The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-02-11
~ Bound by a Spell /
CHAPTER yI.-(ContinuedJ

CHAPTER VI.-(Continuedl
After | had sat thus meditating for
about ten minutes. began my work.
wrote very quickly, and in less than an
hour had 6nished my task. | opened
my door and as quietly as | could, with
out an appearance OF stealth, descended
the stairs. hoping to reach the ki;cl en-
nnobserved. But my master was watch
ing too yigilantly: be came out OF the
parlor as | reached the landing place.
what do you want creeping about
the house at this time OF nightI" he
asked, sharply.
Il was going down into the kitchen
{ get glass OF water" | answered.
Il have finished my work"
you can't 90 into the kitchen; Mar
tina has gone 20 bed. You can 20 into
my room and ger water. and thsn go To
bed"
Without answering him. | remounted
the stairs and heard him following me.
went into his room and drank glass
OF water. for | was really parched with
thirst While I was there ] heard him
ascend the second flight OF stairs and
90 into my room. As reached the door
l met him coming out, with the enyel-
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
re enter the parlor.
II am a prisoner" thought: and be
win take good care that | have no com
munication with Martha"
Suddenly | remembered the way l
got out OF the house on that memorable
October night. As soon as 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-
hevs that they would betray me: | bad
always been as kind to them as | had
dared. shielded them from punishment
when l was able. and 1 believed that
they liked me.
thought Il had better lock my door"
Thought. in case he should come up.
and ana me not in bed"
The kcY was not in the lock! Il must
have ben taken out while | was getting
ear glass OF water This last incident
shook my courage severely Perhaps
they want 90 enter my room. and smuth-
or me in my sleepn was my first thought.
L 1
master say that he should not resolve
upon any course OF action until be had
satisfied himself OF what | knew.
While I was thus revolving Ia ny
mind every imaginable horror heard
footsteps ascending the stairs. | put out
my light. and tore oil thy boots and coat.
and then jumped iuto bed The foot.
steps stopped outside my door. paused
=
handle cautiously turned. and a Exht
began 70 creep through the slowly open
ing door The agoAy I endured at that
moment | shall never forget. could
not move nor speak. but lay watching
the stream OF light gradually broaden.
until IL vas darkcned BY the hRur. Of
Mr. Porter standing upon the threshold.
The rays OF the candle fell upon his face.
its blotches were iuaamed with driak,
bur otherwise ii was very pale, and
there was a hagxard look upon IT, A
he caught the expression OF my face. he
started back. | am certain II must have
been very ghastly As be stood thus,
fancied saw a black shadow fit sud
denly behind him.
Amt you aslssp?" he said. in a thick
voice
"No. sir Oh, now you frightened
ne" | cried. could not help it.
That shows yon have a sinful ccn-
science the righteous are never fright
ened. | am never frightened. Prey
pray. and then 20 10 sleep"
He 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
by last hope was gone. was power
less, helpless. > prisoner. utterly nj the
merry Of this man. sprnn= out OF
bed, / searched for match-thers y as
not one in the room. | drew up my
blind. but the night was nnoouiess and
cloudy. opened my window. and loox-
ed ont. All vas deathly still not a
leaf rusiied. not a ray OF light any
where Haught but black shadows
ives looking down upon a gulf 10 which
there seemed 70 bottom
Once, In my desperation. I half rssolv-
Cd To cast myself ont. but the depths
looked too awful closed the window
again, lest the temptation should be too
powerful TO rssist Bathsd in perspirn
tim, yet shiYerinz with cold. utterly
Frustrated by the broodiuz horror that
was upon me, | threw myself upon the
bed. aud waited ms fate.