The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-02-04
CHAPTER V.

Of hypocrisy all this seemed to me by
the new lights that had broken upon me.
Judith was not present | felt tina. my
manner was embarrassed, and l could
not endure to meet his eye. He re-
marked upon my pallid looks; had not
slept a wink all night. He asked rather
sharply. What allied meP'
81 have a headache: l had a bad
nights rest last night" stammered.
"Ohl We will soon set that all right;
you snail breakfast with me this morn
ing. cup OF strong green tea will
soon kill the headache"
At the table | was treated more like
q guest than even a member OF the fam
ily. He himself handed to me the good
things. pressing me to eat and drink OF
ell. Martha. who was waiting. could
scarcely contain her wouderment,
you have taken my place well dur
ing my absence" he said. in a fawning
tone Il am only just beginning to
discover the treasure l have in you. Oh.
what a blessing il Is TO know that the
seed have sown win yield so goodly
harvest! Well l am getting old. and
shall soon want a supporter and com
forter. All. II l had such son! But
] must not repine. for | am blessed with
the best OF daughtersl You tive must
BE- brought more together than you have
been. for You are a Eoodly pair.
He was in a rhapsody Of hypocrisy.
He drew his chair close to mine and took
my hand. We were alone now; he had
desired Martha to leave the room
Have you ever noticed Judith. Silas?
A hne girl, though l say il. and gifted
with that beauty which to young blood
a. tho ham
" OF the spirit II she were to 90 forth
into the sinful world she would have
scores OF lovers. and the children OF the
heathens would Hock to ask her hand in
marriage. But such is neither my wish
nor hers: would see her bound IN the
holy bands OF wedlOck TO some sober,
pious youth. | would not ask OF him the
goods OF Mammon. nor covet fer my
child either gold, or Jewels, or hne linen,
or gilken Faimsnt: for what Is all that
compared to that peace Of the s0ul which
passeth all understanding
l know not what answer I made, or
even whether | made any, to these Gun
ninx speeches. and others that followed
On the same strain. At last. with many
blessings. that sounded in my earS Ike
bans, he dismissed me 70 the school
room To get away from his hidenus
hypocrisy was like emerging from the
9etid atmosphere Of q sick room into
the pure air Of heaven Business which
lad accumulated during his absence kept
Aim from home all day, and until late
n the evening.
As soon as my school duties were in
iShed. went into the grounds could
not bear to be in the hOuse-and sat
there until Martha came out t. call me
IN to tea
"why. whatever Is the matter with
you. Master SilasT she asked ~You
look az white as a ghost! Are you iii p
oh, no. Martial ! have headache
nothing more"
master Silas," said Martha. there's
something wrong with you-somsthing'
pres ing 0n your mind Why was master
50 awful civil TO you this morning? Don't
think I'm asking these questions cut Of
curiosity Master Silas. you re a. limo
sent IS lamb. That manor any
body else. for the matter Of that-could
get you to do anything-get zen into
goodness knows what trouble. And mark
my words, he's a regular bad 'un' DOa't
you be led away By him, He's ne good
70 you or anybody else
Don't talk like that 10 ne. Martha"
/ cried, bursting into tears. You must
NOT - me Questions-indeed, you must
not
Poor boy! what have they done TO
ycu 2 she said, half to herself W. ell. /
don't want to Dry into your secrets" she
went on but II l can help you with
advice. or in any other way. don't be
afraid to ask me-
Heaven bless you, Martha. | won't"'
I cried. throwing my arms round her
neck. and kissing her. 1T is not my
secret. or would tell you ALL
How contemplate all this viii read
60 men Of the woFld-a youth 81 nearly
nineteen. to depend upon a womaH's de-
Tense rather than upon his own courage.
From that cowardly thought. as such
men will phrase it, | began to derive a
little secret comfort
The next day Judith appeared At din
ner for the first time during several
weeks. She looked exceedingly III. Mr
Porters manner to me was marked by
the ingratiatinE demeanor that shudder-
ingly suggested the idea Of a cunning
hyeua Turing me into his den for the
sake Of making q meal Of my body.
When the cloth was removed Judith rose
10 leave the room, and no persua-i5ns.
winks or signs from her father could in
duce her 70 remain.
"Ah. Silas. what a treasure she ls"'
he said. with a hypocritical sizh. a. the
door closed behind her. Her dear moth
er, who is now no more. left her 10 me
as precious token Of holy love"
He passed bis handkerchief across his
eyes. He little thought what | had over
heard.
with such a treasure and a stainless
conscience, what should a pious young
man want in this valley OF sin?' he
cried, In an enthusiasm Of self-pln uda-
ton.
what. indeedT' I murmured. perreiv-
ing that he expected some answer from
me
'True!-what. indeedT' he echoed.
Eyes. one thing he wants ere he depa rts
for the regions Of the slsct-to see the
earthly happiness Of that treasure se.
cured. Have you noticed how III Judith
has been looking latelyT
q ~ 4 ah.a - -