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

had upon him, but he regarded her as
coldly as ever. I began to be furious
with thus 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
glov,s. Suddenly he spoke:
s'Did I write you that 1 met Maurice
in Atlanta?" he asked.
I was standing near Portia, indeed
had just stretched out my hands to as
sist her with the troublesome glove. ]
saw her shiver as if cold wind had
struck across her white shoulders.
eyes" she said in a 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 intently at her
through narrowing eyelids.
''Well, I 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 were 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. 1 told
him his legal training had evidently be-
come second nature, for he kept me on
the witness stand constantly. Yc1 must
know, Miss Mason, that Maurice Ray
mond is my wife's only living relative
He was born and brought up On her fa-
ther's plantation, and the two We're like
brother and sister"
"Oh, yes!" I said, 81 used often, Portla,
to hear you speak of your brother
Maurice"
Portia turned white, hunted face to-
ward me. He: 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 Is years since
you saw him. How much you will have
to talk over"
The greenish light of excitement had-
died from Portals face, and as she took
her husbands arm she looked so wan,
haggard and old I was temped to beg
her to stop at home. Really she ap-
peared too i'll to go.
But the carriage was at the steps
Colonel Marchmont handed her in, fol"
lowed, shut the door, and they were
driven rapidly away.
For long time sat upon the piazza
thinking over the little scene had wit
messed. From the terror and dismay
which had so suddenly crept in Portl'' s
face when her cousins name was men
toned / did not doubt that the news ot
his coming had been the unwelcome an
nouncement in her husbands letter
which had occasioned so much alarm.
And why? What possible danger could
this relative bring her: On the contrary.
why did she not welcome his advent as
a relief to the monotony Ct her life? 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 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,
I 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"
claws now, Miss Daphne, come on"
urged Sophie.
"No, no." cried the child; 'sno. won't
20 to bed till Auntie Prudence takes me
for a walk"
"a walk now at o'clock" said.
'This is no time to take &|A llk."
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"
could not resist the childs pleading
and told Sophie we would 60 for short
turn in the garden.
"Only as far as the arbor and back" /
admitted.
eyes, yes" laughed the delighted
child
We threw on our light wraps and set
out. The moon was full and sent down
food 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 scene of enchantment-a yerita-
Bile midsummer nights dream.
sNo wonder the child hated to 60 to
bed" I said to Sophie as the little one
went dancing down the walk before us.
claws, yes, MISS" responded Sophie,
s'dat pore chile did tease powahful
hahd."
We came to thearbor, and entering it
sat down for moment.
can see it all now as I 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
lugged along, stating that Dolly must
walk too.
Suddenly out Of the moonlight came
face-a 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
bloodcurdling and evil grin.
I saw it first, then Sophie, then the
child.
A scream broke the stiffness Of the
night. 1t 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 you?" demanded.
There was no answer. The hideous
face disappeared. There was rustic in