The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-03-03
Bound by a Spell
CHAPTER V.

uhtAA tuC hCAt uOTuiuS AZ. AIleI
prayers, he went through the process OF
examining the boys. What vile mass
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 could
not endure to meet his eye. He re-
marked upon my pallid looks: 1 had not
slept wink all night. He asked rather
sharply. what allied meY'
Il have headache: l had q bad
nights rest last night" stammered.
"Oh! we will soon set that all right;
Won shall breakfast with ME this morn
ing. A cup Of strong green tea will
soon kill the headache"
At the table I was treated more like
a guest than even a member Of the fam
lily. He himself handed to me the good
things, pressing me to eat and drink of
ell. Martha. who was waiting. could
scarcely contain her wonderment.
"You have taken my place well dur
ing my absence" he said. in fawning
tone. II am only just beginning to
discover the treasure have in you. Oh.
what blessing it is to know that the
seed have sOwn will yield so goodly a
harvest! Well. am getting old. and
shall soon want supporter and COM
forter. All. IL had such a son! But
must not repine, for am blessed with
the best Of daughters? You two must
be brought more together than you have
been. for you are goodly pair"
He was in 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 fine girl. though l say it. and gifted
with that beauty which to young blood
is more attractive even than the beau
ty of the spirit. II she were to 20 forth
into the sinful world she would have
scores Of lovers. and the children Of the
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 coyet for my
child either gold. or jewels. or fine linen.
or silken raiment: for what is all that
compared to that peace Of the soul which
passeth oil understandings"
know not what answer I made. or
even whether made any. to these cum
ming speeches. and others that followed
In the same strain. AT last, with many
blessings. that sounded in my ears like
bans. he dismissed me to the school
room. To get away from his hideous
hypocrisy was like emerging from the
fetid atmosphere of sick room into
the pure air of heaven. Business which
had accumulated during his absence kept
him from home all day. and until late
In the evening.
As soon as my school duties were fin-
tshed. ! went into the grounds could
not bear to be In the house-and sat
there until Martha came out to call me
In to tea. :!
"Why. whatever is the matter with
you. Master Silas2" she asked. "You
look as white as a ghost! Are you ili?'
''Oh, no, Martha! l have a headache
nothing more"
. "Master Silas." said Martha, there's
wrong with you-something'
pre-. ing on your mind. Why was master
10 awful civil to you this morning? Don't
think Pm asking these questions out of
curiosity. Master Silas. you're as limo
cent RS a lamb! That manor any
body else, for the matter of that-could
get you to do anything-get you into
goodness knows what trouble. And mark
my words, he's regular bad 'un! Don't
you be led away by him! He's no good
to you or anybody else!'
"Dpn't talk like that to me, Martha.
cried. bursting into tears. "You must
not ask me questions-indecd. you must
not"
poor boy! what have they done to
your she said. half to herself "Weli, l
ion't want to pry into your secrets" she
went on; "but IL can help you with
advice, or in any other way, don't be
afraid to ask me-"
Heaven bless you, Martha, WON'T"
cried. throwing my arms round her
neck, and kissing hss at is not my
secret. or l would tell you allr'
How contemplate all this will read
10 men Of the world-a youth Of nearly
to depend upon a woman's de-
tense rather than upon his own courage!
From that cowardly thought, as such
men will phrase it. ! began to derive a
title secret comfort.
The next day Judith appeared at din
,er, for the first time during several
weeks. She looked exceedingly iii. Mr..
Porter's manner to me was marked BY
he ingratiating demeanor that shudder-
ngly suggested the idea of cunning
lyena Turing me into his den for the
'ake of making a meal Of my body.
When the cloth was removed Judith rose
o leave the room, and no persuasions,
vinks or signs from her father could in
luce her to remain.
"Ah, Silas. what a treasure she is!''
lie said, with a hypocritical sigh, as the
loor closed behind her. Her dear moth |
II, who is now no more, left her to me
Is a precious token Of holy love-"
He passed his handkerchief across his
yes. He little thought what had over
leard.
with such treasure and a stainless
conscience. what should pious young
nan want in this valley Of sin?" he
.ried. in an enthusiasm of self-plauda-
ion.
"What, indeed 2" l murmured. perceiv-
ng that he expected some answer from
ne.
"True!-what. indeedT' he echoed.
Yes, one thing he wants ere he departs
or the regions Of the elect-to see the !
earthly happiness of that treasure Sc.
,ured. Have you noticed how III Judith
las been looking lateIy?"
/ answered that I observed she looked
'ery pale.
Something on the mind-somethinp
IN the mind, and l think I've found out |
what It is. Girls will be girls, you know.
There's many fine fellow would give