Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-03-03

uen- was disturbed IN the mast OF
my meditations by the sound Of voices,
Their owners were walking in the gar
den, and presently l could hear their
footsteps close behind me. For the sec
ond time became an involuntary caves
dropper. Covering still closer to the
earth, | caught their words.
II tell you, Judith, he knows some
thing! / believe he's been istening!'
heard Mr. Porter say.
''He has not the brains or the cOur-
age" she answered scornfully. Hes
simply foolg'
why, then, should he ask me such a
question, and follow it up by stammer-
ing that / had told him? / intended do
ing so before l went away; I certainly
did intend doing so, but never mention
ed it even to you. Besides that, there's
been a great change in him during these
few days back. Instead of being grcte-
full, as he always was before, for any lit
tie indulgence, he seems to shrink from
it and from me, tool" Then he added
quickly, as though a sudden idea had
struck him, where was he the night
that / came back7 If remember, we
held all our talk in the parlor, with the
window wide open, and you didn't speak
in very low tones"
An exclamation broke from Judith.
The footsteps paused close behind me.
feared they would hear the violent heat
ing of my heart.
"Stop!" she cried. "That reminds me!
Not quarter of an hour before you
returned he was clipping a bush in front
of that window. / saw him from my
bedroom"
There was an ominous pause; in my
minds eye l could picture their looks
of CONSERVATION.
why did you not tell me this?" said
Mr.. Porter, in troubled voice.
II never thought of it until this in
slant" she answered. II was too eager
to hear your news, to think of him"
If he heard all that passed in that
room, he knows enough to utterly de-
stroy us. We are completely in his pow
er. More than that, have given him a
clue that may lead to profitable discov-
cries for himself"
And my humiliation known to that
contemplate cur! Oh, heavens! cannot
survive it," she cried, passionately.
'Silencep said her father, in a stern
voice. 'This is no time for raving; this
must be seen to at once. We must not
lose moment To question him in the
usual way is useless, We must resort
to the other this very night. Until we
find out what he really does know, we
can't tell what to do. That once known,
/ shan't want much consideration"
Where is he now? Have you seen
him latelyY'
Il heard him leave the boys room at
9 O'Clock. have not seen or heard him
since then"
go and see where he is at once; he
might have left the house while we are
standing here"
In an instant heard them hurrying
towards the house. / sprang to my feet,
ran across the orchard into the kitchen
garden, rushed into the summer house,
laid my book upon the table, and rest
Ing my head upon my hands, assumed an
attitude Of attentive study. My breath
came short and thick, and my breast
was heaving when heard my masters
hasty footsteps upon the path.
He began in a bullying tone; then be-
thinking him that he was betraying him
self, stopped short The expression of
my face evidently disconnected him.
What are you doing here?" he asked,
not knowing what to say to
cover his blunder
Il usually come here Of an evening to
read" / said quietly. 81 never heard |
you object to it before"
"Oh, it isn't that; but get the boys in
at once" he said.
Very well, sir" l closed my book, |
and went to find the boys; my master adj |
vancing in the same direction, that he |
should not lose sight of me. felt that |
from that moment a constant watch |
would be set upon me.
1 led the boys into the house, and up |
into the school room. But the prayer |
that was in my heart and on my lips |
were not in unison with that which |
sounded on my ears. | was praying to |
escape from that dreadful house. | had
taken the desperate resolution that l !
would not pass another night beneath
the roof.
The boys were dismissed to bed half |
an hour earlier than usual. was going
down to the kitchen when Mr.. Porter
stopped me.
1--WE some work for you, Silas Fold
and put these tracts into envelopes, and
iirect them; I'll give you the list of
names. You can carry pen and ink, and
your desk, into your own room, and do
hem there"
He gave me pile of papers, which /
carried into my room, and then fetched
he desk and writing materials, he watch
ng me all the time. went In, and shut
he door; then l heard him walk away.
did not touch my work, but sat down
lpon the side of the bed, and tried to
.hink how could get away. had no
money! knew nothing of the roads;
,ut better to starve, to die under hedge
han remain in that mans power. III
,ould only get Ave minutes talk with
Martha, she would help me-would per
laps direct me where to go.
CTO be continued.D