The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-12-01
CHAPTER VI.

return was given over to the ball of
which mention has already been made.
Portia was picture in her white satin
gown, the laces of which We're caught
here and there with clusters of scarlet
verbenas. When she was dressed and
stood intently regarding herself in the
mirror, she sighed heavily.
"Why do you sigh, Portia?" I asked as
pinned the last knot Of flowers in the
folds of her gown.
"Those red blossoms, she answered
dreamily. II have a curious fancy about
them, Prudence. Do you know that
they look like drops of blood?" Then
catching my reproving expression she
laughed gayly, caught up her scarlet fan
and hastened to join her husband in the
drawing room.
l watched Colonel Marchmont curl
ously to see what effect his wife's beauty
had upon him, but he regarded her as
coldly as ever. l began to be furious
with this calm, self contained man, who
showed so plainly his utter indifference
to the beautiful woman he possessed.
He had taken her white cloak from
her and thrown it over his arm as he
stood waiting while she buttoned her
gloves. Suddenly he spoke:
"Did | write you that i met Maurice
in Atlanta?' he asked.
was standing near Portia indeed
had just stretched out my hands to as
sist her with the troublesome glove.
saw her shiyer as if cold wind had
struck across her white shoulders.
eyes" she said in low voice.
"And that he is coming here next
week to stay few days with us" Colo
mel Marchmont continued.
eyes, = she breathed rather than spoke.
Her husband looked intcntly at her
through narrowing eyelids.
"Well, | must say that you do not
show much interest in the cousin who
was like brother to you and whom
you have not seen since you We're boy
and girl together. Now, Maurice could
not end his catechism about YOU. How
you look, dress. talk and act were ques-
tions he was continually asking. told
him his legal training had evidently be-
come second nature, for he kept me on
the witness stand constantly. Iou must
know, Miss Mason, that Maurice Ray
mond is my wife's only living relative.
He was born and brought mp on her fa-
ther's plantation, and the two were like
brother and sister"
'Oh, yes!' said, II used often, Portia,
to hear you speak of your brother
Maurice"
Portia turned white, hunted face to-
ward me. Her lips moved as If she
were about to speak, but no sound issued
from them. ..
"Let me see," said her husband as he
carelessly threw her cloak over her
shoulders, 'it must be 10 years since
you saw him. How much you will have
to talk Overt!
The greenish light of excitement had
died from Portals face, and as she took
her husbands arm she looked so wan,
haggard and old | was temped to beg
her to stop at home. Really she ap-
pearcd too i'll to 80.
But the carriage was at the steps.
Colonel Mar .rmont handed her in, fol
lowed, shut the door, and they We're
driven rapit away,
For lonts time | sat upon the piazza
thinking os. tAe little scene l had wit
messed. Fn the terror and dismay
which had 81 suddenly crept i'll Portia' S
face when her cousins name was mem
toned did not doubt that the news Of
his coming had been the unwelcome an
nouncrinent in her husbands letter
which had aSs1sioned SO much alarm.
And why? = hG. possible danger Conld
this relative iiring her: On the contrary.
why did she not welcome his advent as
relief 10 tie monoiony of her lifcg 1t
was not possible she was in love with
this cousin: No, no. If ever woman
loved her husband, it was Portia March
mont.
My musings We're interrupted by lit
tie Daphne, who had been allowed to
sit up and watch her mothers toilet for
the ball. She ran toward me, scream-
ing in pretended fright, from her nurse
Sophie, who wished to put her to bed,
took her in my arms and kissed her.
Good night, darling"
Don't want to go to bed" she an
nounced IN shrill, childish treble;
''wants to sit up with yon.
Laws now, Miss Daphne, come on,
urged Sophie
"No, no" cried the child; ''no, won't
go TO bed till Auntie Prudence takes me
for a walk"
"a walk now at 0 O'clock l said.
"This is no time to fake walk"
Yes cried Daphne, dancing and
clapping her hands, yes, you and So
phie and me--down TO the arbor and
back. Then I'll he good and go to bed
1 could moi resist the childs pleading
and told Sophie we would go for short
turn in the garden.
'Only as far as tho arbor and back
admitted.
Yes, yes" laughed the delighted
child.
We threw on our light wraps and set
out. The moon was full and sent down
a flood of light, turning every leaf and
twig and branch into shimmering silver.
The fountains We're splashing softly, and
the birds family ,wittered in their nests.
1t was scene of enchantment-a verita.
BILE midsummer nights dream.
No wonder the child hated to go to
bed, said to Sophie as tho little one
went dancing down the walk before us.
Claws, yes, miss, responded Sophie,
"dat pore chilo did tease powahful
hahd."
We came to the arbor, and entering it
sat down for a moment.
can SEQ it all now as l write. The