The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-11-16

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have screamed when her cold nps
touched mine. All, how different : ~
oeption I had pictured What did II
meanp Was It rho who was changed or n
She led me Ia, with many polite In
quiries, uttered in perfunctory and me-
chanical fashion. Servants were sum
moned; tea was brewed; 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 Z
vague feeling Of uneasiness and distrust.
Under the glow Of the great drawing
room chandelier studied Portals face
closely. What was it? Where was the
great change which seemed to separate
the friend OF my youth from me as by q
gulf. There was the same lustrous hair,
untinged by a thread of silver; there
were the great almond shaped liquid
eyes, like black velvet; the same faultless:
" 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. It was Portia and yet not Portia.
She caught my intent scrutiny.
II have grown old, Prudence" she
said in answer to my inquiring looks,
land our southern climate has not i'm
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. l 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 pot. Had the
years wrought complete revolution in
her character as we'll as her face?
II am sorry Colonel Marchmont is not
at home," she said after she had gra-
ciously pressed a second cup of tea upon
me. He went to Atlanta last week. |
expect him back very soon-possibly to-
| morrow"
''You have children, Portia?
''One," she replied coldly, as if the
subject were obnoxious-"a little girl
years old-a headstrong little creature.
lean do nothing with her. I'm glad l
have but one"
| looked at. her in amazement. l had
often thought Of Portia as mother.
How tender, loving and womanly she
would be in that relation! had pic
tured her holding q baby on her breast
and looking down at 1t with that divine
expression only to be seen in a young
mothers eyes, and | had fanciel her
surrounded by merry, romping, happy
children. Her scarcely yelled Gistaste
for maternity shocked me.
''You must be very weary, Prudence"
she said after a little. ''If you like, l
will show you to your room."
AS was only too anxious to be alone,
signifed 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 I'M
solicited visit upon an old friend who,
alas! was not the friend of old. I re-
fected, 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 lie
was large and gloomy. There were a
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 were quaint gilt candelabra
on the marble mantle, and 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 g. a
balcony running the entire side Of the
house.
The room oppressed me quite as much
as Portia. Dismal forebodings seized me
as I looked at the somber hangings of the
bed and windows. Tired and unnerved
from my long, tedious night ride, as well
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