Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-13
CHAPTER VI.-(Continued.)

wrote very quickly, and i'll less than an
hour l had finished my task. | opened
my door and as quietly as could. with
out an appearance Of stealth, descended
the stairs. hoping to reach the kitcl 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.
II was going down into the kitchen
I. get glass of water | answered
1T have finished my work
you can't go into the kitchen; Mar
tina has gone to bed. You can 20 into
my room and get water. and then so to
bed"
Without answering him, I remounted
the stairs and heard him following me.
went into his room and drank glass
of water for | was really parched with
thirst. While | was there | heard him
ascend the second flight of stairs and
20 into my room. As | reached the door
l 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
him pass along the passage. lock the
street door, take out the key, and then
re-enter the parlor.
II nm q prisoner" thought; "and he
will take good care that l 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 if they should, l did not be-
leve that they would betray me; l had
always been as kind to them as | had
dared. shielded them from punishment
when | was able. and l believed that
they liked me.
felt renewed confidence after this
thought. Il had better lock my door"
l 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 smoth-
err me in my sleep" was my first thought.
Then l remembered that l had heard my
master say that he should not resolve
upon any course of action until he had
satisfied himself of what l knew.
While | was thus revolving in my
mind every imaginable horror, l heard
footsteps ascending the stairs. l put out
my light, and tore off my boots and coat,
and then jumped into bed. The foot
steps stopped outside my door, paused
for several seconds, then | heard the
handle cautiously turned. and light
began to creep through the slowly open
ing door, The agony l endured at that
moment l shall never forget. | could
not move nor speak, but lay watching
the stream OF light gradually broaden,
until it was darkened by the figure of
Mr.. Porter standing upon the threshold.
The rays of the candle fell upon his face;
its blotches were intlamed with drink,
but otherwise it was very pale, and
there was a haggard look upon it. AS
he caught the expression of my face, he
started back. l am certain it must have
been very CHASTITY. AS he stood thus, l
fancied l saw black shadow fit sud
denly behind him.
"Ain't you asleep" he said, in thick
voice.
mo, sir Oh, how you frightened
me-" | cried. | could not help it.
THAT shows you have a sinful con
science; the righteous are never fright
ened. l am never frightened. Pray
pray, and then go to sleep"
He was more intoxicated than I had
ever seen him before. lie closed the
door; then | heard him put the key in
the lock- then, click! The key was
turned,
My last hope was gone. I was power
less, helpless; a prisoner, utterly at the
mercy of this man. | sprang out of
bed; | searched for match-there was
not one in the room. | drew up my
blind. but the night was moonless and
cloudy. | opened my window. and look
ed out. All was deathly STILL not a
leaf rustled; not a ray Of light any
where: nnught but black shadows.
was looking down upon a gulf to which
there seemed 10 bottom.
Once in my desperation, | half resolv-
ed to cast myself out, but the depths
looked too awful. | closed the window
again. lest the temptation should be too
powerful to resist. Bathed in perspira-
ton, vet shivering with cold, utterly
Frustrated by the brooding horror that
was upon me, | threw myself upon the
bed, and waited my fate.
CHAPTER VII.
How or when l fell asleep could
never remember But | did fall asleep.
Neither can | remember how long
slept. From the time that threw my
self despairingly upon my bed, all is