Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-06
\ Bound by a Spell


the affair is settled off-hand. the better.
The reverend gentleman was becoming
very repulsive. For a time. could moi
understand his meaning: at last. It he
gan to dawn upon me--he actually mean,
to infer that Judith was in love with
me. What an idiot he must have thought
me! And yet. without the key his con
versation with his daughter had given
might I not. in my simple trust Of his
truth, have believed1 I shame to say
that l fear I might. But knowing what
l did. felt positively sick Mt the muse
GUS hypocrisy and falsehood Of the man
He paused. rubbed his hands. then
brushed back his hair. chucslcd and
waited for me to speak. What could
do-what could | say7 Must | yield to
this mans inclinations without a strng
gle? Did he suspect that knew aughi
Of his secrets. what might he not DO Ia
me? Kill me--imprison me for life! In
stinctiveiy felt that he would pause al
nothing tn secure his own ends. must
say something. To his proposition. Of
rather to his inuendOes. could make nc
reply. would evade the QuestiOn--try
to turn the subject. As a matter OF
course, said the thing which above all
others l ought not to have said.
ibid you hear anything about my
friends while you were in the cityY''
Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet II
could not more suddenly have changed
his whole den,eanor. He pushed back
his chair with a start: and such 4 look
OF fc rec inquiry came into his face. such
a savage twinkle came into his eyes. that
felt sure he was going to strike me
down upon the spot. The words were
scarcely of my lips before l was ron
scious Of the irretrievabie bluuder | had
made.
What do you mean?' he cried. men-
acingly.
Ibid you not say you intended to make
further inquiries when you went to the
city," faltered.
Not to you. Have you been listen
ingY
l could feel the telltale blod rush Into
my face at the question. Ever since
you were speaking to me on the subject.
l have thought of nothing else" cried.
in the same falterng voice.
Look here. Master Silas; what's the
meaning of this behavior? There's some
thing up-I know there Is. by your man.
ner. Don't attempt to humbug me. be
cause 1t won't do. Or Is 1t that you
arc such Thoroughbred idiot that you
don't understand the drift Of what I've
been saying? I'll satisfy myself upon
that point by and by. In the meanwhile,
III speak a little palmer. l mean you
to marry my daughter To this you can't
possibly make any objection. as all the
sacrifice Is on my side and hers. Now
come. what do you say to thatT'
| Now that he had thrown off the mask.
and spoken more plainly. felt. for the
first time in my life. something like
courage to oppose him. Il know that
possess no advantages to entitle mo to
such a match. but l am too young to
marry" l said with some little firm
ness.
II am the best Judge Of that" he an
swered sharply.
But l have no wish to marry"
WHAT he exclaimed. furiously. do
you mean to say that you've the lmpu-
dence to refuse my daughterW
Then followed a string of invectives
and opprobrous epithets that l need not
repent. lie literally foamed at the
mouth.
"You shall smart for this insultr' he
went on. wiping the perspiration from
his face. "You shall 20 down upon
your knees and beg my pardon for this,
and pray with all your heart and soul
for " hat you've Just refused"
With these words. and casting a ma
lignant look upon me. he hurried out Of
the room.
sank into a chair. literally Etupefied
and overw helmed. But even the faint
resistance thnt had made inspired me
with new confidence. | felt that | vas
no longer a school boy. but verging on
manhood that it was cowarily and DIS
graceful to yield a slavish obedience
against my conscience to such a man
NJ he had now shown himself. The first
resolution formed consequent upon this
better and firlner state of mind was TINT
| | would make a clean breast to Martha
of all | knew, and then he guided by
her superior worldly wisdom as to what
| had better do. Feeling much relieved,
| | went up to the school room to super
int end the afternoon tasks.