The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-07-05

half you have said, it would hang them.
Call me ANYTHING but a witch. Ills no
true-love term to me in these times.
I Arthur Proctor replied lightly, @Wh 1t
is this story Ann Bigger's sister tells? Is
! it true your father is charged with har-
boring witches?"
"Oh, Arthur" Janet exclaimed, in a
burst of passion which surprised her
lover, 4 do not care for myself! but my
father and my poor mother! DO you
think there is d'nger?"
To which Arthur Proctor soberly re-
piled. considering we'll each word:
I'VE cannot tell what is or what is not
serious m atter The slightest jests may
prove terrible earnest There are those
who make mountains out of mole-hills.
The father of lies is loose.
Shame on tho people of Salem, them"
exclaimed Janet Lee. Who has done
more for Salem tran my father? Was he
not foremost in the fight with the Indians?
Did he not stand guard that Salem might
sleep slfely? Who was it ran into Polly
Turner's house when it was burning, and
carried her out in his arms? There is no
truer man in Salem than John Lee. No
more God-fearing man or kinder. And
all know there is no centler woman-none
more generous to the poor, or more con-
siderate = than my mother, else she would
not have preferred You before Giles
Ellis"
And did she SOP" Arthur Proctors
face beamed with pleasure.
"Or l would not say so. My fathers
heart was set on Giles Ellis-but my
mother likes thee best.
Arthur Proctor clasped her hand fer
vently. Trust me to serve you both. l
could not rest until | learned the truth
concerning this wild rumor from your
own lips. The very air is burdened,
poisoned with malice and folly of all
kinds. Old women's gossip, children's
talk, matters men should not repeat in
earnest, become as grave as though the
breath of life depended On 1t. Now that
| know how it lies with YOU | will go
straight to the Marshal and get his ear.
ern, dare say. lis there all the gossips
gather-except such as wear womens
Clothes, added Proctor, scornfully.
Beware of Giles Ellis"
Why should beware of Giles Ellis?"
he asked.
Because he left me with an evil look
He will not harm me. He will wreak
his hatred on some one dear to me- l
know. It's i'll his heart, and he has the
power"
Let him try his wors. with me. defy
him."
You do we'll TO keep up stout
heart"
And do you, too, keep up stout heart.
Now I'll away to the tavern and see what
/ may"
A moment her hand was claspel firm
~. then Janet Lee stood alone, sighing.
saving to herself: Il must keep up a
stout heart. Trouble never comes singly.
Poor Uncle Martin. This will be worse
than all. How it will end heaven only
knows"
She pondered long, then walked to the
dresser, aad, taking some cakes flom the
plate, hastily concealed them. but not so
quickly as TO escape the lynx eyes of
Ezra Easily, who stood near the window
observing her in obedience to the COM
mand of Ann Ri e or. He waited outside
until Janet entered the adjoining room,
then, seeing the way clear. entered and
approached the dresser, smiling Srimly
over his discovery. He was looking at
the cakes when John Lee came upon
him so suddenly that the apprentice
started. His master demanded, i'll stern
tones:
What now, Ezra?"
L was looking at the cakes.
DO not add living to theft.
IL am no Ii r."
here there; say no more. You only
make IA worse of it.
But Master Lee"
60, go, before Dorothea come Cease,
l say. We Will discuss this after prayers"
The apprentices face was wrathful as
he seated himself in his usual corner
for Dorothea Lee, enter ng at that mo-
nent, lit the rushlight and placed it on
the table. Janet and Ann, follow ng her
into the room, sea ed themselves, while
John Lee sat with bent head his thoughts
seemingly far away. He held his spec
tacles idly in his hand, many minutes. n
thing unusual. Housing himself at last,
said:
Life
CoSTINuED