Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-22

We trcnt out into the fresh morning afr.
that up to the time Marchmont went to
England his wife was a superb specimen
of physical strength and endurance.
Then this woman's remarkable loss of
memory set me thinking. The search
for the tattoo mark on her arm con-
firmed all my suspicious. When rec
ognized the mark 1 had put on Sidonie,
the slave girl, knew directly there had
been foul play. What feared was that
my cousin had been murdered.
But am getting far ahead of my
story. Let me go back to my boyhood.
AS You already know, was born and
mother died when IwasNery young, and
my aunt became my second mother.
My earliest recollections circle round
my sweet little cousin Portia and her
playmate, Sidonie, tho daughter of
beautiful, accomplished creole, whom
my uncle bought in New Orleans as
present for my aunt. l recall now a
scene witnessed when a child, which l
did not of course then understand, but
which nevertheless impressed me deeply.
These little girls were romping across
the lawn one day, rolling and tumblinG
about like two graceful kittens. My
aunt and uncle were sitting on the pi-
GZza, and 1 was on the steps repairing a
kite. Suddenly my aunt called the chill
dren to her. They came flying up the
steps, black curls waving, eyes flashing,
cheeks glowing-an exquisite picture of
happy. healthful childhood. My aunt
caused them to stand at her knee and
looked steadily for some time in their
faces. She was very pale when she dis
missed them, and as they ran shouting
back to their games she rose, tottered to
the hall door and fell senseless across
the threshold. She was never well after
that and drifted slowly out of life"
Mr.. Raymond was silent a moment,
and a shadow settled across his face.
Presently he went on:
1.-THE children grew into lovely young
girls. Portia was finely educated as YOU
know, and in addition to her convent
facilities had governesses and masters
| at home. Nothing would do but that
| Sidonie, my Sid,' she used to call her,
| must have these advantages too"
YES" l said, interrupting him, II
remember, she used TO speak of a pretty
| slave girl to whom she was greatly at
tached, but had forgotten the name"
80 Sidonie was taught music and
language and dancing and painting.
She came to be almost as accomplished
as her mistress. Portia sang divinely,
but Sidonie had no voice. You under
stand now why the latter would not
sing for us. But one thing she could
never acquire, and that was Portals
lovely and amiable disposition. From
her creole mother Sidonie had inherited
vanity, love of dress and fiery temper.
She was so petted and favored by Portia
that she came to look upon herself as a
lady and to take on the airs of one. The
Marchmont plantation Joined my uncle's,
and it was easy to see that Jermyn and
Portia were boy and girl lovers. But
Sidonie's face always grew dark when
she saw them together. used to taunt
her with being jealous of Portia. never
dreaming how closely hit her. left
home several years before Portia was
married and cannot speak definitely of
the events of the time. However, Portia
used to write me often and feline many
details of her daily life. Just before the
wedding there was a great hue and cry.
Sidonie had run away. She was hunted
high and low. 3 big reward offered fpl