Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-08-10
CHAPTER V.

examining the boys. W nat we mass
of hypocrisy all this seemed TO me by
the new lights that had broken upon me.
Judith was not present. | felt thai my
manner was embarrassed. and / could
not endure to meet his eye. He re-
marked upon my pallid looks; | had not
slept a wink al night. He asked rather
sharply, What allied me?'
Il have d headache; l had bad
nights rest last night" / stammerel.
ooh. we will soon set that all right;
you snail breakfast with me this morn
fng. A cup Of strong green tea Will
soon kill the headache"
At the table | was treated more like
a guest than even member of the fam
lily. He himself handed to me 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 a fawning
tone. II am only just beginning 10
discover the treasure have in you. Oh
what a blessing it is to know that the
seed have sown win yield sc good!yl a
harvest. Well. | am getting old, and
shall soon want Il supporter and com
forter. An, if l had such a son! But
I must not repine, for | am blessed with
the best of daughters? You two rl}'st
be brought more together than you have
been, for you are a goodly rair."
He was in a 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. Silasf
A fne girl, though I say it, and gifted
with that beauty which to young blood
Is more attractive even than the beau
1y OF the spirit. II she were to go forth
into the sinful world she would have
scores of lovers. and the children of the
'heathens would flock to ask her hand in
marriage. But such is neither my wish
nor hers: | would see her bound in the
holy bands OF wedlock TO some sober,
pious youth. would not ask OF him the
goods Of Mammon no. covet 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 understandings
l know not what answer l made, or
even whether l made any, TO these e"n-
ming speeches. and others that followed
in the same strain. At last. with man
blessings, that sounded in my ears lie
bans. he dismissed me to the schfol
room. To get away from his hide 'us
hypocrisy was like emerging fToFr: the
fetid atmosphere OF n sick r51m into
the pure air Of heaven. BuSlness which
had accumulated during hi absence kept
him from home all dav. and until late
in the evening.
As soon rs my school duties were FIN
fshed. | went into the grounds could
not bear to be in the hopse-and sat
there until Martha came odt to call me
In TO tea.
"Why. whatever is the matter with
you, Master Silas?" she asked. ''You
look rs white as ghost! Are you III
"Oh. no. Martha, l have a headache
nothing more
Master Silas," said Martha. there's
something wrong with you--something's
preying on your mind. Why was master
so awful civil 70 you this morning? Don't
think I'm asking these questions ont OF
curiosity Master Siias, you're as limo
cent as a lamb. 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 WDfuN, ne ; ! tEAuAaA btih NAs AFVu
you be led away by him! He's no good
to you or anybody else.
"Dnn't talk like that TO me. Martha"
I cried. bursting into tears. lyon must
not ask me questions-indeed, You must
not"
Poor boyi what have they done to
you?" she said. half to herself. well, 1
don't want to pry into your secrets" she
went on; "but II | can help you with
advice. or in any other way, don't be
afraid to ask me-
Heaven bless you, Martha. WON'T
I erie,i. throwing my arms round her
neck. and kissing her. 1T is not my
secret, or / would tell you air.
How contemplate all this will read
TO men OF the world-a youth OF nearly
nineteen. to depend upon woman's de
Tense rather than upon his own courage.
FROM that cowardIy thought, as such
men viii phrase it. began to derive a
title secret comfort
The next day Judith appeared at din
,ner, for the first time during several
week, She looked exceedingly ILL., Mr..
Portel's manner 10 me was marked By
the insratiating demeanor that shuider-
ingly suggested the idea of cunning
hyena Turing me into his den for the
sake Il making meal OF my body.
When the cloth was removed Judith rose
60 leave the room, aud no persua,ipns
wiuks or signs from her father could IL
duce her TO remain.
"Ah. Stlas. what q treasure she Isl"
ne said. with 4 hypocriticai sigh. as the
door closed behind her. Her dear moth
er. who is now no more. left her to me
as a precious token Of holy love"
lie passed his handkerchief across hi,
eyes lie little thought what had over
BEARD.
With such q treasure and stainles,
conscience. what shOald a pious young
man want in this valley of sin?" h,
cried. in al enthusiasm OF seif-plauda
tie1.
What, indeed2" I murmured. perceiv
ing that lie expected some answer from
me.
"True.-what. indeedg" he echoed
Yes. enc thins he wants ere he depart,
for the region, 81 the elect-t0 see III,
earthly happiness OF that treasure So
cured Have You noticed how II Juditl
has been looking lately r
l answered that l observed she l0oket
very pale.
Something on the mind-somethin.
on the mind. and ! think I've found on
What il is Girls will be girls. you know
There's many fine fellow would civ,
thu eyes out Of has lead 20 b., in You
shoes. Well, / am quite content: she
quite content; and : IN sure you must b.
quite content: Sc there's nothing NOR
To be said in the matter and the soone
the affair is settled off-hand. the better