Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-18

Mistress Lee paused long before she made
answer ST have not John. But it is not
like you to press this matter even though
Giles Ellis had ten times the means he
possesses
"would You have her marry Proctor?
Giles Ellis is nephew to Deputy Governor
Danforth, and If the worst said of nv
brother James be proven, he may help me
save him from the gallows"
The door was opened quietly at that
moment and slender figure stood on the
threshold, but so light was her football that
neither of them heard it
81 would do as much for your brother
James as you would-but 1 would not save
his life at the cost of nv daughters. 'Tis
plain you seek the favor of one / ne yer
"We are sorely pressed. Do not inter-
tere in this matter I hope Janet will
view it in another light. Where is she?'
"Here am, father" The figure
emerged from the doorway. John Lee
looked at his daughter steadfastly.
$50 you have seen Giles Ellis You
did not speak to him fair see it in your
face. Yet you know my wishes"
81 could not help it, father" She ad-
yanced sppealingly, but he stopped her
with his appraised hand. "Have 1 not been
good father, and a just one? Peace. We
will consider this well. 1t shall not be
said of John Lee that he forced his daughter
to marry against her will
Father, cannot marry Giles Ellis. ]
hate and fear him."
"What words are these? Hatel Fearp'
Then as Janet clasped his arm passion
stely, he stroked her hair softly. "There,
60 to your mother, child" As he left the
room he NUT cred to himself: SIT must be
Proctor-aye tits Proctor
''You did not tell your father why you
are SO set against him?" said her mother,
softly.
"I cannot tell more than have said
81 can, then. 1t is because Arthur Proc
tor is more to your mind-and he is m ore to
mine"
Janet Lee stopped and kissed her mother,
who added in a tone of apprehension: 81 do
not marvel at your father This disgrace
that has fallen on the name lies heavy on
him."
''There is no disgrace, mother. will not
believe it of my Uncle James if a score
should swear it. There never was a Lee
that could kill a neigbbor's cows and
sheep" Janet Lee held her head well up.
There was defiance in her manner and tone.
Her mother smiled sadly as she answered:
81, too, think it is base calumny. But
tits like 10 break your fathers heart, these
stories The town has heard the Indian
story, and disgrace falls heavy upon all OF
US. James Lee was a wild boy when he
ran away to sea; now it is told again, and
gossips make him out a monster"
Her mother held a hand up warningly
'Peace. Your father comes. He is rest
less; he neither sleeps nor eats since this
blow fell on him." The door opened and
John Lee re-entered the room lacing and
ohc4r &c
wife and daughter regarded him in silence
as he paced the floor. Then he sat down
YEARLY, saying to his wife:
Call them in, Dorothea."
He sat beside the table with preoccu-
pied air while his wife rose, brought him
the Bible from the shelf, then stepped to
the door OF the adjoining room and re-
turned with the apprentice and Ann Bigger,
who seated themselves in opposite corners.
The mother and daughter sat near the
table.
John Lee took his spectacles carefully
from their case, rubbed them slowly, still
with preoccupied air, placed the Bible on
his knee, and spoke in grave tones.
''These be troublesome times; we are
surrounded with perils There are things
said and done which only the evil one could
instigate There never was a time when we
stood more in need of the counsel and COM
fort given in this book. Every house in
Salem is threatened; no home is secure; no
person"
A loud rap at the door caused Ezra Easty
to jump. He cast startled look at his
master, then turned Ann Bigger Janet
Lee rose composedly and opened the door.
A middle-aged man stood in the door way
John Lee placed the Bible on the table and
stood up.
''You are somewhat late, Samuel, if you
come on business!'
1T is not d my choosing. I never did
DoreNHRwilling service"
"What mean you?' John Lee spoke in a
civil manner. "If so be you come here for
information concerning my brother James,
know nothing of him. The house is open
to YOU
''It is not concerning James Lee. The
matter concerns you more nearly"
The silence that fell upon the little group
was so oppressive that the apprentice was
sure all there could hear his heart throb-
bing. John Lee fixed penetrating look
upon the Marshal of Salem as he asked:
"W hat is you errand, then?"
81 come as a friend, rather than in nv
official capacity, to warn you that you are
suspected of harboring witches"
Witches! God save us!' exclaimed the
maid, standing upright in her alarm. John
Lee placed hard heavily upon the table
beside him, and sank into his seat over
whelmed, stupefed with amazement that
found no utterance.