Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-17

rouse Colonel Marchmont and tell him
of this strange midnight visit of his wife
to that terrible and uncanny place?
Would it not increase his evident antip-
athy for her? feared so, and as was
sincerely anxious TO bring the two to-
gether instead of seeing them more wide
ly separated decided against that sug-
gestion.
No, would wait Portisl's return, join
her, beg her to confide all to me--to ex-
plain what possible connection there
could be between the wife of proud
planter and southern gentleman and a
set of the lowest and most debased of
human beings.
For little by little had the appalling
theory crept in my mind that Portia
Marchmont, beautiful, refined and edu-
Gated woman, was victim of some I'M
holy spell; that she was in sympathy
with those mysterious aud inexplicable
rites of Dead Mans swamp. Her fury
whenever the subject of voodooism was
mentioned; her anxiety lest her husband
should visit the haunt of these night
birds; her evident anger when Colonel
Marchmont threatened to punish the old
negress, past mistress of these awful
ceremonies, all strengthened my opin-
ion. Yes, firmly believed my old friend
to be a disciple of this CHASTITY school
This was what had nearly wrecked
her reason, alienated her husbands S. af-
lection and caused her to dislike her
child
Was she to be blamed? No" my heart
cried ont. No more than if she had by
some chance become victim of NOR
phine or some other insidious drug. In
some fashion old Jezebel had obtained
control of and enslaved her mistress.
was determined to break the spell and
save my friends.
But the knife-the knife! What was
she doing with that glittering weapon
with the keen, wicked blade? Oh, my
poor Portia! Had she sought that grew
some spot to kill herself? l remembered
her threat, "Jermyn Marchmont shall
remember one day what he has accom-
plished tonight" Oh, perhaps then,
then, while was standing idly and help
lessly beside that carefully locked gate,
somewhere away i'll the dim and awful
recesses of Dead Mans swamp there was
fearful work going on. must save her,
would.
In desperation | shook the gate and
beat upon it. l called-I moaned aloud
in fear and agony and then sank down
exhausted in the thick tangles of creep
ing vines.
Suddenly l heard voices and sound
of hurried footsteps on the other side of
the wall. Who was coming:
started to my feet and crowded back
out of sight among the vines. The key
clicked in the lock, the gate swung open
and Portia stepped hurriedly through
and stopped, looking about. Behind her
in the moonlight l saw the awful face
Which had looked i'll the arbor night
or two before. Some instinct sounded
danger signal, and repressed my inch-
nation to spring forward and speak to
Portia.
Il was sure | heard something" she
murmured.
The old bag listened with bent head.
1t was de wind, honey, an yet by de
way de palms OBJ my hands prick
know dah's danger lurkin somewhat
But go home-leab de chile 10 me, I'll
tend to her. Eberyting goin' on all
right. Twont be long now fob yes
safe. l saw black bat fly tree times
cross de doah las night, and de moon
was streaked blood red-dem's good
signs. Go home-go home"
Listen" said Portia, Grasping the
old woman's arm. I've heard your
wretched prophecies long enough. 1 do
not see that we are any nearer the end
than we were months ago. 1 want it
finished-do you hear?-fnished. If you
don't act, SHALL" and she shook the
knife in old Jezebel's face.
All right" muttered the other, but
ish's dangeh comm. honey. Dangeh