The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-11-23
h5f 70 stop a. home. Really - ~
49, - 49, III - - Al s3s# AVE. sfjf SS

h5f to stop sE home. Really - ~
peared too i'll to 50.
But the carriage was ut the stepA
Colonel Marchmont handed her ii, fol-
lowed, shut the door, and they wers
driven rapidly away.
For long time I sat upon the piaxxa
thinking over the little scene had Wit
messed. From the terror and dismay
which had 80 suddenly crept in Portia's
face when her cousins name was men-
toned I did not doubt that tho news Of
his coming had been the unwelcome N
nounce1nent in her husbands letter
which had occasioned 50 much alarm.
And why? What possible danger could
this relative bring her? On the contrary.
why did she not welcome his advent q
relief to the monotony Of her life3 Il
was not possible she was in love with
this cousin? No, no. II ever woman
loved her husband. it was Portia March
mont. M. r. s&5
My musings were 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 60 to bed" she an
nounced in shrill, childish treble;
wants to sit up with you"
Laws now, Miss Daphne, come on"
urged Sophie.
mo, no." cried the child; mo. won't
20 to bed till Auntie Prudence takes me
for walk" ~
"A walk now at 9 o'clock!'' said.
''This is no time to take walk"
eyes," cried Daphne, dancing and
clapping her hands, ''yes, you and So
phie and me-down to the arbor and
back. Then I'll be good and go to bed"
Icould not resist the child's pleading
and told Sophie we would 60 for short
turn in the garden.
"Only as far as the arbor and back" !
admitted. 4.
Eyes, 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 were splashing softly, and
the birds family twittered in their nests
It was a scene of enchantment-a verita-
bic midsummer nights dream.
"No wonder the child hated to go to
bed," said to Sophie as the little one
went dancing down the walk before us.
claws, yes, MISS" responded Sophie,
"dat pore chile did tease powahful
hahd." z.
We came to the arbor, and entering it
sat down for moment.
I can see it all now as write. The
arbor overhung with dangling, perfume
laden honeysuckles; the little girl caper-
ing about, her black eyes flashing in the
moonlight; Sophie's ebon face, white
apron and snowy cap, and even the lit
tie wooden doll which Daphne had
logged along. stating that Dolly must
walk too. ... '3t .5
Suddenly ont of the moonlight came =
face face which peered in through the
honeysuckles at us with sinister eyes.
Long white struggling hair fell around
it, and the toothless gums mouthed in a
bloodcurdling and evil grin.
saw it first. then Sophie, then the
child.
A scream broke the stiffness Of the
night. It was Sophie who threw her
apron over her head and shrieked in ter
rOr.
Daphne did not scream. but buried her
head in my lap.
"Who are your demanded.
There was no answer. The hideous
face disappeared. There was rustic in