Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-01-31

II canror slcep. nave not slept Tor
two nights" returned the colonel.
when | close my eyes, | see her as she
used to be, not as she is now-oh, God"
wildly breaking OF.
Listen. Jermyn," said Maurice in a
low voice. Your troubles are nearly
at an end. No, do not ass: one question
now. Before another day dawns your
doubts, your sorrows, will be dispelled.
All ask of you is to 90 to the library
and remain there until I come. Do not
leave the room or house. Wait there for
me if you wait until daybreak. Do you
promise?"
Colonel Marchmont stared at Ray
mond in dazel fashion.
"Trust ne, Jcrmyn," said Maurice.
"and promise me"
"I promise" said the colonel in a
strange voice.
Overhearing this, rarveled more
than ever. Was it possible that AIau-
rice intended, after bringing Portia from
her rendezvous with the voodoos, to lead
her into her husbands presence and
oblge her to beg his forgiveness Igrew
more and more mystiGed.
The evening dragged away. Daphne
was sent to bed, Sophie receiving or
ders from Maurice, who seemed to have
assumed command of everything, not to
leave the child for one moment during
the night.
Eleven o'clock. I sat in the drawing
room waiting for Maurice, as we had
agreed to meet there. The great house
was still. There wero lights in the Ii
brary, where the unhappy husband kept
his vigil. But everywhere else darkness
brooded over the mansion. The silence,
the hour, the nervous expectancy pos
sessing mo grew almost unbearable.
"Where is he? Why does he not Gomez"
l cried to myself.
Suddenly I heard stealthy footsteps in
the hall above, on the stairs, then the
rustic of woman's dress.
Stepping softly to the drawing room
door, looked out. A figure wrapped in
black was descending the stairs. 1t was
Portia Clinging to the stair rail with
one hand, with the other she was draw
ing long black lace scarf over her face,
which in the dim light was CHASTITY and
terrible to see.
Just as she reached the lower stairs q
man stepped quickly out from the cor
ner of the hall Mauricel
Without word he confronted her.
She stared at him for IN instant with
dilating eyes; then, evidently realizing
her helplessness, with q gasp fell for
ward. He caught her in his arms and
carried her mp the stairs. l heard the
door of the room open and in another
moment shut. Then key softly clicked
in lock, and presently Maurice came
down the stairs again.
He came into the drawing room.
Prudence lie said in a low voice, "are
you herc:"
Yes. responded, going toward him.
Are you ready?
Yes.
Give ,He yonr hand. All! Pulse all
right, nerves steady. Good. Come"
sDat Por;;;i
We'll. what Of herr"
"She is i'll. cught TO so to her"
"She Will soon lie better It is nothing
serious. You can help her more by going
to the swamp than in any other way"
He drew nc out upon the piazza,
wrapped my shawl closer about me, and
tucking my hand under his arm led the
way down the path toward the swamp.
There was no conversation. We
walked in utter silence. Once or twice
he turned and looked back. had o
fancy that he was looking to see if we
were followed.
Just as we came to the wall and the
closed gate dark figure rose suddenly
up, it seemed to me, from the earth.
suppressed faint shrek.
"Don't be alarmed" said Maurice.
"Jake, is that you?
"Yes," answered the big oyerseer.
"You have your rife"
eyes, sir"
care the boys at hand?'
Eyes, sir; here they are," as two
brawny negroes stepped out of the dark
ness.
"That's all right. Now, I don't appre-
hend any trouble; still there may be
some. / wish the lady to be protected
in any event. You remain here close by
the gate. If you hear my pistol, come;
otherwise wait for us"
Gail right, sir" replied Jake.
Mr.. Raymond drew key from his
pocket and opened the gate.
He held out his hand.
"Come, Prudence" he said.
We stepped through the gate. He did
not lock it behind US.
Remember, jake" he said in low
tone, eff you hear my pistol, lose no
time"
Eyes, sir"
Black, Shiny and filthy stretched the
morass about us. We were in Dead
Mans swamp.
BE CONTINUED.