The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-02-08
CHAPTER vI.-(Continued)

wrote very quickly, aud In less thau an
hour I had finished my task. l opened
my door and as quietly as I could. with
out an appearance Of stealth, descended
the stairs, hoping to reach the ki.c' en-
unobserved. But my master was watch
ing too vigilantly: he came out OF the
parlor as ! reached the landing place.
What do you want creeping about
the house at this time of nishtT' he
asked, sharply.
IL was going down into the kitchen
Z. get a glass OF water | answered.
Il have finished my work
"lou can't go into the kitchen; Mar
tina has gone to bed. You can so into
my room and get water. and then so to
bed"
Without answering him. I renounted
the stairs aud heard him following me.
went into his room and drank glass
of water, for I was really parched with
thirst. While | was there | heard him
ascend the second flight OF stairs and
go into my room. AS l reached the door
l met him coming out. with the enrel-
opes in his hand. | wished him good
night, but he did not answer me.
watched him over the bannisters, heard
him pass along the passage, lock the
street door, take out the key, and then
reenter the parlor.
II nm a prisoner" thought: "and he
will take good care that | have no com
munication with Martha"
Suddenly 1 remembered the way l
got out of the house on that memorable
October night. AS soon as all were abed
1 would creep up to the boys room
they might all he asleep, and not hear
me; md il they should. | did not be
lieve that they would betray me; had
always been as kind to them as | had
dared. shielded them from punishment
when l was able. and | believed that
they liked me.
/ felt renewed confidence after this
thought. IL had better lock my door"
I thought, "in case he should come up,
and find me not in bed"
The key was not in the lock! 1t must
have been taken out while | was getting
that glass of water. This last incident
shook my courage severely. Perhaps
they want to enter my room, and snOth-
er me in my sleep!" was my first thought.
Then remembered that had heard my
master say, that he should not resolve
upon any course Of action until he had
satisfied himself of what l knew.
While | was thus revolving in my
mind every imaginable horror, l heard
footsteps ascending the stairs put out
my light. and tore off my boots and coat.
and then jumped into bed. The foot
steps stopped outside my door. paused
for several seconds. then | heard the
handle cautiously turned. and light
began to creep through the slowly open
ing door. The agony endured ut that
moment shall never forget. l could
not move nor speak. but lay watching
the stream OF light gradually broaden,
until it was darkened by the figure of
Mr. Porter standing upon the threshold.
The rays OF the candle fell upon his face;
its blotches were in1amed with drink,
but otherwise it was very pale, and
there was haggard look upon it, As
he caught the expression of my face, he
started back. am certain it must have
been very CHASTITY. As he stood thus,
fanciea l saw black shadow fit sud
derry behind him.
"Aiu't you asleep2' he said, in thick
voice.
mo. sir. Oh, how you frightened
met l cried. | could not help it.
That shows you have sinful ccn-
science; the righteous are never fright
ened. am never frightened. Pray
pray. and then go to sleep"
lie was more intoxicated than had
ever seen him before. He closed the
door: then heard him put the key in
the lock: then. click! The key was
turned!
Nv last hone was gone I was pover.