Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-01-18
CHAPTER III.
PORTALS CHILD.

HORllA ShlbDs
Frozen with terror, listened for re-
turn of those velvet footsteps, but no
sound was heard.
/ threw myself dressed as l was on
the bed. Ibid not dare sleep. The can
dies in their vast gilt sticks burned lower
and lower. ] watched them with strain
ing eyes, shuddering as thought Of the
darkness which would come. At last
they went out. was alone in the pro-
found and awful silence of night.
Toward morning l slept from utter
exhaustion, and when wakenedthe sun
was shining full in my eyes. l turned
drowsily. Then, sitting upright, | looked
at my dusty, travel stained gown in
which I had slept. Suddenly the occur
renee of the night before returned to me-.
What did it mean? Why was Por-
tia spying upon me? What possible ex-
PLANTATION could there be of that stealthy
survey through the window?
''She must be mad" said as | weari-
ly rose. Eyes, Chat must be it. She
has had poor health, and possibly her
brain may be turned tribe. Dear me,
don't relish the idea of Icing watched
like that. Well, must get away as
soon as possible. wonder if it would
do to- go today!"
There was a knock at the door, and a
trim quadroon maid entered with hot
water. She explained that her mistress
had delegated her to wait upon me dur
ing my stay.
"W'y, you all dressed already?" she
cried in surprise.
Without thinking, carelessly an
swered, eyes, slept in my clothes.
The girl gave me quick glance.
81 was so tired" l said. "that must
have dropped to sleep before knowing it. !"
"Yes'm," she glbly replied, but there
was queer expression on her face.
Presently she went over to the window
as if to open it wider.
"Wy, you slep wid you'ah shuttahs
openr' she exclaimed. Wouldn't do
dat eff wuz you, miss"
"Why" demanded.
"Waal," she answered in some confu-
sion, 81 doan' no, but sometimes folks
gifts kinder sleery. Wouldn't sleep wild
my shuttahs open, deed wouldn't. I'd
like to keep my winders shet, but den
I'm on de swamp side-dGt's worse"
"Why is it worse l asked.
"Waal, miss, we amt lowed to speak
bout it-missus dat mad Wen she hyahs
us sayin anythin. But ! tell ye some
times de COINS on in DAT swamp just
orfel."
clock here" said, with consider
able show Of asperity. What do you
mean BY 'goin's on:'"
"Waal," she hesitated, screams an
hollerin an de debble's own noise some
times. Dey say dat whah de vooaoos
sswhy doesn't Colonel Marchmont put
stop to it,"
"Lord bless ye, miss, he doan' care
muffin bout it. A lot oh drunken Mig
gahs, he says. He jest gives ordahs none
OBJ de niggahs off his plantation go dah.
An dey doan' dast go. But we hyahs
de awfulest noises. an Sue Some seen
lights, an ole Pete tole me las night he
wah down by de marsh, an he declah he
done see somepin comm out de swamp,
wild horns an tail an pitchfork."
Nonsense" said severely; "don'tle
me hear any more of such superstitious
stuff"
"All right, miss" Lizzie said meelly,
and as my toilet was now completed |
told her she might go. laughed hearth
ly when was alone.
81 am tasting some Of the delights of
southern life" said. "Portia used to
tell me about these superstitious slaves,
but 1 don't remember that she said any
thing about voodooism. l must speak
to her about it. It should be quite an
interesting study Of course that hide
Gus scream heard last night must have
come from some Of their horrid orgies"
Musing thus, wended my way down
the corridor and stairs into the lower
hall. The great front doors were opened
wide, and flood of glorious sunshine
was pouring across the tessellated floor.
The sunlight cheered me. banished all
care and forgot my uneasiness of the
night.
ST must have been mistaken" urged.
'It was only my tired nerves and disor-
dered fancy. Of course ;Portia would
never stoop to spying in that fashion.
Absurdr'
stood in the door and looked down
the noble avenue before the house. The
grounds of Swalnplands were extensive
and beautifully cared for. Great beds
Of brilliant blossoms, splashing foun-
tains, parterres of closely clipped box
and spruce and winding paths combined
to make the picture most attractive.
Far in the distance l could see the cotton
fields, yonder stretched Dead Mans
swamp, and here on the piazza, with
her back turned to me and evidently
quite unaware Of M presence, sat Por-
tia.
She was dressed in filmy white gown.
Her massive coils of hair revealed the
shapely neck. Her head was bent. She
was reading.
Before l could speak side door opened
and a little girl about 6 years Of age
came out upon the piazza. She held q
bunch of scarlet blossoms in her hand
and approached Portia with timid air
which troubled me.
She was beautiful child, miniature
reproduction of the Portia | remem-
bered. Long black curls fell over her
shoulders. Her eyes were large and
dark, but had an appealing, frightened
expression pitiful to see in one so young
She was daintily dressed in white.
Mamma" she murmured.
Portia paid no attention.
Mamma" she saida little louder.
Portia lifted her head and turned her
face toward the child could see the
mothers profile. She was frowning
ominously.
"Here are some beautiful flowers !
picked for you, mamma" said the little