The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-14
CHAPTER X.

gloomy. A storm was setting in. The
dull gray clouds weighed upon the hori-
zon even as my dreadful discovery OPP
pressed my heart.
Life seemed intolerable. As sat at
breakfast and studied Portals face-the
face of a murderer-it was at times
with difficulty that kept from scream
ing aloud. l did not allow Daphne to
90 out of my sight, but kept her with
me, amusing her in every possible way
with toys and story books.
l was conscious, too, that Portia was
watching me. She evidently possessed
half defined suspicious, for once she asked
me in a careless manner, which was pal
pably assumed, whether l had heard
any unusual sounds about the house the
night before. / said ''no" and in return
asked the reason Of her inquiry. She
replied she had slept lightly and would
have said that once she heard the hall
door shut.
"She is sounding me-" reflected and
forthwith grew as cunning as my inter
locutor.
"No," said indifferently. 81 heard
nothing"
1t was nearly noon when carriage
dashed up to the piazza, and tall, fash
ionably dressed man alighted, looked
about with some curiosity, paid the
driver and then ran lightly up the front
steps. Presently the great knocker re-
sounded through the hall.
"a visitor" / said, with some interest,
for visitors were not numerous at
Swamplands.
Tom, the butler, came into the library
carrying card ON a silver salver. Por-
tia was lying on broad couch drawn
up before the open FIRE, sleeping or feign-
ing sleep. She had not seen the car
riage drive up and opened her big eyes
lazily as Tom approached her.
"What is it?" she murmured languidly.
"a gem'man, missis."
Portia took the card and read it. She
stared at the name before her in a dazed
manner. At last she turned her blood
less face toward me.
prudence" she said, wearily passing
her hand over her head.
"Yes, Portia," answered. leaving
Daphne in the window with her dolls
and going over to her mother.
"Read that name-aloud," she COM
manded, thrusting the card in my hand.
read, Maurice Raymond"
81 could not see-then he has come"
Portia mtittered in incoherent, wander
ing fashion. Then sharply to Tom, Il
will not see him."
Tom bowed gravely and was about to
~lgo, when said: "Portia, Is not this the
guest you have been expecting3 What
would Colonel Marchmont say II you
were to send. such message as that?
Had You not better reconsider
''You see him, Prudence" she begged
In an almost childish fashion. 81 cannot
go in now. must 90 up stairs, dress
and compose myself"
Every well, Portia. Twill do my best
to entertain him until you are ready to
relieve me. But do not tax me too long"
Portia did not reply, but rose and left
the room. She appeared confused and
helpless. Suddenly recalled the proph-
ecy of theold negress-"Dangeh is comm
from de souf." All, perhaps the peril
which had menaced Portia was at hand.
AS / entered the drawing room the Wis
itor rose quickly and came forward to
greet me. What most impressed me in
this first meeting with Maurice Ray
mond was the atmosphere of latent
power which seemed toemanate from his
personality. He was not handsome
man, though his face was good, his deep
set eyes keen, his nose straight. His
lips were not hidden by beard or mus
tache, and in their firm lines read the
positive character of the man. He car
ried himself like prince, with grace
and hauteur. His general appearance
was impressive and commanding.
you are not Mrs. Marchmont?" he
said half in inquiry as he took my hand.
'No, indeed" replied-"Mrs. March
mont's friend, Prudence Mason. Mrs.
tiarchmont is not feeling well and
hopes you will excuse her for little
while"
"And the colonel" asked the visitor.
"Hc is somewhere about the planta-
ton. but will soon bc in for luncheon"
81 have arrived n few days ahead of
time" said Mr.. Raymond, "hutI finished
my business in Atlanta sooner than l
had anticipated and SO hurried on. /
was so anxious to see the country in
which passed my boyhood, and above
all to see my dear cousin again, whom
/ remember as the idol of my youth-a
beautiful and lovely girl"
Mrs Marchmont is very beautiful
woman said gravely.
There is child, believe" said Mr..
Raymond. called Daphne from the IL
brary, glad Of an excuse to have her once
more in my sight. She came running in,
delighted to see stranger, and was soon
on very good terms with the visitor.
Presently Colonel Marchmont entered,
prcfuse with apologies and extending a
genuine southern welcome to his guest.
"Why, where is Portia?" hedemanded,
looking about after the first greetings
were exchanged.
AS automatically as possible I ex-
- II n..t L. Ill