The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-12-08
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Mr.. Raymond was silent moment,
and shadow settled across his face.
Presently he went on;
"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,' sho used to call her.
must have these advantages too"
"Yes," l said, interrupting him, II
remember, she used to speak of pretty
slave girl to whom she was greatly at
tached, but l 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 SEQ 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 mo often and tell me many
details of her daily life. just before the
wedding there was great hue and cry.
Sidonie had run away. She was hunted
high and low, a big reward offered for
her capture and search made every
where, all to no purpose. There is a
gap here of several years which / cannot
fill. She was seen i'll various cities but
always escaped apprehension. What
her life was during this period one can
only surmise.
"Now, about this old Niger, Jezrbel,
and her cohort Of followers. / can re-
member when | was Il mere lad thinking
the old hag, eoothsayer and fortune
teller was a century old. don't be-
lioye any ine knows just how old she is.
Sidonie, for some reason, was always
crazy to be with her. and while she
looked down on all the other niggers
would slip away and spend hours in
Jezebel's hut The old devil iattered
her vanity and prophesied a roseate fu-
ture for the girl. You won't always he
slave, honey she would tell her, aud
inch by inch she turned her foolish head.
Even in those days JeGebel was popl-
larly supposed to be in league with s;l-
tan. She was said to have the evil eye
and to be able to work charms and cast
spells. The darkies applied to her for
potlons and doses to cure all manner of
ailments. Jermyn tells me that for the
last two years sho has not slept on this
plantation, but has lived in that wretch
ed hut in the swamp.
81 heard whispers and rumors among
the negroes here of these midnight or
glea and determined to witness one for
myself. | went out night before last,
and having easily found the path came
plump up against the wall and the closed
gate While | was Illuminating what
plan to pursue, heard footsteps and
saw woman approaching. Iqnickly
concealed myself in tho thickef, and
when / saw our hostess let herself
through this cato | resolved to follow
her | easily scaled the wall and toos
the path she was pursuing and presently
found myself where we We're last night.
This imposter mingled with thosenaked
niggers, and while She did not dance
herself encouraged them in their de-
baneh. After they We're stnpetied from
their frenzy, she and old Jezebel enter
ed the hut.
Il FASTENED to the window and peered
in. heard faint moan aud saw soine-
thing move Oh that filthy pallet. Then
the old woman brewed some diabolical
mess and forced poor Porta to drink it
while this Sidonie stood by looking on
with triumphant smile.
Il 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 tho poor mistress was
captive in the hands of Sidonie's fellow
conspirator | don't know how l kept
from rushing in then and denouncing
her, but feared il did Sidonie might
escape. And wasdeternined she should
not ellide me.
Il took Jake partially into my conf
dcnce, 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 1t to summon
the colonel or Inc al once, that foul play
WAS being done, and wonld be respon-
sible for any consequences. Jake IS
sngularly reliable man, and having
been told just enough did his duty.
Il know Sid0ne could not leave the
house without my knowledge. | was
confident she would try and waited for
that attempt which you know was
made
when she tainted, carried her into
her room, locked that pair Of handcuifs
on her soft, pretty wrists and secured
the door behind me. The rest yon
know. When Portia RECEIVERS, she will
tell US more which will doubtless sup
ply all tho missing details. A terrible
story, is it nota No stranger, though,
than many wild tale of the south--the
land OF romance and revenge. But how
weary you are! Come, | insist you
shall go in and rest Don't worry about
Portia. She will live. Those tiends did
not succeed i'll killing her, and the good
God will restore her to her husband and
child"
AS we rose toreturn to the house Jake,
the ovprseer, came running up the path
from the swamp He was greatly ex-
! cited.
"Sir, Mr.. Raymond, !" he cried, waving
his hat as he came on, what do you
thinl. has happened now?'
.tFor God $ sake, don't tell me you have
let that creature eseape!' shouted Maui
rice angrily.
-aNo. no. sir. Shes fast in the hut and