Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-03-04
a large pear tree, I soon forgot my trou-

Their owners were walking in the gar
den, and presently L could hear their
footsteps close behind me. For the sec
ond time l became an involuntary caves
dropper. Covering still closer to the
earth. l caught their words.
Il tell you, Judith, he knows some
thingl 1 believe he's been listeningr'
heard Mr., Porter say.
He has not the brains or the cour-
age!" she answered scornfully. Hes
simply a foolr'
"Why, then, should he ask me such a
question, and follow it up by stammer
ing that l had told him? l intended do
ing before l went away; l certainly
did intend doing so, but l never mention
ed it even to you Besides that, there
been a great change in him during these
few days back. Instead of being CRATE
full, as he always was before, for any lit
tie indulgence, he seems to shrink from
it and from me, tool' Then he added
quickly, though a sudden idea had
struck him. "Where was he the night
that 1 came back? If 1 remember, we
held all our talk in the parlor with the
window wide open, and you didn't speak
in very low tones"
An exclamation broke from Judith.
The footsteps paused close behind me. 1
feared they would hear the violent heat
ing of my heart.
"Stopv' she cried. "That reminds mel
Not a quarter of an hour before you
returned he was clipping a bush in front
of that window. l saw him from my
bedroom
There was an ominous pause; i'll my
minds eye 1. could picture their looks
of CONSERVATION.
"Why did you not tell me this?" said
Il never thought of it until this in
stant," she answered. 81 was too eager
to hear your news, to think of him"
IF he heard all that passed in that
room, he knows enough to utterly de-
stroy us. We are completely i'll his pow
er. More than that, l have given him
clue that may lead to profitable discov-
cries for himself
And my humiliation known to that
contemplate cur! Oh, heavens! l cannot
survive it, she cried, passionately.
''Silencer' said her father, i'll stern
voice. This is no time for raving; this
must be seen to at once. We must not
lose a moment To question him in the
usual way is useless We must resort
to the other this very night. Until we
find out what he really does know, we
can't tell what to do. That once known,
|
'Where is he now? Have you seen
him lately?"
Il heard him leave the boys room at
8 o'clock. l have not seen or heard him
since then"
Go and see where he is at once; he
might have left the house while we are
standing here"
In an instant l heard them hurrying
towards the house. l sprang to my feet,
ran across the orchard into the kitchen
garden, rushed into the summer house,
laid my book upon the table, and rest
ing my head upon my hands, assumed an
attitude of attentive study. My breath
came short and thick. and my breast
was heaving when l heard my master ;
hasty footsteps upon the path.
He began in a bullying tone; then be
thinking him that he was betraying him
self, stopped short. The expression OF
| my face evidently disconnected him.
What are you doing here?' he asked
eN identity not knowing what to say tc
cover his blunder.
Il usually come here of an evening t.
read 1 said quietly. Il never heard
you object to it before
"Oh. it isn't that; but get the boys il
at once" he said.
VERY well, sir" 1 closed my book
ana Went TO ma the boys; my master al
vancing in the same direction, that h,
should not lose sight of me. 1 felt tina
from that moment a constant watcf
would be set upon me.
l led the boys into the house, and III
into the school room. But the prayer
that was in my heart and on my lips
were not in unison with that which
sounded on my ears. | was praying t
escape from that dreadful house. | haC
taken the desperate resolution that
would not pass another night beneath
the roof.
The boys were dismissed to bed hal
an hour earlier than usual. / was goin;
down to the kitchen when Mr.. Porte
stopped me.
1--WE some work for you, Silas. Fol,
and put these tracts into envelopes. ant
direct them; I'll give you the list o
names. You can carry pen and ink, ant
your desk, into your own room, and d.
them there"
He gave me pile of papers, which
carried into my room, and then fetche
the desk and writing materials, he watch
ing me all the time. / went in, and shu
the door; then | heard him walk away
did not touch my work, but sat dow
upon the side of the bed, and tried t
think how / could get away. l had n
money! knew nothing of the roads
, but better to starve, to die under hedg
than remain in that mans power. If
could only get Eve minutes talk Wit
Martha, she would help me-would pei
! haps direct me where. to go.
hs.