Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-03-18
CHAPTER vI.-fcontiuuedD

wrote very quickly, ana IN less Nhdu an
hour had finished my task. | opened |
my door and rs quietly as ! could. with
out an appearance OF stealth. descended
the stairs. hoping to reach the kiscl en-
unobserved. But my master was watch
ing too vigilantly; he came out OF the
parlor as | reached the landing place.
"What do you want creeping about
the house at this time Of nightT' he
asked. sharply.
81 was going down into the kitchen
( get glass of water | answered.
81 have finished my work"
"YOu can't 20 into the kitchen. Mar
tina has gone to bed. You can 20 into
my room and get water, and then 20 to
bed"
Without answering him. ] remounted
the stairs and heard him following me.
went into his room and drank a glass
of water for | was really parched with
thirst While | was there heard him
ascend the second flight OF stairs and
go into my room. As reached the door
| met him coming out, with the envel-
opes in his hand wished him good
night. but he did not answer me.
watched him over the bannisters. heard
hin, pass along the passage lock the
re enter the parlor
II am a prisoner" I Thought; "nnd he
will take good care that | have no com
munication with Martha"
Suddenly remembered the way
got out OF the house on that memorable
October night As soon as all were abed,
] would creep up to the boys ROOM
they might all be asleep and not hear
me; and II they should, | 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.
| felt renewed confidence after this
thought. 81 had better lock my door.
| thought. "in case he should come up
and find me not in bed
The key was not in the lock. 1t must
have been taken out while was getting
that glass Of water. This last incident
shook my courage severely. Perhaps
they want to enter my room, and sn"th
er me in my sleep" was my first thought
Then | remembered that had heard my
master say that he should not resolve
upon any course Of action until he ha'
satisfied himself of what | knew.
While | was thus revolving in m.
mind every imaginable horror l hear'
footsteps ascending the stairs. l put on
nv light. and tore off my boots and coat
and then jumped into bed. The foot
steps stopped outside my door. pause
for several seconds. then | heard tn
handle cautiously turned and ligh
began to creep through the slowly open
ing door. The agony | endured at tina
moment | shall never forget | coul
not move nor speak but lay watchin
the stream of light gradually broader
until it was darkened by the figure q
Mr.. Porter standing upon the threshold
The rays of the candle fell upon his face
its botches were inhamed with drinl
but otherwise it was very pale, nm
there was a haggard look upon it. A
he caught the expression OF my face, b
started back. ! am certain it must hay
been very CHASTITY AS he stood thas,
fancied | saw a black shadow fit SUI
denly behind him.
Amt you asleep?" he said. in a thiC
voice
NO. sir. Oh how you frightcn6
met | cried | could not help it.
THAT shows you have sinful "a
science; the righteous are never frigh
ened. | am never frightened. Pray
pray, and then go to sleep"
He was more intoxicated than | hi
ever seen him before. He closed Il
door; then | heard him put the key
the lock; then. click! The key W
turned
My last hope was gone. l was pow'
less, helpless; a prisoner. utterly at t
mercy Of this man. | sprang out
bed; searched for a match-there "
not one in the room. | drew up Z
blind, hut the night was moonless a
cloudy. | opened my window, and loc
ed out. All was deathly still; not
leaf rustled; not a ray Of light M
where: naught but black shadows.
was looking down upon gulf to viii
there seemed no bottom.
Once, in my desperation. half reso
ed to cast myself out, but the dept
looked too awful. | closed the wind
again. lest the temptation should be
powerful to resist. Bathed in perspi
tinn. yet shivering with cold, ute
Frustrated by the brooding horror Il
was upon me. threw myself upon
he'd. aud waited my fate.