Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-11-23
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER Xxi.
BACK FROM THE DARK VALLEY.
Portia did not die. Slowly, laborious-
ly, she struggled back from the valley of
the shadow of death. For weeks her life
hung by thread, but tender care, de-
votion and love snatched her from the
verge of the grave.
Only the ghost of herself she appeared
when at last she was able to be dressed
and carried down stairs to the library.
Her feeble joy at being home once more,
the pathetic happiness which shone in
her great eyes-yes, even the tender lit
tie caresses she gave her favorite books
and cushions-werei ndescribably affect
ing.
The meeting between herself and her
child was sacred. Ihad prepared Daphne
as best l could by telling her that mann
ma had been very i'll indeed: that she
must ask no troublesome qu, lions. for
some day when she was old enough to
understand everything should be ex-
planned TO her; that her mammals heart
was full of love for her, and she need
never fear she would be scolded or
slapped again, then took her TO the door
of her mothers chamber.
Portia was bolstered up by small
army of pillows, her sunken cheeks
lighted by feverish glow, her languid
eyes trimming with mothers love.
Colonel Marchmont sat by the bed, hold
ing one wasted hand.
l opened the door for Daphne and
drew back as the child crossed the thresh-
old. l heard Il half suppressed cry, a
rapturous exclamation, rush of tiny
T II = i
was a little Bit of heaven.
Strangely enough, Daphne at once said:
you've been away such a long time,
mamma. thought You were never COM
ing back"
She obeyed instructions and never
asked any questions, but ever after re-
ferred to the time when mamma was
away"
At first Portia did not seem to remem-
Der what had befallen her. She appeared
conscious of having passed through some
hideous experience with Sidonie, the de-
tails of which were yelled in obscurity.
We pressed her as little as possible on
the subject, trusting that with returned
health she might be able to recall the
most important points of her long and
cruel captivity.
And SO it came TO pass as we had
hoped. One radiantly lovely twilight
We sat upon the piazza. Portia, pale,
languid, but still beautiful, wrapped in
soft filmy white sh&wls and laces, was
reclining in her great chair. Maurice
lay in a hammock, idly putting a cigar
Colonel Marchmont sat by Portia, care
fully watching her every expression and
anticinatinp her every want
The sun was just setting in royal pomp
and Splendor. Long banks of f1eecy
purple and crimson clouds were piled in
the western sky. A mild breeze was
springing up, ruffling tho tall, nodding
lilies standing in huge jars along the
piazza and lightly lifting the little rings
of hair on the invalid's brow.
She drank in the scene and the soft,
delicious air. She sighed in ecstasy, and
smiled at each of rs in turn.
Suddenly she spoke.
oh, how good it is to be alive!"
Her husband lifted her hand and kissed
it with intensity.
i remember it all now" she said
slowly. ''Hes-everything. 1t has been
coming back TO me little by little. !
have pieced together all those dreadful
episodes, and the whole frightful story
is before me. l know you are all long
ing to hear it
Dearest, nor interrupted her hus-
band hastily. mot until you are quite
we'll and strong. Don't agitate yourself
beg"
Il am we'll enough now, Jermyn," she
gently replied. Il am we'll enough to
tell you about it. think it will be re-
lief to me"
Very wei! then, dear one, if it is your
wish"
"Jermyn, she said solemnly, laying
her hand upon his head, Il have known
for years that Sidonie worshiped you.
discovered this Just before our marriage
when one evening 1 came upon her in the
| library passionately kissing rose which
had fallen from Your coat. The discovery
shocked me, and yet l pitied her and
| spoke kindly and tenderly to her. You
| know how always loved Sidonie. 1 can
never forget the agony and despair in hel
| face and her voice as see cried out that ]
! had all in life, she nothing; that she
| prayed and longed for death; that she
cursed the hour she was born. Oh, ]
| pitied her-I pitied her." and Portia':
voice shook with sublime compassion.
There was silence for few minutes
/ Then she resumed her story:
After that-I was more indulgent anC
| considerable than ever to Sidonie. Sh,
was given greater liberty. 1 intrustet
/ her with many little commissions, hop
| ing that busy life and certain amour
of responsibility would be some compen
sation. for her sad fate. But she seemed
to grow more and more imbittered ani
despairing. At last, few days befor,
our marriage, she disappeared.
do you know" she said, looking ear
nestly at us, Il always hoped she woult
not be captured? While shuddered a
the thought of what her fate might b
with her fiery temper and her inordinata
vanity, still it was a relief to me not to
see her, and fancied that perhaps she
would be happier under different en-
vironments. Her value as a piece OF
property never occurred to me.
( ''In my new home and my new life
soon forgot Sidonie, though often are;
i membrance of her waywardness and hei
beauty would drift in my thoughts.
was often told of my folly in allowing
20 fsluahls Slays to slip out of my