Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-01-25
CHAPTER Z.

Crouc!?ed by the gate. waited. Wait
ed for whit?
was az Z loss to know what course to
take. Ought | to return to the house.
rouse Colonel Marchmont and tell him
of this strange midnight visit of his wife
to that terrible and uncanny place?
| Would it not increase his evident antip-
athy for her? feared so, and as was
sincerely anxious to bring the two to-
gether instead of seeing them more wide
ly separated 7 decided against that sug-
gestion.
No, would wait Portals return, join
her, beg her to confde all to me-to-exc
plain what possible connection there
could be between the wife of a proud
planter and southern gentleman and
set of the lowest and most debased of
human beings.
For little by little had the appalling
theory crept in my mind that Portia
Marchmont, beautiful, refined and edu-
Gated woman, was victim of some un-
holy spell; that she was in sympathy
with those mysterious and inexplicable
rites of Dead Mans swamp. Her fury
whenever the subject of voodooism was
mentioned; her anxiety lest her husband
should visit the haunt of these night
birds; her evident anger when Colonel
Marchmont threatened to punish the old
negress, past mistress of these awful
ceremonies, all strengthened my opin-
ion. Yes, I firmly believed my old friend
to be disciple of this CHASTITY school.
This was what had nearly wrecked
her reason, alienated her husbands af-
fection and caused her to dislike her
child.
Was she to be blamed? "No," my heart
cried out. No more than if she had by
some chance become a victim of NOR
phine or some other insidious drug. In
some fashion old Jezebel had obtained
control of and enslaved her mistress. I
was determined to break the spell and
save my friends.
| But the knife-the knife! What was
she doing with that glittering weapon
with the keen, wicked blade? Oh, my
poor Portia! Had she sought that grew
some spot to kill herself2 remembered
her threat, "Jermyn Marchmont shall
remember one day what he has accom-
plished tonight" Oh, perhaps then,
then, while was standing idly and help
lessly beside that carefully locked gate,
somewhere away in the dim and awful
recesses of Dead Mans swamp there was
fearful work going on. I must save her.
I would.
In desperation shook the gate and
beat upon it. called-I moaned aloud
in fear and agony and then sank down
exhausted in the thick tangles of creep
ing vines.
Suddenly heard voices and sound
of hurried footsteps on the other side of
tho wall. Who was coming2
[ started to my feet and crowded back
out of sight among the vines. The key
clicked in the lock, the gate swung open
and Portia stepped hurriedly through
and stopped, looking about. Behind her
n the moonlight I saw the awful face
which had looked in the arbor night
or two before. Some instinct sounded a
danger signal, and repressed my incli-
nation to spring forward and speak to
Portia.
81 was sure ! heard something" she
murmured.
The old has listened with bent head.
"It was de wind, honey, an yet by de
wa, de palms OBJ my hands prick l
knew dah's danger lurllin somewhat.
But go home-leab lie chile to me, I'll
tend to her. Eberyting goin' on all
right. 'Twon't be long now foh yes
safe. l saw black bat fly tree times
cross de doah las night, and de moon
was streaked blood rel-dem's good
signs. Gohome-go home"
"Listen," said Portia, grasping the
old woman's arm. 'Iro heard your
wretched prophecies long enough. I do
not see that we arc any nearer the end
than we were months ago. I want it
finisled-do you hear?- finished. If you
don't act, SHALL" and she shook the
knife in old Jezebcl's face
"All right" muttered the other, "but