The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-03-17

Strength deserted me- my nanu6 relaxed
their grasp Of the boughs, my feet slid
powerlessly from their hold. and fell
The reality. awoke-not with
start, but l slowly rose up into sit
ting posture, as though an iron lever,
worked by some hiddenu power, had
pressed me upwards. could feel that
my eyes were wide open and staring
my whole body locked and rigid.
Upon the desk at the foot Of the bed
stood lamp, the light OF which was
strongly intensified by a reflector Its
glare fell full upon woman's face. In
an instant l recognized Judith Porter.
She was attired In dress Of black vel
vet, made high up to her throat; draped
behind her head was a curtain of black
velvet, upon which was. as 1t were,
thrown in powerful relief her pale coun-
tenance and red hair. Her eyes were
unnaturally dilated and fixed. They
| seemed drawing my soul out of my body,
and absorbing it in themselves.
Ny next sensation was that I was
speaking-answ ering questions, of what
| nature could not tell, for the answers
were made without any volition on my
part: they seemed drawn by come occult
|
of my memory.
| BY and by all consciousness deserted
me, and I became motionless. When l
awoke was lying just as had thrown
myself, half dressed, upon the bed. The
dull light Of lowering sky. out of which
the rain was descending IN torrents, was
upon me. My visitant had left no trace
behind her; every article was precisely
| L., Al for I
remember, as when l retired to rest.
| + got off the bed and bathed my head
and face with cold water. This revived
brain that l could not clear away. As
my faculties resumed their functions, l
became conscious of sensations yet more
strange. There was a feeling Of void
ness, as though some vital principle had
been drawn from me; but, above all,
there was an intense longing to be again
within the influence of those eyes-yet l
shuddered at the thought. There was a
spell upon me-a spell that drew me
irresistibly towards Judith Porter.
Mr.. Porter's threat was no idle one.
Body and soul was, through his daush-
ter utterly subdued to his will. Out
of her presence, l felt that l could not
|
spaniel dog. l was ever trying to catch
her gaze; a few seconds beneath its in
fiuence reduced me to a trance-like state,
my keeping into hers. My sleep-when
he unted by the widest fantasies. Ny
health soon began to suffer; my cheeks
became hollow, my looks emaciated. 1t
~ yfnU
upon my life. 1t was not love that
she inspired me with, but fearful fasci-
nation; while lay at her feet, passion
ately imploring her to take pity upon me,
to give me her love, to become my wife,
l l would have given the world to have
possessed the power to fly from her to
was her slave-bound to her by chains
stronger than were ever forged by hu
man hands.
And she was merciless In her power
She hated me, loathed me. despised me
She did not tell me SO. but my instincts
now preternaturally sensitive. needed nc
words to divine her thoughts. While 6
free agent, l had refused, shrunk from
an alliance with her, and she was now
enjoying her vengeance.
"You should have taken me when
: was offered to you." she said, mocking
ly. "now 1t is too late!"
knew she did not mean the latter
, part of her sentence. l knew that aftel
, she had glutted herself with my torture
) she would become my wife. I could reat
1t as plainly as though her mind hat
been a printed book open before me.
. still went through the form of super
? intending the boys, but was very littl'
use in this pitiable condition. and Mr.
Porter himself was oftener in the schoo
room than had ever known him before
He treated me the same as usual, but h
never regarded me without a cunnin,
leer of triumph. Except during tn
I school hours l was never suffered t.
, enter the kitchen, or to exchange
word with Martha. l afterwards learn
ed that she made several attempts to ge
to me, but all these efforts were bake,
' by the vigilance of her master or mis-
, tress.
: As for me, made no effort to see bel
y neither had any desire; WIS ALLEVIATE,
I from every object in life save one. On
Q night, as l was going to bed, foun
her standing close against the wall upol
the first landing. She laid her ham
upon my arm, and said, In whisper
i What are they doing to you. Maste
}, Silasi What has SO awfully change
I you? You don't look like a creature o
: this world. Can l do anything for you
q you can't do anything for me, Mai
. tina. Thank you for your Offer" said
pressing her hand.
+ as 1t true that you are going to maj
~ Mis- Judith?'
IL hope So" I answered.; and yet
shuddered as I spoke.
q "Poor boy! Whatever can 1t be tina
). ails you? do believe that woman ha
4 bewitched your
4 Before l could answer. the sound @
8 footsteps In the passage warned us tina
/ spies were at hand. l blew out IN
/ candle and crept upstairs; and Marth
h disappeared In another direction.
Q One evening, several Of the principe
= members of the congregation Of Littl
z bethlehem were invited to tea. l wa
u present, and WAS seated next to judith
}. who was kind and almost affectionate /
l her demeanor towards me.