The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-09-01
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ~.
In less than a week l found myself
sole tutor to the Rev. Obadiah Porter's
pupils. Martha was right; Miss Judith
had grown tired of the work. and. seiz-
rug the opportunity of my initiation. re-
| Inquished it altogether. / now dined in
the parlor, but took the rest of my meals
| in the kitchen, where / also spent nv
evenings. By and by Martha called nv
attention to a great alteration that lad
taken place in her mistress. There was
worn, anxious look in her face: and
she seldom quilted her own room. Then
we began to notice that Mr.. Rodvelrs
visits grew more infrequent, and at last
ceased altogether.
| One day Mr.. Porter informed me that
| he was going to London for a few DAYS.
Such an event had never happened in
my memory; it was to me the climax of
all the changes.
ITO you, Silas," he said, 81 commit
the care Of the precious lambs OF INV
fold, and you must also give an eye to
household affairs, as my daughter
health is not strong at present. 1t is a
great trust, but you will prove worthy
of it. You are almost like a son to me.
Silas."
He paused upon the last words like
one struck with sudden idea, and while
he stood gazing at me, strange look
stole across his face. For the first time
nj his life he took my hand; his clasp was
cold and clammy: he meant to be kind
| and caressing, but had never felt so re-
PEELED against him. | shuddered, with
boding presentiment of evil.
While he was away Miss Judith took
all her meals in her own room. Thus
the house was almost entirely under the
care of myself and Martha.
On the fifth day after his departure.
at in the evening. Mr. Porter returned.
l was in the front garden. Now this
ground was kept sacred to him and bis
daughter, but having a great love of
flowers, and having acquired some
knowledge Of gardening, i had of late
been privileged to tend the beds, and
prune the shrubs of this exclusive spot.
| had no desire to presume upon this
privilege, as l greatly preferred the more
extensive grounds that lay at the back,
which were free to all. A wall of about
ten feet in height separated this garden
from the road. When saw Mr.. Porter
come through the gate, / was busily en-
ployed in cutting away the dead bios
SONS from very fine rhododendron bush
which stood near one of the parlor win
dows- Although / was in full sight he
did not perceive me. The bush stood
between me and the window. which was
wide open. and entirely concealed me
from any one who might be within. /
heard my master enter the room. and a
minute afterwards he was Joined by his
daughter, whom heard eagerly ask him,
What he had done-had he been sue
cessfuly'
He has gone to Paris" was the reply.
in harsh tone.
"Gone to Parisi Oh, what will be-
come of me-what will become of me p
l heard Judith cry, in tone of despair.
Il loved him very dearly! But he can
not. he will not, he shall not desert mer'
"But he has done it. His last letter
was quite enough. And now he's gone
of to Paris, to get out of the way Of
your reproaches."
"But IL he went to the worlds end,
he should not get beyond the reach of
my revengew she cried, excitedly. "But
how do you know he's gone? Who told
you 80? Perhaps you have been pur-
posely deceived?'
Not such q fool. They'll have to get
up b.times to deceive me! In the first
place, never made any inquiries my
self; friend that they couldn't suspect
did that for me. He left ten days aeo."
What shall do-what shall do p
"And what shall do7v he cried. in
novaRo touA And I heard him smash