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

GER"
my dear, my dear : said soothingly,
patting her arm as ! might childs,
''yopr nerves are ip . bad state. You
need rest. Why, Portia, what danger
can there be to you in your own homo
and with your husbands protecting
love to guard you? Why, these arc the
idlest fancies. Dismiss them at once
my husbandr she cried in agonixed
tones. "Ahi 1t is through him that dan
ger threatens me. But what am say.
ing? Oh, Prudencei Sometimes ] fear
am going mad" and she bowed her
head upon my shoulder and wept.
My distrust, my dislike, faded Instant
ly. This cold. harsh woman had been
condemning was my Portia after all
racked by disease perhaps, crazed by
fancied terrors Poor, suffering grill I
put my arms about her and comforted
her as best could
When she had grown calmer. we
walked on. and reaching rustic arbor
sat down. Portia still sighed mournful-
ly and wiped the struggling tears from
her cheeks.
"A charming visit you win have" she
said, with forced attempt at gayety.
II am ashamed of my weakness. but
when these frightful fts of depression
seize me cannot possibly control my.
self"
"Are you subject to these moods. Por-
tia2"
"Oh. yes" she sighed. For twoyears
! have either been torn with feverish
panics or plunged into thedepths of fore
boding But today-today"-
"There, there, never mind. Don't think
of it," murmured; "think of something
pleasant. Look at the glorious sky, the
sunlight, the trees. the flowers. Think
Of some happy event of your life. Think.
Portia, of those dear, peaceful days OF
long ago-our schooldays-when life had
not a care"-
stopped abruptly. Portals face had
once again assumed that inexplicable
expression--a look Of mingled cunning
and alarm; the same awful glance had
seen through the window the night be-
fore received now. But foundered
on.
do you remember, dear girl, what
Sister Agatha said to you the morning
of our graduation? can see her now,
as she laid her hand upon your shoul-
DER
"Oh, yesi" interrupted Portia. Dear
Sister Agatha, she was always so lovely
and gentle, and her precepts so sound
and wise."
I stared at her in amazement.
"Why, fortia, you must be dreaming.
Sister Agatha was anything but gentle.
She was the terror Of the school No
one was so feared and dreaded next to
Mother Patricia"
"Why, of course" laughed Portia--
that same sinister, mocking laugh Of last
night--'how stupid of mel l must have
been thinking Of some other sister"
Doubtless you were thinking Of Sis
ter Madeline"
"Yes-Sister Madeline. 1t was she."
sa"Sister Agatha said, if Irecall it Alright,
'Portia, you have every prospect Of hap
piness. Wealth, youth, beauty, areyours.
See to it, my child, that the avenue along
which the beacons Of this life are placed
leads to the heavenly city, Portia, I
have never forgotten that scene. The
nun, with her white, ascetic face glow
ing with spiritual fervor, one hand lifted
as in benediction; you in the flush Of
beauty and expectancy listening to the
farewell of that good woman. What o
picture it would have madel"
II cannot remember it very WE'LL"
Portia said, with curious air of impa-
tience as il the subject bored her, "at
all events am convinced that am not
in spirit very near the pearly gates I
really think am in the neighborhood of
the bottomless pit. But come, Prudence,
how much longer are you going to daw-
die here" and springing up she hastily
walked on, leaving me to follow in
more perplexed state Of mind than ever.
had hoped to touch Portia with the
remembrance of that convent goodby,
but had only succeeded in annoying her.
She appeared vexed when / spoke of our
school days, and now that ] gave the
subject some reflection recollected that
the night before when ! had once or
twice referred to our convent life she
had quickly changed the conversation.
She had not asked once after any Of our
former associates and appeared abso-
lutely to have no interest In the old life.
We pursued our way slowly and
silently. The drip Of the fountains, the
rustic of the leaves and the shrill, sweet
notes of the mocking birds broke the
stiffness. Occasionally Portia would
bend over a bed Of flowers, examine
them intently, pick one or two, then
aimlessly wander on.
We came at last to little slope which
descended abruptly toward Dead Mans
swamp. Here the tangles of thicket
and vine grew closer and denser. Birds
rose in frightened fight at our coming.
Once ! saw snake wriggle quickly
across our path.
This is a gloomy part Of the grounds"
I returned. 1T is near the swamp, is it
noty'
ssYea ~ said portia almost sullenlv