The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-03-04
CHAPTER vr.--(Continued.)

ahcut ten minutes, began my work. /
wrote very quickly, and In less than an
hour | had finished my task. ! opened
nv door and as quietly as could, with
ont 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
norlor as / reached the landing place.
"What do you want creeping about
rhe house at this time of nightY' he
asked, sharply.
~ was going down into the kitchen
{. get glass Of water" answered.
IT have finished my work"
"You can't 20 into the kitchen; Mar
tim has gone to bed. You can 60 into
my room and get water, and then 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 was there heard him
ascend the second fight of stairs and
20 into my room. As reached the door
| met him coming out, with the envel-
ones in his hand. l wished him good
night, but he did not answer me. I
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.
81 am a prisoner" I thought; land he
will take good care that have NO COM
muncation with Martha"
Suddenly / remembered the way
got out of the house on that memorable
October night. AS soon as all were abed,
80 h.
they might all be asleep, and not hear
me; and il they should, l did not be-
lieve that they would betray me; had
always been as kind to them as had
dared shielded them from punishment
when was able, and | believed that
they liked me.
l felt renewed confidence after this
thought. II had better lock my door,"
| thought, "in case he should come up,
and find me not in bed"
The key was not in the lockl 1t must
have been taken out while l was getting
that glass Of water. This last incident
shook my courage severely. Perhaps
they want to enter my room, and smuth-
err me in my sleep" was my first thought.
Then l remembered that had heard my
master say that he should not resolve
upon any course of action until he had
satisfied himself of what / 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 l heard the
handle cautiously turned and a light
began to creep through the slowly open-
ing door. The agony l endured at that
moment l shall never forget could
not move nor speak, but lay watching
the stream Of light gradually broaden.
until 1t was darkened by the figure Of
Mr. Porter standing upon the threshold.
The rays of the candle fell upon his face:
'tS blotches were infamed with drink.
but otherwise 1t was very pale, and
there was haggard look upon it, AS
he caught the expression of my face, he
started back. l am certain it must have
peen very CHASTITY. AS he stood thus,
Hancied | saw a black shadow fit sud
denly behind him.
Amt you aseep?" he said, in a thick
voice
NO, sir. Oh, how you frightened
AGp
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"
lie was more intoxicated than I had
ever seen him before. He closed the
door; then l heard him put the key in
the lock; then, click! The key was
turned
My last hope was gone. | was power
leSS' helpless; prisoner, utterly ut the
mercy OF this man. l sprang out of
Oeu; searched for a match-there " as
not one III the room. l drew up my
Dllnn' but the night was moonless and
cloudy. l opened my window. and Look
eu out All was deathly still; not
leat rustled; not a ray of light any
Nnere; naught but black shadows.
was looking down upon a gulf to which
mere seemed no bottom.
Once, in my desperation. I half resoly-
ca Il" cast myself out, but the depths
looked too awful. l closed the window
again. lest the temptation should be too
powerful to resist Bathed in perspira-
tion' yet shivering with cold, utterly
Frustrated by the brooding horror that
was upon me, l threw myself upon the |
oeo' and waited my fate.
CHAPTER VII,
How or when l fell asleep l could |
r. II