The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-12-28
CHAPTER XVII.
SIDONIE.

IA SLAYER echoed. "a slave! But the
likeness to Portia"
"Ah, yes" said Maurice sadly, "that
likeness to Portia broke my aunt's heart
wish you could have known Portals
mother, Prudence. A sweeter, daintier,
better woman never lived, but her love.
ly life was clouded by the shadow of a
sin. She died early, wasting away after
she discovered that cruel secret. But
| you must rest now, little Bunker Hill.
will tell you the story later"
II cannot Sleep" cried. Let us so
for walk in the garden, and you shall!
unravel this MISERY for me. After .nat
I will think about rest"
He saw that was determined to hear
the story at once, and SO after We had
! been served with coffee we went out
! into the fresh morning ali and strolled
| up and down while he smoked in silence.
He was not quite ready to tell the
strange tale. But was patient.
1t was just sunrise when we entered
| the rustic arbor where I had sat with
| Daphne on that eventful night Here
! and there the birds were Tousing, shak-
| ing out their wings and voices. The
dew yet sparkled en- the grass. The
fountains near by We're splashing softly.
The air was delightfully."- fresh and in
MIGRATING after the hours passed in, the
sickroom.
docs it seem possible that only few
| hours ago we were searching that ghast-
ly place yonder?" suddenly asked Maui
rice.
''No," replied earnes silly. II seem to
have lived lifetime since midnight.
But tell me, how did you discover the
! truth? And Sidonie--tell HE about her
Oh, begin, begin! My curiosity is de-
vouring me-"
Mr.. Raymond smiled.
"Whoever would fancy to look at you
strong, plain, stanch little body-that
YOU would admit so feminine a weak
ness? And yet you are thoroughly wom-
anly."
"Never mind whether l am womanly
or weak. I didn't come out here to be
analysed, but to hear about Portia the
real and Portia the pretender. Come,
IL heard whispers and rumors among
the negroes here Of these midnight Or
gies and determined to witness one for
myself. I went out night before last,
and having easily found the path came
plump up against the wall and the closed
gate. While I was Eliminating what
plan to pursue, heard footsteps and
saw woman approaching. 1quickly
concealed myself in the thicket, and
when l saw our hostess let herself
through this gate / resolved to follow
her. easily scaled the wall and took
the path she was pursuing and presently
found myself where we were last night.
This imposter mingled with those naked
niggers, and while she did not dance
herself encouraged them in their de-
banch. After they were stupefed from
their frenzy, she and old Jezebel enter
ed the hut.
| 81 FASTENED to the window and peered
| in. heard q faint moan and saw some
thing move on that filthy pallet. Then
the old woman brewed some diabolical
mess and forced poor Portia to drink it
while this Sidonie stood by looking on
with triumphant smile.
81 saw it all in an instant-how by her
wit and cunning she had caused the
transfer of identity while Jermyn was
in England. The slave had become
the mistress, and the poor mistress was
q CAPTIVE in the hands of Sidonie's fellow
conspirator. l don't know how kept
from rushing in then and denouncing
her, but feared if did Sidonie might
escape. And l was determined she should
not elude me.
81 took Jake partially into my conf
dence. told him to guard the gate and
not to permit any one to pass through
it save you and me, and if Mrs. March,
mont attempted to open it to summon
the colonel or me at once, that foul play
was being done, and would be respon-
sible for any consequences. Jake is
singularly reliable man, and having
been told just enough did his duty.
II know Sidonie could not leave the
house without my knowledge. l was
confident she would try and waited for
that attempt which you know was
made.
Nv Qeu 6u0 ld1uCcu, CaA4Aou A0A AA1o
her room, locked that pair Of handouts
on her soft, pretty wrists and secured
the door behind me. The rest you
know. When Portia RECEIVERS. she will
tell us more which will doubtless sup
ply all the missing details. A terrible
story, is it not? No stranger, though,
than many q wild tale Of the south-tho
land of romance and revenge. But how
weary you are! Come, I insist you
shall go in and rest. Don't worry about
Portia. She will live. Those fiends did
not succeed in killing her, and the good
God will restore her to her husband and
child"
As we rose to return to the house Jake,
the overseer, came running up the path
from the swamp. He was greatly e1-
cited.
"sir, Mr.. Raymond" he cried, waving
his bat as he came on, 'what do you
think has happened now"
"For Gods sake, don't tell me you have