Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-01-18
IS she laid her hand upon your shouI

as she laid her hand upon your shouI
DER
"Oh, yesI" interrupted Portia "Deal
Sister Agatha, she was always so lovely
and gentle, and her precepts so sount
and wise."
stared at her in amazement.
why, Portia, you must be dreaming
Sister Agatha was anything but gentle
She was the terror of the school. Nc
one was SO feared and dreaded next tc
Mother Patricia"
why, of course" laughed Portia--
that same sinister, mocking laugh of last
night-'how stupid of mel | must have
been thinking of some other sister"
Doubtless you were thinking of Sis.
ter Madeline"
"Yes-Sister Madeline. 1t was she."
"Sister Agatha said, if Irecall alright,
Portia, you have every prospect of hap.
piness. Wealth, youth, beauty, are yours.
See to it, my child, that the avenue along
which the beacons of this life are placed
leads to the heavenly city, Portia, |
have never forgotten that scene. The
nun, with her white, ascetic face glow
ing with spiritual fervor, one hand lifted
as in benediction; you in the flush of
beauty and expectancy listening to the
farewell of that good woman. What a
picture it would have made!"
81 cannot remember it very we'll,
Portia said, with curious air of impa-
tience as if the subject bored her, sat
all events am convinced that am not
in spirit very near the pearly gates.
really think am in the neighborhood of
the bottomless pit. But come, Prudence,
how much longer are you going to daw.
die here?" and springing up she hastily
walked on, leaving me to follow in a
more perplexed state of mind than ever.
had hoped to touch Portia with the
remembrance of that convent goodby.
but had only succeeded in annoying her.
She appeared vexed when | spoke of our
school days, and now that gave the
subject some reflection recollected that
the night before when had once or
twice referred to our convent life sh,
had quickly changed the conversation
She had not asked once after any of our
former associates and appeared abso
lutely to have no interest in the old life
We pursued our way slowly and
silently. The drip of the fountains, the
rustic of the leaves and the shrill, sweet
notes of the mocking birds broke the
stiffness. Occasionally Portia would
bend over a bed of flowers, examine
them intently, pick one or two. then
aimlessly wander on.
We came ct last to little slope which
descended abruptly toward Dead Mun's
swamp. Here the tangles of thicket
and vine grew closer and denser. Birds
rose in frightened flight at our oming
Once saw snake wriggle quickly
across our path.
This is a gloomy part of the grounds, :"
returned 1T is near the swamp. is il
uot?"
YES" said Portia, almost sui!enly
Yes hate it. never walk here. ]
don't know why have come today Is
it an omen, | wonder!'
"An omen Of what?" asked lightly
You surely do not expect to he voo
dooed."
Again paused abruptly at sight OF
my friends face.
"Voodooed!" she cried angrily. What
do you meanI What do you know Of
voodooism:"
Only what have read and heard" |
retorted.
"Oh" she returned, as if relieved. ID
didn't know but some of the servants
had been chattering their abominable
stuff to you. don't allow it to be talked
if know it.
"Well, is there nothing in it, PortiaY
asked carelessly. "My driver was tell
ing me that it was a common rumor in
these parts that unhoiy rites are rrac-
ticed in that swamp, and as we came by
It last night l heard"-
"What did you hear?" she demanded,
with distended eyes and quivering nos
srils.
81 heard an awful cry-a fearful
scream. Do you know I could only think
of one thing"
''And that!'
"Murder!' I scarcely breathed
Portia turned so pale was alarmed.
ooh, my dear girl, forgive me fer
speaking of these Things when you are
already SO unstrung. But why did we
come to this desolate spot? The very
surroundings suggest all sorts of ghastly