The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-07-12
CHAPTER X.

all abad, he aided, glancins q! the clock.
Whereas Janet?"
Here, father, Janet answered, entering
at that moment. She was trembling,
but her father did not observe her.
Neither did he notice her voice, which
was tremulous. II Id he looked closely
at his daughter he could not have failed
to observe evidences of extraordinary ex-
citement. That he did not remark this
was evidence to her of the load of care
which oppressed him, as he retired with
a heavier step than usual. Mistress Lee
followed him, first charging Janet to
obey her. father promptly, as the night
was wearing on.
In a little while, mother-I will not
be long," answered Janet.
Ann Bigger looked askance at her, and
Janet looked squarely in the servant
face. Then Ann Bigger made pretense
of bustling about. Janet sat down and
folded her hands in her lap. At last Ann
Bigger, seeing Janet sitting motionless,
with q great fourishing of her skirts left
the room.
Still Janet sat thinking. Five, ten
minutes elapsed. Then Janet rose, walked
softly past the window two or three times,
then lifting the light placed it where it
could be seen plainly from the outside.
Presently light tap came at the door.
Janet opened it and her lover entered.
Il have been waiting this half hour or
more"
Nay, you but think So"
Are they all abed?"
Ezra is not in.
Il thought 1 stumbled against him a
while ago. l was not mistaken. Janet,
/ like him not.
Nor does any like him-unless it be
Ann Bigger, who makes him fetch and
carry for her. What news, Arthur
see it in your face, It is bad news"
Her lover smiled family.
Il hear SO much that is like the raving
of madmen that / will not burden you
with it, even if 1 had taxed my memory
with it, which l did not. 'Tis even said
some one of this family has been seen
near Wilkins Pond, and some one going
near Willis Hill, where strange sights and
sounds have terrified many"
Aye, such as lowing of cows, barking
of dogs and bleating of sheep" said
Jams and Ann Putnam who tell these sto-
rie,? 1t is as likely as anything such
children can say or invent"
Il would think less if the children said
it."
Well, we'll. Their t,lk is at least bet
ter than the prattle of the poor babe, lit
tie Mary Lewis, who il but three years
old and held in Jail as a witness against
her own mother. Have our people lost
their senses, Arthur Proctor, that such
things can be-"
They have lost their hearts as we'll, /"
said her lover gloomily. They seem to
have turned to stone"
The lovers we're so deeply absorbed
that they took no notice of the face that
looked at them through the window.
Who of US is accused, Arthur, or who
is at the bottom of these stories concern
ing u.s."
If my tongue is tied" Arthur Proctor
answered, it is because l would not
knowingly do any man injustice.
That is enough. 1t is Giles Ellis you
suspect"
Arthur Proctor bowed.
Janet answered, If it is really Giles,
he has great influence with the ma3is-
trates.
And may do you mischief.
The door latch was lifted at that in
slant, and Ezra Easily entered, followed
by the Marshal of Salem.
Did l not tell you We would find zone
one with herr
The apprectice pointed to Arthur Proc
tor. Proctor advanced threaten ngIy
How dare you!" But Ezra, shielded
by the Marshal, sauc ly replied:
Il dare mo. e than that, as | can prove
easily"
But Arthur pushed the Marshal aside,
and boxed the apprentice ears soundly.
The noise brought John Lee into the
room, followed by Dorothea and Ann
Bigger, who stood i'll the doorway.
What is the meaning of this violence
at this hour, Samuel Hobbs?"
Ask Arthur Proctor. | but came be
tween him and your apprentice.
III have him c;ted," Ezra whined.
Janet" said her father, "what does
Arthur Proctor want here at this hour"
Janet faced her father courageously
He came because l asked him to bring
such rumors as he can gather concerning
u.s."
What did tell YOU"
The apprentice turned to the Marshal.
lis she not bold?"
Peace" said John Lee sternly.
III not be silent and let the mistress
say me and Ann Bigger steal your cake
and meat"
Dorothea Lee, advancing from the door,
suddenly interposed now.
Whit triie to make a talk about
JOIN. dS IL lew CAKES were worth All
this ado"
There is something in this / will
fathcm ere | 60 to bed" John Lee spoke
resolutely. Then fixing his eyes upon his
apprentice he asked him: Who stole the
bread and milk, Ezra Easily? Answer
me-"
Twas your own daughter Janet there,
as Ann Bigger will prove. She saw her
take them, and / followed her"
And where did you follow her, and
when?'
TO Wills Hill, within this hour; since
We had service"
"What proof have you of this?"
When 1 told her to come home with
me, and caught hold of her, she ran away,
leaving this in my hand"
The apprent ce held up a kerchief in
his hand. Dorothel Lee suppressed an
Janet IN her turn cast a terrified look upon
her mother, who was the first TO break
the overpowering silence which followed
the apprentices bold speech.
Stay, John, She began, but suddenly
Janet darted between the Marshal and
Ezra, and snatching the kerchief from
him. exclaimed:
~Babbler, what if it is mine?"
Dorothea Lee placed a hand over her
heart as the voice of the Marshal rang
in her eals:
Janet Lee. must take you into Gus
tody until You d sprove the charge of
witchcraft,"
Arthur Proctor raised hand as thong h
he would strike the Marshal, then let it
fall at his side. while John Lee inyolun-
tarily raised his eyes to heaven, and his
wife tainted dead away.
CHAPTER Nj.
THE PURSE.
There was goodly number in the
Globe Inn. The inn was freshened up
it looked smarter. 1t was remarked that
Daniel Meade was never as cheerful or
even tempered as he was in the past.
But people said it was not much wonder.
The fate that had overtaken his son, and
under his fathers rcot, was sufficient to
cast a shadow over Daniel Meades life.
There were times when he gave rein to
merriment, but, somehow, the frequent