward with clasped hands ana gaze intent. Bnt as the spell of the incantation sub sided she drew a (loop breath, answered hie smile and murmured, “Yea. you have conquered death." "You must often have seen stranger sights in India,” said be, carefully un winding the somnolent cobra from his neck. “The masters of the art are there. I am an amateur only and self taught.” “Snch power cannot be taught,” re plied the girl “Yon were born Saprani's master, and she recognize* you." “Bnt I can delegate the power,” said the other. "Saprani la the Mend of all who are Mends to me." "Is she my friend?” asked the girl in a low voice. “That is known to you better than to me," was the reply. She threw hack her silken shawl, and stretching ont her firm round arm laid her hand unhesitatingly upon Saprani's folds as she lay in her master's arms. Bnt the queen of serpents was not so deep in slumber or in apathy as she seemed. At the touch of that slender hand a strong quiver ran through her, aa a woman might shudder at the con tact of eomething she feared or hated. Bnt with Saprani to hate was to resent Swiftly as the eye could follow the move ment her black neck rose and drew hack and was launched forward again at Sin- fire’s unprotected bosom. But swifter yet was the movement of the charmer’s hand, which caaght the an gry cobra just below the head and with held the fatal stroke. The next moment Saprani was in her cage, and the screen of glass had slid into its place. Then the charmer returned to his visiter. She had risen to her feet As be came toward her she laughed lightly, but laid her hand over her heart. “Yon were not touched?" he asked qnickly. “No, bnt in that moment 1 made a long journey—away and back again. Death is a remote country—to be so near! Well, Saprani does not seem to believe in our friendship. Cousin Frank.” “1 will not ask yon to forgive her. I need all your forgiveness for myself for having exposed yon to snch a danger.” “Yon saved my life, and life is per haps the most formidable of dangers,” she replied, smiling again. “But I thank you none the less. And Saprani is a su perb creature. 1 hear her no grudge She is jealous of her master.” “She has shown that 1 am not her master. I shall not need the hint a sec ond time.” “Perhaps she perceives some harm to yon in onr acquaintance which you and X are still unconscious of. They are mys terious beings—serpents!" "Nothing but good can come from yon to me, Sinfire, though yon are more mysterious than Saprani." “I mysterious? Oh, Cousin Frank, yon wish to make game of me!" “Yon are'a mystery from your name onward,” he repeated, taking her hands in his and looking in her eyes. “Yon are noconsinof mine. Yonr ancestors hod been civilized a thonsand years when ours were eating shellfish and shooting flint arrows on the lagoons of Europe. 1 speak as a scientific man, as an ethnolo gist and a physiognomist Sinfire, yon are a gypsy!" As he said the last words the man of science felt the pnlse leap in her deli cate wrists. These organic symptoms cannot easily be controlled, though, on the othor hand, nothing is easier than to misinterpret them. She instantly laughed and said: “Yon are a wizard! I have al ways thought there mnst be Romany blood in me. And I can tell fortunes.” There was no tremor in her voice, nor did the color deepen in her cheeks. Bnt the wizard resolved to try bis Inck once more. “My brother knows more abont gyp sies than 1 do,” he said. “He once lived among them for several mouths. If you are interested in them, you might learn much from him.” “He has lived among thorn!" she ex claimed. “He never told me so And 1 thought." she added, with what seemed the lightest intonation of irony, 'that he had told me all he knew.” Poor Johnl This did not promise well for the chances of Sinfire beueming Mrs. Mainwaring. Bnt this assurance that wealth and ambition were not what Sin- fire sought only tended to substantiate th* theory that was doubtfully taking form in the wizard's mind. He now pro ceeded to spring his trap, perceiving that he should take her wholly at unawares. ' “We are not speaking of the same per son,” he said. “1 expect him here in a few days.” “Yon expect—whomT “My brother, Henry Mainwaring." “Ah!” said Sinfire in a low tone. Bnt her hands turned cold and slipped from her companion’s clasp. After all, I am still in donbt. Bnt henceforth who shall dare affirm that Dr. Frank Mainwaring is not romantic? fro VC CONTINUED.) What is Life Assurance? An easy means of secur ing your wife and' family against want in the event of your death. A creditable means of se curing a better financial standing in the business world. The most safe and profit able means c? investing your savings for use in after years. All Life Insurance is good. The Equitable Life is the best Far tall particulars, nddrasa W. sL RODDEY, Manager, CAROUNAS, Rock Hill, S. C- A Solid Oak Suit of Ton Pieces for $35.00! Biggest Value in\the}Countvy. IfOB’S TURKEY had to lean against the fence to gobble—You can gobble a great bargain by buying this suit of ten pieces for viJ $35, and lean upon our guarantee that you have gotten big value. We believe in variety. New designs please better than old. Strong Furniture is better than poorly made. The stylish and neat better than the common. For all good kinds come to us. We have it that is beautiful, durable, stylish, new and at prices that are extremely low. ‘P. S.—You will find me next to the Jail."^* J.D. BHIRD. The Darlington Shoe Store We are receiving daily our stock of Shoes for the Fall and Winter! [MEN’S, LADIES’, MISSES and CHILDREN’S] And beg an inspection of the same when in need of nice Footwear. Our stock is bought in large quantities direct from the very best manufacturers, which ensures new fresh goods, and we propose to sell them at a very small margin. We call special attention to our $3.00 Shoe for Men, made by the ROCKLAND Company; genuine calf, Goodyear welt, all styles in congress and lace. Rubber Goods of every description, consisting of Mackintosh Garments for Ladies and Men, also a complete line of Rubber Shoes for Men, Boys, Ladies, Misses and Children. We sell the MARVEL RUBBER iSYcWbII^' ILS, UMBRELLAS AND SHOE FINDINGS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. NEWEST STYLE HATS. TRUNKS, VALISES, SATCHELS, Sep 14—4m XVoods db ]VXillin^. IVhen all the World's on M/heels There'll be no sorrow here below— is NOW A complete line of every thing usual to a first-class Hardware Store. Also a full line of For all the world’ll be happy, and there will be health and good digestion every where and the best part of the world will ligficilM kpluuts, Iigiim' Sifjlisa, Mur?, Sim ride Attenion Mechanics! All persons in need of babbitt metal can purchase it aheap at th* Dab uhotoh News office. For Columbias are sound, one-priced, beau tiful to look upon, of lasting durability. STEEL vs. STEED l There’s more economy in steel than horse flesh—no oats, no stable, no stableman— the world’s a-wheeling—saving money, gaining healthfulness, enjoying the best of recreation. The Columbia Bicycle is made for those who appreciate standard quality backed by excellence. Folks who know bicycle buy Columbias. For descriptive circulars and terms, address J. D. BAIRD & CO., DARLINGTON, S. C. Agents for Darlington County. July 20—3m A.3SJTD TUSTWAR-E, And will sell at the very lowest prices for cash. Tinning, Roofing & Plumbing OctC—tf .A. SIPEd-A-I/T-ST. Insure Your Property WITH F. E. Who represents the m\ m MCE CMS n TEE MID! Satisfaction Guaranteed. Wjpreeents Twelve First- class Companies. September 11,1890. W. WITCOYER Wishes to inform the public that he 'to* opened in the ALEXANDER BUILDING next door to Sanders' butcher shop, where he is prepared to pay the high est cash prices possible for all kinds of Country Prodnce and Furs of all kinds, such as Otters, Minks, Coons. Foxes, Wildcats, Muskrats, possums, os well os Cowhides, Sheep, id. Goat and Doer skins, etc. Also Beeswax and Wool. Highest prices paid for poultry, eggs, and au c.> intry produce. Final Notice. OTICE Is hereby given that I have filed my final return as Ldininletrator of the Estate of Wil liam Blackman, deceased. In the office of the Judge of Probate of Darling ton county, and shall apply on the 26th day of Oetober next, for Letters Dismissory. J. E. BLACKMAN, Sept 28—it Adnur. Notice. nnHE County Board of I. will meet in DarL- H., Friday and Saturday, and 28 of October, x 1 who wish to tea Oofi—3t &