Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-19
CHAPTER ~.
THE C1OaEp GATE.

complied with hsr request. We left the
house and entered one Of the broad,
densely shaded and winding patha For
some time we walked In silence. When
| I stole occasional glances at my oompan.
ION, could sec she was far from com.
posed. The anxiety lurking In her eyes,
the hard. despsiring lines about the lips,
betokened the inward conflict. At last
I spoke,
~ am really grieved, Portia, TO ses
you suffering 20. Il there anything I
can do for your
"No, nothing" abe broke out wildly.
"No, there 10 nothing you can do. or,
for that matter, that any one can do. !
tell you, Prudence" and stopping short
at . turn In the path she seized my
arm in . convulsive grasp. "God him.
self could not help me- I am In awful
danger"
"Dangerf" cried.
"Hushr' she exclaimed. looking .sp-
prehensively about "Hushi Yes. In dan.
GER
my dear, my dear said soothingly.
patting her arm a. ! might child's.
''your nerves are In bad state. You
need rest. Why. Portia. what danger
can I re be to you In your own homo
and with your husbands protecting
love to guard your Why, these are the
idlest fancies. Dismiss them at once"
my husbandr' she cried In agoniied
tones. "Ahi II u through him that dan.
ger threatens me. But what ain ] cay
ingi Oh. Prudencel Sometimes J fear
am going mad" and she bowed her
head upon my shoulder and wept.
Ny distrust. my dislike. faded instant
ly. This cold. harsh woman had been
condemning was my Portia after all
racked by disease perhaps crazetl by
fancied terrors Poor, suffering girll
put my arms Hbout her and coniforted
her Is best could
When she had grOwn calnief we
walked on. and reaching rustic arbo'
sat down. Portia still sighel inournfni
ly and wiped the struggling tears fron'
her cheeks
"A charming visit you will have she
said, with forced attempt at gayety
II am ashamed OF my weakness but
when these frightful dts OF depression
seize me cannot possibly control my
self"
"Are you subject to these moods, Por'
tiay
"Oh, yes she sighed For two years
| I have either been torn with feverish
panics or plunged into thedepths OF fore
boding But today-today"-
There, there. never mind. Don't think
Of It," murmured; "think OF something
pleasant Look at the glorious sky. the
sunlight, the trees. the 6owers Think
Of some happy event Of your life. Think
Portia. OF those dear, peaceful days oi
long ago-our schooldays-when life had
not o care
stopped abruptly. Portals face had
once again assumed that inexplicablt
expression-a look Of mingled cunning
and alarm; the same awful glance had
seen through the window the night be
fore received now. But doundered
on.
"Do you remember, dear girl, what
Sister Agatha said TO you the morning
Of our graduation can see her now
% she laid her hand upon your shoul
DER
"Oh, yesr' interrupted Portia. 'Dea'
Sister Agatha. she was always % lovely
and gentle. and her precepts 20 SOUND
and wise."
stared at her In amaxement
"Why, Portia. you must be dreaming
Sister Agatha was anything but gentle
She was the terror Of the school. M
one was 80 feared and dreaded neIt Y
| Mother Patricia"
"why. Of course laughed Portia-
that same sinister. nocking laugh OF lss'
night-"how stupid Of mel must have
been thinking Of some other sister,"
Doubtless you were thinking OF Bic
ter Madeline.
"Yes-Sister Madeline. II was she.'
"Sister Agatha said. II recall II Alright
'Portia. you have every prospect OF hap
piness. Wealth. youth, beauty. are yours
See 10 1t, my child. that the avenue alonl
which the beacons Of this life are placet
leads to the heavenly city, Portia.
have never forgotten that scene. TIN
nun, with her white, ascetic face glow
ing with spiritual fervor, one hand LITE,
as In benediction; you In the dush o
beauty and expectancy listening to tin
farewell Of that good woman. What
picture Il would have inadef"
81 cannot remember 1t very well,
Portia said. with q curious air OF impa
tience as II the subject bored her, 'a
all events am convinced that am no
In spirit very near the pearly gates.
really think am In the neighborhood o
the botto,nless pit. But come, Prudence
how much longer are you going to daw
die herei' aud springing mp she hastil!
walked ON, leaving me to follow In
more perplexed state OF mind than ever
Ihad hoped to touch Portia with th
remembrance Of that convent goodby
but had only succeeded In annoying her
She appeared vexed when spoke Of on
school days, and now that ! gave tn
subject some reflection ! recollected tina
the night before when I had once O
twice referred to our convent life oh
had quickly changed the conversation
She had not asked once after any Of o
former associates and appeared abso
lutsly to have no interest In the old life
We pursued our way slowly an
silently. The drip Of the fountains, tn
rustic Of the leaves and the shrill. swee
notes Of the mooking birds broke tn
stiffness. Occasionally Portia woul'
bend over Q bed Of flowers, sxamin
them intsntly. pick one or two, the
aimlessly wander on.
We came at last 10 alittle slope who
descended abruptly toward Dead Man
swamp. Here the tangles OF thicke
ana vine grew closer and denssr. Bird
rose In frightened flight Ut our coming
Once I saw . make wriggls quicki
across our path.
'sThis q . gloomy part Of the gToupds,
I returned. "It u near the swamp. V
uotY
"Yes," said Portia, almost sullsnly
'Yss. Ihats II. ! never walk here.
don't know Why I have come today.
4 Il sn omen, wonderr
.An omen Of whaty ! ssked lightly
You surely do not expect 70 b vot
Again / paused abruptly Il dshs .
ny frisnd's fscs.
i 'svoodoosdi" shs cried sngnly. "whs