The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1905-02-09
~ Bound by a Spell 81

The money has always been paid regu
: larry to the day. Once | called upor
. Messrs. Fogle and Quick: bur | fount
} them stiff-necked men. OF hard and unre
generate hearts Two years ago | wrote
to say that. as you had passed hey ond
the school boy age, l wished for further
instructions. About week after. / got
a 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 ia
bic sharply with his fist
"What-what do you want me to say.
sirY' | stammered
The truth-what you know"
Il don't know anything-indeed. I 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 a desk be-
side him a small gold locket. and passed
il TO me. saying. This was sewn up
in your frock when you were brought
here l don't think she who brought
you knew anything about it,"
1t contained the portrait OF a very
beautiful young woman-a foreigner, l
should have imagined; dark hair. olive
tinged complexion. also lock of brown
hair; and upon the back was engraved
the initials IF. B." and 'E. NJ" joined
together by a true lovers knot.
THE woman who brought you here"
he went on. was tall and big-boned:
thin. white lips; a nose like a 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
silk. and wore muslin handkerchief
crossed upon her BOSOM"
While he spoke, a veil seemed lifted
from my memory; the woman seemed to
stand before me. | had trembled be-
fore those cold. stony eyes That por
trait. too-my heart told me Ii was my
mothers. and a shadowy remembrance
came upon me that 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.
swell. well. II 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-
Tantsge it would be il you could find
his outi But we won't talk any more
II this at present l have something
Use to speak to you about Silas. ii has
much troubled me. for some time. TO see
youth Of your appearance and proba-
lie prospects doing mental work. I've
ong been thinking whether l couldn't
more proftably employ you; and. after a
ak with my daughter, I've come to the
onclusion that you shall. henceforth,
ssist her in the care OF the boys"
My duties as tutor were to commence
n the next day. really felt very CRATE
D him for what appeared. to my unso-
histicated mind, a great kindness: and
D l told Martha when / went back to {
he Kitchen
well, l don't know about being CRATE
II, Silas," she cried. depend upon II,
Iaster's serving his own turn Miss !
udith's getting very tired Of the work:
nd IL she was to go away. what would
= do? 1t wouldn't suit him to have a d
ranger in the house. Now don't you Q
e that he couldn't do without you i
at you're the very thing he wants." n
Martha's worldly view Of the matter 2
mewhat dashed my exalted feelings Of =
attitude; vet, for all that. l still felt '
ny thankful for the change.