Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-02-06

CHAPTER XXI.
RACK FROM THE DARK VALLEY.
Portia did not die. Slowly. lsborious-
", she struggled back from the valley Of
the shadow of death. For weeks her life
hung by thread. but tender care. de-
votion and love snatched her from thu
verge of the grave.
Only the ghost of her.elf she appeared
when Mt last she was able to ie drrssei
aud carried down stairs to the library.
Her feeble Joy ai being home once more,
the pathetic happiness which shone In
her great eycs-y--, even the tender lit
tie care-scs she gave her favorite books
and cushions indescribably Affect
ing.
The meeting between herself and her
child was sacred. lbad prepared Daphne
a. best could by telling her that man.
ma had bccn very III indeed; that she
mus, ask no troublesome questions, for
some day when she was old enough 10
understand everything should be ex.
plained 20 her: that her mamms's heart
was full of love for her. and she nesl
never fear shs would H. scolded or
slapJed again. then took her TO the door
Of her mothers chamber.
Portia was bolstered up by small
army of pillows. her sunken checks
lighted by u fevcrish glow. her languid
eye. brimming with . mothers love
Colonel Marchmont sat by the bcd. hold.
ing one wasted hand.
opened the door for Daphne and
drew back q. the childcrosssi the thrc-h.
old. heard . half SUPPRESSED cry. q
rap,urous exclamation. . rush % tiny
feet, aud knew that In that sickroom
was q little bit % heaven.
Strangely enough. Daphne at once said
You've bccn away such long time,
mamma. thought yOu were never com
ing hack"
sho obsy.d instructions and never
ssk.l any questions, but ever after ~
ferrcd TO the time when mamma was
away
AZ fr-i Poriia did not sem 10 rcmem.
bcr what hal b~fallen her. She apI-ar,d
conscious of having Ias.cd through soi..e
hidcous experience with sldonie. the de-
tails of which were yeil-l In ob~curty.
We press>l her as little ~ possible on
the subject. trusting that with r-turn.d
health she might b. able 10 recall the
most important points % her long AMI
cruel captivity.
And - II came to pass as We had
hopsd. One radian,ly lovely twilight
We AT upon the piarra. Portis, pale,
languid. but still beautiful. wrapped In
so,t flmy white shawls and lsccs, was
reclining In her great chair. Maurice
lay In q hammock. idly putting q cigar
Colonel Marchmont AT by Portia, care
fully watching her every expression and
anticipating her every want.
The sun wss Just setting In royal IompI
and splendor. Long hanks u hcccy
purple and crimson clouds were pile,i In
the western sky. A mild brc-z. was
.pringing NJ. ruffiing the tall, nc'iding
lille. standing In huge jars along the
piazza and lightly lifting the little rings
Of hair on the inyalids brow.
She drank Ia the scene and the soft,
delicious air. She sighed In ecstasy. and
SMILED at each u Us In turn.
Suddenly she spoke.
"Oh. how good II l. 10 L. aliye!"
Her husband lifi.i her hand aud kissed
IL with intensity.
II remember IL all now" she said
slowly. "Ycs-.yerything. II has been
coming back to ne little by little. !
have piccei together all ,ho-e dreadful
episodes, and the whole frightful story
Is before me. know you are all long
ing 10 hear IT.
Dearest, nog' interrupted her hus-
band hastily. mot until you are quite
well and strong Don't agiia,c yourself
beg"
II am we'll enough now. Jermyn." she
gently replied. Il am well enough 10
tell you atou, Il. think !, will 10 q "
lief 10 me"
VERY well then. dear one. III, Is your
wish"
"Jerrnyn,- she said soleinnly. laying
her hand upon his head. Il have known
for years that sidonie worshipsi you.
discovered tins just tsfore our marriage,
when one evening came UPON her In the
library passionately kissing rose which
hail fallen from your coat. The discovery
shocked me, and yet ! piiied her and
spoke kindly and ,snderly 10 her. You
know how always loved sidonie. ! can
never forget the agony and despair In her
face and her voice NJ see cried out that ]
had all In life. she nothing; that she
prayed and longel for death; that shs
curs~i the hour she was born. oh, ]
pi,ied her-i piti.d her," and Portias
voice shook with sublime COMPASSION.
There was silence for few minutes.
Then IA. resumed her storyi
"Afier that was more indulgeat and
considerate than ever 10 Sldonie. She
was given greater liberty. ] in,rus'esi
her with many little commissions, hop
ing that busy life and a certain amoun,
OF responsibility would b. some comIcn.
cation for her sal fate. But she secmei
10 grow more and more imbittered and
despairing. At last, u few days before
our marriage. she disappeared.
"Do you know" she said, looking ear.
nesily at us, II always hoped she would
not bs cap,ureii While shuddered at
the thought of what her fate might be
with her fiery teulper and her inordinate
vanity, still tt ), relief to rne not ~
see her. and ] fancied that perhaps she
would b. happier under different en-.
yironments Her value ~ piece OF
property never occurred TO me.
"ln my new home and my new life
soon forgot Sidonie. though often re-
membrance of her waywardness and her
beauty would drift In my thoughts.
was often told % my folly In allowing
10 valuable slave 10 slip out OF my
hands without greater endeavor toarrest
her: but, ~ said before. was relieved
to have her out Of my sight.
"When Jermyn was summoned TO
England two years ago, u was with
dull sensation Of apprehension that ]
saw him go. All! my dear husband.
never can ! tell you my emotion ~ ]
watched your carriage disappear. II
seemed to me that you were going out OF