The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-03-17
Bound by a Spell
CHAPTER vI.-(Continued.)

Vx"\SOuCluucusJ
After I had sat thus meditating for
about ten minutes. began my work.
wrote very quickly, and In less than an
hour had fniched my task. opened
my door and as quietly as could, with
out an appearance Of stealth. descended
the stairs, hoping to reach the kitchen
unobserved. But my master was watch
Ing too vigilantly; he came out of the
parlor a. reached the landing place.
"What do you want creeping about
the house at this time Of night?" he
asked, sharply.
II was going down into the kitchen
{, get a glass of water" l answered.
II have finished my work."
"You can't go into the kitchen; Mar
tina has gone to bed You can 60 into
my room and get water, and then 60 to
bed"
Without answering him, remounted
the stairs end heard him following me. l
went into his room and drank a glass
Of water, for 1 was really parched with
thirst. While l was there heard him
ascend the second fight of stairs and
20 into my room. As l reached the door
met him coming out, with the envel-
opes in his hand. l wished him good
night, but he did not answer me. l
watched him over the bannisters, heard
him pass along the passage, lock the
street door, take out the key, and then
re-enter the parlor.
II am a prisoner" thought; "and he
will take good care that l have no COM
munication with Martha"
Suddenly l remembered the way
rot out Of the house ON that memorable
October night. As soon a. all were abed,
would creep up to the boys room
they might all be asleep, and not hear
me; and II they should. did not be,
iievs that they would betray me; had
always been as kind to them a. had
dared, shielded them from punishment
when l was able. and l believed that
they liked me.
l felt renewed confidence after this
thought. Il had better lock my door,
/ thought, "in case he should come up
and find me not In bed"
The key was not in the lock! 1t mus
have been taken out while was getting
that glass Of water. This last incident
shook my courage severely. "Perhapi
they want to enter my room, and smoth
or me in my sleep" was my first thought
Then l remembered that had heard my
upon any course Of action until he ha(
satisfied himself Of what knew.
While ! was thus revolving in my
footsteps ascending the stairs. l put ou
my light, and tore of my boots and coat
and then jumped into bed. The foot
steps stopped outside my door. pauset
for several seconds, then l heard tn,
An-Jlo nou<{ouslv turnAd and Guh
began to creep through the slowly open
Ing door. The agony I endured at tina
moment l shall never forget. I coult
not move nor speak. but lay watchin,
the stream of light gradually broaden
until 1t was darkened by the figure O
Mr.. Porter standing upon the threshold
TssraW Of the candle fell upon his face
it, ] ,Stches were inhamed with drink
but otherwise 1t was very pale, AM
there was a haggard look upon it. A
he caught the exprsssion Of my face, b.
started back. am certain It must hav
been very ghastly. A. he stood thus,
fancied l saw 4 black shadow fit sud
denly behind him.
"Ain't you asleepr" he said, in a thicl
voice.
"No, sir. Oh, how you frightene,
me-" l cried. l could not help it.
THAT shows you have a sinful con
science; the righteous are never fright
ened. l am never frightened. Pray
pray, and then go to sleep"
He was more intoxicated than I ha
ever seen him before. He closed tn
door; then l heard him put the key /
the lock; then, click!> The key wa
turned!
My last hope was gone. 1 was power
less, helpless; a prisoner, utterly ut tn
mercy Of this man. l sprang out Q
bed; l searched for a match-there q
not one In the room. I drew up m
blind, hut the night was moonless an
cloudy. opened my window, and lool
ed out. All was deathly still; not
leaf rustled; not ray Of light AM
where: naught but black shadows.
was looking down upon a gulf to whic
there seemed no bottom.
Once. In my desperation. half resolv
ed to cast myself out. but the depth
looked too awful. l closed the windo'
again, lest the temptation should be to
powerful to resist. Bathed in perspir,
ton, yet shivering with cold, utterl
Frustrated by the brooding horror thu
was upon me, l threw myself upon th
bed, and waited my fate.
CHAPTER VII.
How or when I fell asleep I coul
never remember. But I did fall aslee]
Neither can I remember how long
slept. From the time that l threw M.
self despairingly upon my bed, all
hazy. l can never precisely separate II
vision from the reality.
First, the dream. l was living bac
In the past. 1t was the very Octob,
night that l have 70 infinitely describes
was standing at the window Of IL
boys bedroom; was surrounded by IL
old faces that had departed long ag
the moon was shining brightly, as 1t d
on that night. l thought that l hG
just shaken hands all round, and W,
looking below. half fearful Of the peri
GUS descent was about to make. STAN
ing out clearly In the broad light, wit
her face upturned towards mine. was IL