The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-10

moned; tea was brswed; my bags and
wraps taken; everything that the most
punctilious hostess could do for guest
was done for me. And yet through all
these kindly Offices was conscious Of
vague feeling Of uneasiness and distrust.
Under the glow Of the great drawing
room chandelier studied Portals face
closely. What was ia Where was the
great change which seemed to separate
the friend Of my youth from mo as by a
gulf. There was the same lustrous hair,
untinged by q thread of silver; there
were the great almond shaped liquid
eyes, like black velvet; the same faultless-
ly faultless features; the same ivorylike
complexion. But the soul was gone
from the face; the essence Of an exquisite
nature no longer looked out from the
eyes. 1t was Portia and yet not Portia.
She caught my intent scrutiny.
II have grown old, Prudence" she
said in answer to my inquiring looks,
"and our southern climate has not inn
proved my complexion. Then. too,
have lived monotonous life, have been
very much alone, and that, you know,
Is not good for one," and then she
laughed.
recalled Portals laugh-mirth pro-
voking, contagious, hearty. could hear
again its silvery sweetness ringing
through the leafy avenues OF the old con-
vent gardens. My hostess laugh was
hollow, sinister and harsh, like the crack
ling of thorns under q pot. Had the
vao, ,o xyrny, chit n covn no1a<a ~ayn1,, <,<x, ~,
her character as well as her face?
~ am sorry Colonel Marchmont Is not
at home," she said after she had gra-
ciously pressed second cup of tea upon
me. He went to Atlanta last week. /
expect him back very soon-possibly to-
morrow"
"You have children, PortiaT
"One," she replied coldly. as II the
subject were obnoxious-"a little girl
years old--a headstrong little creature.
can do nothing with her. I'm glad I
have but one"
looked at her in amazement. had
often thought Of Portia as a mother.
How tender, loving and womanly she
would be in that relation! had pic
tured her holding baby on her breast
and looking down at it with that divine
expression only to be seen in young
mothers eyes, and had fancied her
surrounded by merry, romping. happy
children. Her scarcely yelled distaste
for maternity shocked me.
"You must be very weary, Prudence"
she said after a little. IF you like, !
will show you to your room"
AS was only too anxious to be alone,
/ signified my wish to retire at once.
Rising, my hostess took from the man.
tel tall silver candlestick and led the
way through the wide hall and up the
old time winding stairs.
followed. with strange sinking at
my heart. My reception, though cour-
teous, had been utterly mechanical. /
saw my blunder in having thrust an un-
solicited visit upon an old friend who,
alas! was not the friend of old. re-
flected, however, that it was not neces-
sary to prolong my stay and decided that
as soon as possible would return north
with my stock of disillusions. which now
weighed upon me like the burden on
Pilgrims shoulders.
The room into which Portia led me
was large and gloomy. There were
vast four posted bed and huge ward
robe with carved panels. A fireplace
with ancient andirons, mahogany table,
chairs and old fashioned lounge, made
up the main furnishings of the apart
ment. There We're quaint gilt candelabra
on the marble mantle, and a few portraits
of dead and gone Marchmonts adorned
the walls. The only modern piece Of
furniture was tall cheval glass stand
ing directly opposite the enormous win
dows, which, by the way, opened on
balcony running the entire side Of the
house.
The room oppressed me quite as much
as Portia. Dismal forebodings seized me
as looked at hesomber hangings of the
bed and windows. Tired and unnerved
from my long, tedious night ride, as well