The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-02-04

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- |
feared thev would hear the violent heat
ing Of my heart.
"Stop!" she cried. 'That reminds me!
Not a quarter Of an hour before Jon
returned he was clipping bush in front
of that window. saw him frtm my
bedroom"
There was an ominous pause; In my
minds eve could picture their looks
of CONSERVATION.
"Why did you not tell me thisT' said
Mr.. Porter, in a troubled voice.
II never thought of it until this in
slant" she answered. II was too eager
to hear your news. 10 think Of him"
IF he heard. all that passed in that
room. he knows enough to utterly de-
stroy us. We are completely in his pew
er. More than that, have given him a
clue that may lead to profitable discov-
cries for himself"
"And my humiliation known to that
contemplate cur! Oh. heavens! cannot
survive it," she cried. passionarely.
'Silence" said her father. In 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,
l shan't want much consideration.
"Where is he now? Have you seen
him lately?'
~ heard him leave the boys room at
5 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 masters
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,
e> identity not knowing what to say 10
cover his blunder.
81 usually come here Of an evening to
read" l said quietly. II never heard
you object to it before"
''Oh. it isn't that; but get the boys In
at once" he said.
Every well. sir" l closed my book,
and went to find the boys; my master ad-
vancing in the same direction. that he
should not lose sight of me. | felt that
from that moment a constant watch
would be set upon me.
led the boys into the house. and up
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. l was praying to
escape from that dreadful house. l had
taken the desperate resolution that
would not pass another night beneath
the roof.
The boys were dismissed to bed half
an hour earlier than usual. / was going
down to the kitchen when Mr.. Porter
stopped me.
"I've some work for you. Silas. Fold
and put these tracts into envelopes. and
direct them; I'll give you the list Of
names. You can carry pen and ink. and
your desk. into your own room. and do
them there"
He gave me pile of papers, which
carried into my room. and then fetched
the desk and writing materials, he watch
ing me all the time. went in. and shut
the door; then l heard him walk away.
l did not touch my work, but sat down
upon the side Of the bed. and tried to
think how l could get away. had no
money! knew nothing Of the roads;
but better to starve. to die under hedge
than remain IN that mans power. II
could only get Eve minutes talk With
Martha. she would help me-would per-
haps direct ME where to 60.
(To be continued.'