Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-25
HOW DID SHE KNOW?

mOnu. Tglnla. Inc quaint old town SIT
ting by its river seemed TO me 50 comfort
able that il had tempted me 10 suspend my
travels southwark and linger there for
awhile. used 10 sit many hours in my
sunny room and idly look out upon the
street and upon the houses opposite. They
were three-StOry dwellings, with a Veranda
on the first floor; cosy places with home
like appearances
Particularly was my attention taken by
the occupants Of the corner hOuse-the
house OF Judge Pace. 1 came 10 know
just when that gentleman used to start
down 70 his office, and Just when he went
for his daily ride or drive. He had been
an officer in the Confederate army and
had been famed at the battle of FAIR
Oaks.
He was a typical Southerner in appear
ance, swarthy, with a nigh nose. a tall,
narrow head, bushy moustache and a
pointed beard, his cheeks smooth shaver.
He must have been past middle age when
the war was raging, for now, notwith-
standing his erect shoulders, his white
hair and beard and deeply-lined face indi-
Gated that he was nearly seventy.
1t was on Wednesday, in the third
week Of my stay, that. as l sat sewing at
my window. l became aware that some
note Of preparation had sounded over Op-
posite. The aspect of the house seemed
eXpectant. The curtains and inner blinds
Of the middle story front room were drawn:
and those windows had been constantly
daTkened since l had been in Richmond.
Two or three times within half an hour
the Judge had come to the door and looked
down the street with anxious eagerneSS.
He left the outer door open and l could
see him pacing back and forth in the hall.
AT last a close carriage came quickly
and drew up at the door. Judge Pace
walked down the steps bareheaded, with
a sudden calmneSs in bis appearance.
He opened the carriage door and an ell
DERBY but actiyely-mOying woman alighted
first, and then drew back. allowing the
Judge to lean into the carriage with both
hands extended; could see that his face
was pale with some emotion.
Slowly another figure emerged from the
carriage, a feminine figure dressed in a
long velvet cloak and wearing a bonnet,
from which streamed a veil which was
thrown back from her face.
Judge Pace gave the lady his arm. AS
she turned from the carriage to the steps
L saw her face and was absolutely star
tied bysits pallOr and its beauty. 1t was
glimpse only Of high-bred features death
" pale, and OF abundant light hair. There
seemed depression, melancholy in her
manner, or was it my fancy that made me
think so:
" men llE LfFB udQ IEdClEA LLt NAN the
Judge turned and drew his companion TO-
ward him, stopped and kissed her on one
cheek and then on tn other. She.received
his greeting in an entirely Indifferent and
passive manner.
What was she to him, his daughteror his
wife? He evidently had the right to sa-
lutte her thus.
At the dinner-table that night. when all
had left but my hostess. Mrs. Burns. and
myself, l asked her who had come to Judge
PAGES that day. l had been so interested
that l INDUCED myself in this question.
His daughter has been brought home"
was the answer.
''Why do you say 'brought"" 1 in
quired. Has she not come home? Is
there any history about her, and may l
know it?"
1T is short and sad enough" was the
reply. ''She has been insane now for
years. She was at one time so violently
so that she was taken to an asylum, where
she has remained until now. She has be-
come quiet and it is said that there is no
danger of any more violence. Judge Pace
decided to bring her home with the attend
ant who has been with her so long. Poor
man. l was sorry for him to-day. In
spite of his reason and judgment, he had
hoped SidOnie would manifest some plea.
sure at coming home. But no. she was
She seemed to know tlat she was at home,
to know her father, but not to be moved
in the least by the knowledge
After a moments silence | asked: "Did
YOU say it was trouble which disturbed
her mind? Can you tell me about it,"
Eyes, it was trouble. 1 can give you
an outline Of the story; it is not long
one. 5idonie-she was named for her
French gTandmOther-Was to marry a dis
tant cousin, Everard Adams. They had
been engaged from children almost and
were thoroughly attached to each other.
She was in the flush of early WOmanhoOd,
but girl still possessing a remarkable
power Of will and feeling. Her betrOthed
was Northern in birth and sentiment. He
belonged in Massachusetts, and was there
when the first enllStments began. He
Joined the Twelfth Massachusetts,. Col.
Fletcher WebsteT's regiment, and he wrote
to Sidonie Of what he had done. What the
letter was l don't know, but l know the
note she sent in reply, and it will give you
an idea of what she used to be-a woman
for a man to live and die for.
81 regret unspeakably,' she wrote,
what you have done, but l love you and
would be your wife even though, instead
of living up &c principles L deplOre, you
were traitor TO all the world. Having
once given my love, l cannot take it back
with the same mail went to Everard
from SidOnie's father a scathing letter.
To that the young man did not reply, but
he wrote to Sid0nie and feryently assured
her Of his love and faithfulness. After
that there was silence, while war ragged
over the land. Between Sidonie and her
father was painful GOODNESS,
after the battle of Antietam there
reached Judge PAGES house late one night
a colOred man who had once been Ever
ards servant. He bore the news that
young Adams had been killed on the field
of Antietam. He told this abruptly to
Sidonie, who, with an old cOlored woman,
was in the house, Judge Pace being away
with his regiment.
''SidOnie stared at the black a moment,
then, with a hard laugh, she declared the
news was lie. Everard was not dead
he could not die without coming to her
first. She could find him-such love q
hers could find him on any battlefield.
There was no one there who had any
authority over her. She succeeded in
leaving the hOuse-she actually made her
way to that horrible field. The dead had
been buried, the wounded cared for. but
the place was dreadful still. 1t was there
that some kind officer, seeing how insane
she was, took charge Of her. Judge Pace
came home long enough to arrange for his
daughters safety. Sometimes she has
had an excess of fury, but that was long
ago. Her mania never has varied on the
principal pOint-that her lover is not dead;
that he could not die without seeing her
again. On other topics she does not seem
insane, only entirely Indifferent, without
interest in anything. She still maintains
that cold attitude toward her father,
whose heart seems broken. He lost his
wife at the birth Of Sidonie, and his child
has taken all his love nd care"
When l went to mJ Dom after hearing
this story the blinds the second floor
were not closed and NV a figure walk
'ng about slowly, ever moment passing
ntO tire glare of the aslights-a tall,
ender figure, which 1T this distance
emed to have all the grace and supple
Less Of youth. Fair was the face, proud
and sweet as it came into the light. Surely
she could not have been so beautiful in
youth as now. Perhaps the insanity which
had come upon her had IN some mysteri-
GUS way preserved her from the wear
which comes with years.
Several weeks later, as l was returning
from walk, L noticed some one leaving
Judge PAGES steps and coming toward
me with evident intention TO address me.
IN moment l knew it was Miss PAGES
maid, and now 1 discerned that there was
tinge OF colOred blood in her. She spoke
with that gentleness and respect which
are never seen at their best in any but
colOred servant.
Il beg your pardon" she said, ''but my
mistress wished me to speak to you"
10 me!' said in surprise. Then: F'Is