The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-02-25

to be said In the matter, and the sooner
the AFFAIR 10 settled oh-hand, the better"
The reverend gentleman was becoming
very repulsiye. For time, could not
understand his meaning; at last, it be-
gan 70 dawn upon me-he actually meant
to infer that Judith was in love with
me. What an idiot he must have thought
me! And yet, without the key his CON
versation with his daughter had given,
might not, in my simple trust Of his
truth. have believed I shame to say,
that fear might. But knowing what
did, I felt positively sick at the nause-
GUS hypocrisy and falsehood of. the man.
He paused, rubbed his hands, then
brushed back his hair, chuckled and
waited for me to speak. What could
do-what could say2 Must / yield to
this mans incIinations without O Rtrug
gle? Did he suspect that knew aught
OF his secrets, what might he not do to
me? Kill me--imprison me for ufei In
stincttvely / felt that he would pause at
nothing to secure his own ends. must
say something. To his proposition, or
rather to his inuendoes, could make NO
reply. would evads the Question-try
to turn the subject. AS a matter Of
course. / said the thing which above all
others / ought not to have said.
did you hear anything about my
friends while you were III the city3"
Had thunderbolt fallen at his feet It
could not more suddenly have changed
his whole demeanor. He pushed back
his chair with start; and such look
of fierce inquiry came into his face, such
a savage twinkle came into his eyes, that
l felt sure he was going to strike me
down upon the spot. The words were
scarcely of my lips before I was con-
scious Of the irretrievable bluuder had
made.
What do you meanT' he cried, men
acinEly.
"Did you not say you intended to make
further inquiries when you went to the
city," faltered.
mot to you. Have you been listen
ingT
could feel the telltaIe blod rush into
my face at the question. "Ever since
you were speaking to me on the subject,
have thought of nothing else" cried,
In the same faltering voice.
Look here, Master Silas; what's the
meaning Of this behavior2 There's some
ner. Don't attempt to humbug me, be-
are such Thoroughbred idiot that you
don't understand the drift Of what I've
been saying2 I'll satisfy myself upon
that point by and by. In the meanwhile,
I'll speak little palmer. I mean you
to marry my daughter. To this you can't
possibly make any objection, as all the
sacrifice is on my side and hers. Now
come, what do you say to that2"
Now that he had thrown off the mask,
and spoken more plainly, felt, for the
first time in my life, something like
courage to oppose him. II know that
possess no advantages to entitle mo to
such a match, but l am too young to
marry" said, with some little firm
ness.
II am the best Judge Of that" he an
swered sharply.
But I have no wish to marry"
what" he exclaimed, furiously. "Do
you mean to say that you've the Impu-
dence to refuse my daughter?"
Then followed a string Of invectiveS
and opprobrious epithets that need not
repeat. He literally foamed at the
mouth.
"You shall smart for this insultv' he
went on, wiping the perspiration from
his face. "You shall go down upon
your knees and beg my pardon for this,
and pray with all your heart and soul
for what you've just refusedw
With these words, and casting a ma
lignant look upon me, he hurried out of
the room.
sank into a chair, literally stupefied
and overw helmed. But even the faint
resistance that had made inspired me
with new confidence. felt that was
no longer a school boy, but verging on
manhood: that it was cowardly and dis
graceful to yield a slavish obedience
against my conscience to such a man
as he had now shown himself. The first
resolution formed consequent upon this
better and frmer state Of mind was that
would make a clean breast to Martha
of all l knew, and then be guided by
her superior worldly wisdom as to what
l had better do. Feeling much relieved,
went up to the school room to super
intend the afternoon tasks.