The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-12-07

The old woman sank back upon her
throne in stupor. She held the snake
pressed to her withered breast. / was
sickened, terrified, faint
"Do you see that wretched hut yon-
der?' said Maurice. "That is old Jeze-
bells home. We must enter it,"
"Oh, whyt" l asked in terrified whis-
per.
"Because there only is the talisman
which will save Portia." he answered
Creeping stealthily forward, we passed
the stupid voodoos, worn out with their
disgusting orgies. The hut, quite over
grown with trailing vines, was scarcely
fit for swine to inhabit Through the
half open door the red gleam Of the fire
darted, lighting up the miserable room.
In one corner WAS q wretched pallet of
straw and rags, and on 1t something lay.
'tCome here" said Maurice solemnly,
taking off his hat rs if in the presence Of
death; ''come here. Prudence.
looked--and, oh, Godl Oh, God!
What WAS this?
Worn and wasted to a skeleton, clad
in filthy rags, pale as marble, insensible,
dead perhaps, lay-Portia!
Yes, the real Portia-not the hand
some, bold pretender up at the great
house yonder. but my Portia-my Por-
tia, the friend of my girlhood, the cousin
Of my Maurice. ...".." ...
r flung my arms about the wasted
form. l kissed the pallid brow. wept
aud moaned as q mother might over a
dead child.
"You recognize her. said Maurice.
"Oh, my Portia, my dear friend, who
has done this cruel thing? Let us take
her away" sobbed.
Maurice bent down and lifted her in
his arms. As he did so a faint moan
ESCAPED from her lips.
"She is alivev cried joyfully.
Slowly she opened her eyes and looked
straight in Maurice's face.
''Oh, home, home" was all she
moaned.
"Yes, dearest" said Maurice tenderly,
"you are going home" ....
Gathering her closer, he strobe from
the hut. I followed more dead than
alive.
Past the sodden yoodoos, back through
the night and the noisome swamp, we
fed with our precious burden; back to
the gate guarded by the faithful serv-
ants. Jake flung it open when he heard
our footsteps.
Are you ali right, Mr.. Raymond"
he cried, advancing to meet us. You
were SO long l was afraid something
had happened. My God, what is itf'
Strike u match, Jake" said Maurice.
The man obeyed.
Come closer and you, Tom. and you.
George" he added. "and tell me who is
this"
The men bent their rugged faces.
"Great God!' said Jake, Mrs March
mont
"Its missus," cried the others. "Den
/ who?'
YES. Who-who is the other" cried
| Maurice, white with rage. Il know
who it is. You were all blind to what
was going on, but knew her from the
first Lock the gate. jake, and you men
come up to the house with me. I've
work for you yet tonight"
Up to the great silent mansion we hur'
ried--the steps, the piazza, the hall aud
now the library.
Colonel Marchmont had risen at the
sound of our footsteps and stood facing
the door.
"Jermyn,' said Maurice in voice
choked with emotion, "Jermyn. have
brought home your poor wife"
He laid her tenderly in her husbands
arms. Colonel Marchmont stared a
Portia us he might at a specter.
"Is it truef' he whispered hoarsely
"Is il true. Have You come back from
the grave. darling:'
His pathetic words moved US all, ant
George one Of tho biggest blackest ne
graes on .he place, suddenly burst GU
crying like baby
Possibly that act saved his master
reason. for he, too, wept then, laying hi
face close TO the hollow. sunken cheel
of the woman he held to his heart.