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

ture harm mel ispoke 10 her and Asked
her what she was doing there. she only
stared up at me with blearcd eyes and
demanded who ] was.
"'i am your mistress I said. and ]
am very much annoyed with you. ]
hear you will not stay q, the quarters
with the other slaves. but insist upon
living here alone. You cannot DO 'his
You are too old and feeble. You mus,
go back 90 the plantation. Il IL your
home. I will see that you are made
quite comfortable.
~ wicked glitter came in her syos.
and shc answered that she would not e.
back.
"'very WELL I said. since you rrfus.
10 obey me. I shall send tho over-e~r
after you. and you will b. taken back
"During this brief parlsy was con-
scious of feeling that there was .
listener 20 our conversation. ! heard no
sound. I saw nothing. but I could not
banish that curious sensation of another
presence near at hand. II was not .
pleasant feeling by any means, and ]
turnel 10 10.
AWAIT . moment. honey said the
oil woman suddenly. Come inside and
see de lubbly little houss I done got !
cant 10 fer ter leab it.'
Though my judgment rvolt~d. !
nevertheless accepted her invitation. and
stepping through the low door ! stool
within the miserable hut. Again that
feeling that ther. was some one near. %
strong this time that 10 amounted to
positive terror. Ispoke Who is herey
demanded.
Then suddenly there was . rush. ]
was ssired from behind In . strong
grasp and thrown upon the bcd. ]
,hriekel for help, but the old woman
quickly ticl something over my mouth.
A. was lying face down on the loath.
some couch, was almost sufocat~d. !
knew that strong hands were securing
mine. and presently. finding myself over
come and powerle-s. Lost Consciousness.
when came 10 myself. was un.
able 10 rise. b~ing fastened down 20 this
pallet. could not cry out. for my mouth
was bandaged. Old Jeieisrs hideous
face was brnt over me. AMI In the gloom
saw another face-Sidonie's!
Il knew her instantly. though years
hal gone Ivy since had seen her. Ino-
ticci even ia my pain and terror that she
was mere i-autiful than ever. and then
I reinark-i something else. Il was this;
She Was dressed In the gown ! nad worn
in,o the swamp. and IL s-cmel TO have
bcen made for her.
II could not understand 10. A. first ]
fanciei .he had come to my assistance
AMI smiled family AMI pleadingly MP at
her. but she stared sionily at me and
made no move 90 release me. On the
contrary, she bent down and whispered
these terrible words In my ear;
"'Your day IL done. Your identity IL
not destroyed. but transferred 10 me.
You are no longer Portia. am she. j
return 20 Swamplands and rule there.
You remain In Dead Mans swamp-to
die
again I tainted. And after that II Il
oil like terrible nightmare-a confusion
" harsh words. of bitter drafts. OF aw.
full sounds There were moments OF
consciousness when could see through
the half oI+n door the glare of the red
freh ght and dusky forms leaping around
it-a frightful sight; when. too. saw
the faces Of my tormentors, Jezebels
like fiend and that of Sidonie sariouic
and triumphant. After many days ~
lonie brought u little instrument with
which they pierced my arms and inject.
III their drugs and poisons. ! legged
feebly Tor mercy. bat they showed ins
none. But my bodily sufferings were ~
nothing comparrl with those Of my
mind. When ! could realize anything.
thought of the wicked deception being
practiced upon my husband. of my child.
oh. Col! Il was terribls-terrible."
"My darling. my darling" cried her
husband. catching her to his heart, "s'y
no more. You will only make yourse,f
III again. Stop, I beg you."
There IL nothing moro TO say,' ssid
Portia feebly. smiling with brimmins
eyes and treinulous lips. There Ia moth.
ing more to say. only that am safe and
God is good"