Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-01-20

q
to say that, as you had passed be! ond
the school boy age, 1 wished for further
instructions. About a week after, l got
short note, saying that you were still
to remain with me; but as they desired
that you should not contract idle habits,
was to give you some sort Of useful
employment. Why don't you say some
thing, Silas?" he cried, striking the ta-
BILE sharply with his fist.
"What-what do you want me to say,
sirT' I stammered.
"The truth-what you know"
II don't know anything-indeed. do
not.'
There was a savage look about him, as
though he would have liked to have
squeezed something more out Of my
throat. Then he took out Of desk be-
side him a small gold locket, and passed
it to me, saying, "This was sewn up
in your frock when you were brought
here. 1 don't think she who brought
you knew anything about it."
1t contained the portrait Of a very
beautiful young woman-a foreigner,
should have ina gined; dark hair, olive
tinged complexion, also lock Of brown
hair; and upon the back was engraved
the initials ''F. B." and "E. M" Joined
together by true lovers knot.
''The woman who brought you here"
he went on, was tall; and big-boned;
thin, white lips; a nose like parrots
beak; light gray eyes, as cold as stone.
She wore a front of dark brown hair,
dressed in small fat curls, and bound
round the forehead by band of narrow
black velvet; she was dressed in black
al ha of
crossed upon her BOSOM"
While he spoke, veil seemed lifted
from my memory; the woman seemed to
stand before me. I had trembled be-
fore those cold, stony eyes. That por-
trait, too-my heart told me it was my
mothers, and a shadowy remembrance
came upon me that l had been at some
time fondled by such a face.
The Rev. Obadiah Porter was evident
ly disappointed at the result of his reve
lations. He snatched the locket out Of
my hand, and then locked it up in the
desk again.
"Well. we'll, If you can't remember,
you can't" he said, irritably. But
when you are alone, or In bed, try and
think. Who knows?-you might be the
| child of some great or rich people," he
| added, cunningly. "Think what an ad-
vantage it would be if you could find
this out! But we won't talk any more
of this at present. 1 have something
else to speak to you about. Silas, it has
much troubled me, for some time, to see
a youth Of your appearance and proba-
BILE prospects doing menial work. I've
T, long been thinking whether I couldn't
more pro6tably employ you; and, after a
talk with my daughter, I've come to the
conclusion that you shall, henceforth,
assist her in the care of the boys"
Ny duties as tutor were to commence
on the next day. really felt very CRATE
to him for what appeared, to my unso-
phisticated mind, a great kindness; and
so I told Martha when I went back to
the kitchen.
swell, don't know about being crate.
full, Silas," she cried. depend upon it.
masters serving his own turn. Miss
Judith's getting very tired of the work
and If she was to 60 away, what would
he do? 1t wouldn't suit him to have q
stranger in the house. Now don't you
see that he couldn't do without you
that you're the very thing he wants:"
Martha's worldly view of the matter
somewhat dashed my exalted feelings OF
gratitude; vet, for all that, l still felt
very thankful for the change.
CHAPTER ".
In less than a week I found myself
sole tutor to the Rev. Obadiah Porter's
pupils. Martha was right; Miss judith
had grown tired Of the work, and, seiz
ing the opportunity of my initiation, re
linquished it altogether. I now dined il
the parlor, but took the rest of my meal.
in the kitchen, where 1 also spent m,
,, evenings. By and by Martha called m,
. attention to a great alteration that hat
taken place in her mistress. There wa
worn, anxious look in her face; an,
she seldom quilted her own room. The1
we began to notice that Mr.. RodweIl'
visits grew more infrequent, and at las
ceased altogether.
One day Mr.. Porter informed me tha
he was going to London for a few days
: Such an event had never happened i
my memory; it was to me the climax o
: all the changes.
sTo you, Silas," he said, 81 commi
the care of the precious lambs OF m
fold, and you must also give an eye t
household affairs, as my daughter
health. Is not strong at present. 1t is
great trust, but you will prove worth
; of it. You are almost like son to m.
!, Silas."
He paused upon the last words Iik
= one struck with sudden idea, and Will
he stood gazing at me, strange loo
a stole across his face. For the first tim
nj his life he took my hand; his clasp wa
n cold and clammy; he meant to be kin
. and caressing, but I had never felt so r,
v PEELED against him. I shuddered, wit
il boding presentiment Of evil.
n While he was away Miss Judith toe
}. all her meals in her own room. Thr
/ the house was almost entirely under tt
f care of myself and Martha.
IS On the fifth day after his departur
q at 8 in the evening, Mr.. Porter returne
= was in the front garden. Now tn
r ground was kept sacred to- him and b
IT daughter, but having a great love
u flowers, and having acquired son
Y. knowledge of gardening, / had of la
u been privileged to tend the beds, NJ
q, prune the shrubs of this exclusive spe
d I had no desire to presume upon tn
,e privilege, as greatly preferred the mo
I'd extensive grounds that lay at the bac
le which were free to all. A wall of abo