The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-09-08

manner was embarrassed. and / could
not endure to meet his eye. He re-
marked upon my pallid looks; l had not
slept wink all night. He asked rather
sharply. What allied me?''
II have a headache; / had a bad
nights rest last night" I stammered
''Oh. we will soon set that al right;
you shall breakfast with me this morn
ing. A cup of strong green tea will
soon kill the headache"
At the table | was treated mort like
a guest than even a member OF the fam
lily. He himself handed to ice the good
things, pressing me to eat and drink Of
all. Martha. who was waiting, could
scarcely contain her wonderment.
"You have taken my place well dur
ing my absence" he said. in fawning
tone. Il am only just beginning to
discover the treasure l have in you. Oh.
what a blessing it is to know that the
seed / have sown viii yield so goodly a
harvest. Well. l am getting old, and
shall soon want a supporter and COM
forter. All, if l had such a son. But
/ must not repine- for / am blessed with
the best of daughters? You two must
be brought more together than you have
been, for you are goodly pair.
He was in q rhapsody of hypocrisy.
He drew his chair close TO mine and took
my hand We were alone now; he had
desired Martha to leave the room.
Have you ever noticed Judith. Silas?
A fine girl though 1 say it, and gifted
with that beauty which to young blood
Is more attractive even than the l'e"u-
" of the spirit. Ii she were to go
into the sinful world she would
scores of lovers. and the children
heathens would flock TO ask her hand ia
marriage. But such is neither my wish
nor hers; I would see her bound III the
holy bands Of wedlock 70 some sober,
pious youth i would not ask of hin, the
goods of Mammon. nor coyet for my
child either gold or jewels. or fine linen.
or silken raiment; for what is all that
compared to that peace of the soul which
passeth all understanding"
/ know not what answer l made or
even whether / made any. to these cum
ming speeches, and others that followed
In the same strain. At last. with many
blessings, that sounded in my ears like
bans. be dismissed me to the school
room. To get away from his hideous
hypocrisy was like emerging from TIE
fetid atmosphere of a sick room into
the pure air of heaven. Business which
had accumulated during his absence kept
him from home all day. and until late
in the evening
As soon as my school duties were an
ished, went into the grounds could
not bear. to be in the house-and sat
there until Martha came out to call me
in to tea.
"Why, whatever is the matter with
you, Master Silas:" she asked. you
look as white as ghost. Are you ili?'
"Oh, no. Martha, | have a headache
nothing more"
Master Silas," said Martha, there's
something wrong with you-something' s
prey ing on YOUR mind. Why was master
so awful civil 10 you this morning? Don't
think I'm asking these questions out of
curiosity. Master Silas. you're as inno-
cent as lam5, That manor any
body else, for the matter of that-could
get you to do anything-get you INTO
goodness knows what trouble. And mark
my words. he's a regular bad 'un. Don't
you be led away by him. He's no good
to you or anybody elsel'
Don't talk like that to me, Martha
/ cried, bursting into tears. "You must
not ask me questions-indeed. you must
not
Poor boy. what have they done to
youY' she said, half to herself ''Well.
don't want to pry into your secrets she
went on: ''bur If | can help you with
advice. or in any other way. don't be
afraid to ask me-"
Heaven bless you, Martha, I won'tr'
cried, throwing my arms round her
neck. and kiss ne her. 1T is not my
secret. or / would tell you air.
How contemplate all this will read
to men of the worid-a youth Of nearly
nineteen, TO depend upon a woman's de-
Tense rather than upon his own courage.
From that cowardly thought, as such
men will phrase it, l began to derive q
little secret comfort.
The next day Judith appeared at din
ner, for the first time during several
weeks She looked exceedingly i'll Mr..
Porter's manner to me was marked by
the .ngratiating demeanor that shudder-
ingly suggested the idea of cunning
hyena Turing me into his den for the
sake Of making a meal of my body.
When the cloth was removed Judith rose
to leave the room, and no persuasions,
winks or signs from her father could in
drce her TO remain.
'Ah, Silas. what q treasure she ISIS
he said. with a hypocritical sigh. as the
door closed behind her. Her dear moth
er, who is now 10 more, left her to me
as a precious token OF holy love-"
He passed his handkerchief across his
eyes. He little thought Whit had over.
heard.
with such a treasure and stainless
conscience. what should a pious youna
man want IN this valley of sin?v he
cried. in an enthusiasm OF self-plauda-
ton.
What, indeedy' I murmured. perceiv-
ing that he expected some answer from
me-
"Truc,-what. indeed:y he echoed
"Yes, one thing be wants ere be departs
for the regions Of the elect-to see the
earthly happiness of that treasure Sc
cured. Have you noticed how i'll judith
has been looking lately:'
answered that observed she looked
very pale.
Something on the mnd-somethin
on the mind. and | think I've found out
what it is Girls will be girls, you know
There's many fine fellow would give
the eyes out OF his head to be in your
shoes Well, | am quite content; she's
quite content; and I'm sure you must b<
quite content: so there's nothing more
to be said in The matter. and the sooner
the affa;s is settled oft-hand, the better
The reverend gentleman was becoming
very repulsive- For time. could not
L - 49, q