Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-14
CHAPTER XXI.
BACK FROM TIE DARK VALLEY.


Portia did not die Slowly, laborious-
", she struggled back from the valley OF
the shadow of death. For weeks her life
hung by a thread, but tender care, de-
votion and love snatched her from the
verge Of the grave.
Only the ghost of herself she appeared
when at last she was able to be dressed
and carried down stairs to the library.
Her feeble JOY at being home once more,
the pathetic happiness which shone in
her great eyes-yes, even the tender lit
lie caresses she gave her favorite books
and dcushions-were indesclibably affect
ing.
The meeting between herself and her
child was sacred. Ihad prepared Daphne
as best I could by telling her that mann
ma had been very i'll indeed; that she
must ask 10 troublesome questions, for
some day when she was old enough to
understand everything should be ex
planned to her; that her mammals heart
was full of love for her, and she need
never fear she would be scolded or
slapped again, then took her to the door
of her mothers chamber.
Portia was bolstered up by a small
army of pillows, her sunken cheeks
lighted by feverish glow, her languid
eyes brimming with mothers love-
Colonel Marchmont sat by the bed, hold
ing one wasted hand.
I opened the door for Daphne and
drew back as the child crossed the thresh-
old. 1 heard half suppressed cry, a
rapturous exclamation, a rush of tiny
feet, and 1 knew that in that sickroom
was a little bit of heaven.
Strangely enough, Daphne at once said:
"You've been away such long time,
mamma, thought you were never COM
ing back"
She obeyed instructions and never
asked any questions, but ever after re-
ferred to the time "when mamma was
away"
At first Portia did not seem to remem-
Der what had befallen her. She appeared
conscious of having passed through some
hideous experience with Sidonie, the de-
tails of which were yelled in obscurity.
We pressed her as little as possible on
the subject, trusting that with returned
health she might be able to recall the
most important points of her long and
cruel captivity.
And so it came to pass as we had
hoped. One radiantly lovely twilight
we sat upon the piazza. Portia, pale,
languid, but still beautiful, wrapped in
soft flmy white shawls and laces, was
reclining in her great char, Maurice
lay in hammock, idly putting cigar.
Colonel Marchmont sat by Portia, care
fully watching her every expression and
anticipating her every want.
The sun was just setting in nroyal pomp
and splendor. Long banks of feecy
purple and crimson clouds were piled in
the western sky. A mild breeze was
springing up, rufiing the tall, nodding
lilies standing in huge jars along the
piazza and lightly lifting the little rings
of hair on the invalid's brow.
She drank in the scene and the soft,
delicious air. She sighed in ecstasy, and
smiled at each of US in turn.
Suddenly she spoke.
"Oh, how good it is to be alive!"
Her husband lifted her hand and kissed
it with intensity.
81 remember it all now," she said
slowly. "Yes-everything. It has been
coming back to me little by little. !
have pieced to yether all those dreadful
episodes, and the whole frightful story
is before me. know you are all long
ing to hear it.
Dearest, ro!" interrupted her hus-
band hastily, mot until you are quite
vel and strong. Don't agitate yourself,
| beg"
81 am well enough now, Jermyn," she
gently replied. II am well enough to
tell you about it. | think it will be re-
lief to me-"
every well then, dear one, if it is your
wish"
'Jermyn,' she said solemnly, laying
her hand upon his head, 81 have known
for years that Sidonie worshiped you. |
discovered this just before our marriaSsS;
when one evening ] came upon heE5Ste
library passionately kissing 49, (which
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