The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-01-04
| oDened the door for Daphne.

Iopencd the door for Daphne.
ture harm me? Ispoke to her and asked
her what she was doing there. She only
stared up at me with bleared eyes and
demanded who was.
"'I am your mistress said, and l
am very much annoyed with you. l
hear You will not stay at the quarters
with the other slaves, but insist upon
living here alone. You cannot do this.
You are too old and feeble. You must
go back to the plantation. 1t is your
home. I will see that you are made
quite comfortable
"A wicked glitter came in her eyes,
and she answered that she would not go
back.
every we'll, said, 'since you refuse
to obey me, shall send the overseer
after you, and you will be taken back
During this brief parley was con-
scious of a feeling that there was a
listener to our conversation. heard no
sound, I saw nothing, but could not
Danish that curious sensation of another
presence near at hand. It was not
pleasant feeling by any means, and I
turned to go.
wait moment, honey said the
old woman suddenly. Come inside and
see de hubby little house done got. I
can't go fer ter Leah it.
Though my judgment revolted, /
nevertheless accepted her invitation, and
stepping through the low door I stood
within the miserable hut. Again that
feeling that there was some one near, so
strong this time that it amounted to
positive terror. Ispoke. Who is here?
! demanded.
"Then suddenly there was rush. I
was seized from behind in strong
grasp and thrown upon the bed. I
shrieked for help, but the old woman
quickly tied something over my mouth.
AS I was lying face down on the loath-
some couch, I was almost suffocated. l
knew that strong hands were securing
mine, and presently, finding myself over
come and powerless, I lost consciousness.
"When came to myself, I was un-
able to rise, being fastened down to this
pallet. could not cry out, for my mouth
was bandaged. Old Jezebel's hideous
face was bent over me, and in the gloom
saw another face-Sidonie's!
81 knew her instantly, though years
had gone by since had seen her. no
ticed even in my pain and terror that she
was more beautiful than ever, and then
remarked something else. It was this:
She was dressed in the gown / had worn
into the swamp, and it seemed to have
been made for her.
II could not understand it. At first l
fancied she had come to my assistance
and smiled family and pleadingly up at
her. But she stared stonily at me and
made no move to release me. On the
contrary, she bent down and whispered
these terrible words in my ear:
"'Your day is done. Your identity is
not destroyed, but transferred to me.
You are no longer Portia. am she. I
return to Swamplands and rule there.
You remain in Dead Mans swamp-to
die
"Again l tainted. And after that it is
all like a terrible nightmares confusion
of harsh words, of bitter drafts, of aw-
full sounds. There were moments Of
consciousness when I could see through
the half open door the glare Of the red
freight and dusky forms leaping around
it-a frightful sight; when, too, saw
the faces of my tormentors, Jezebel's
like fend and that of Sidonie sardonic
and triumphant. After many days ST.
DOME brought a little instrument with
which they pierced my arms and inject
ed their drugs and poisons. I begged
feebly for mercy, but they showed me
none. But MY bodily sufferings were as
nothing compared with those Of my
mind. When I could realize anything,
I thought of the wicked deception being
practiced upon my husband, of my child.
Oh, Godl it was terrible-terrible."
my darling, my darling" cried her
husband, catching her to his heart, ''say
no more You will only make yourself
I'll again. Stop, I beg you"
There is nothing more to say" said
Portia feebly, smiling with trimming
eyes and tremulous lips. "There is moth
ing more to say, only that I am safe and
God is good"
GOOD ROOMS FOR RENT.
Furnished or unfurnished, Enquire
Of Stiff L. B. BENNETT.