The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-07-25

"Ain'tyou we'll, William Jonesl" she asked.
"I'm well enough ann
"Its queer, amt it, that the painter Gimp
never come homer
GLOW should l knowp growled William
Maybe he's gone buck to where he como
FROM
cor maybe he's drowndedl Or maybe
sumnat else has happened to him" suggested
Matt.
"Never you mind him, my gal. Hes all
right never fear And il he amt, it's no
affair o. yours, or mine neither. You go
along out ami play"
Matt VI, az directed, and it Yves some
hours BET returned. She found her
guardian In his old place by tho fire,
looking at vacancy. He started violently as
she entered, and made a clutch at the rudo
piece of ships iron which served as poker.
"Be it you, Matt3 Lori, how you startled
mel werc-I were-talIing do2e."
Eve been up yonder, said Matt.
Cup wheer"
'Up to the painter chaps cart. He amt
come back; and the man is searchin' for him
oil up and down the place"
Fortunately it was very dark, so that she
could not sec the expression of her hearers
face. She walked to the fireplace, and, tax
ing q box of lucifers from a ledge, began
the rushlight fixed to the table. But in q
moment William blew out the match and
snatched the box from her
"What arc you dom of" no cried. "Wast-
ing the matches, as if they cost nowt. You'll
como to the worSus nfore you're done.n
Che days passed, and there was no news OF
/ the absent nnn Every day Matt won't up
to the caravan to mako inquiries. At last,
one afternoon, she returned, looking greatly
| troubled; her eyes were red, too, as if she
had been crying,
''WhOt's the matter nowt" demanded viii
liam, who had left his usual seat and was
standing at the door.
"Nowt,n said Matt, wiping her eyelids with
the back of her hand.
"Dont you tell no lies, You've heerd
summat Stopl What's that thoer under
your armp
All at once he had perceived that she car
ried large roll Of something wrapped in
brown paper. He took it from her, and
opened it nervously. 1t was the Crayon por-
trait of herself executed by the defunct
artist
''Tvho gave you this here" cried William
Jones, trembling moro than ever.
"Timn
''Who's her"
'ItiIn us come looking artcr his master.
Tho painter chap amt found; and now Tins
going away in the cart to tell his friends.
And he give lie this-iny pictur'; he give me
it to keep. His master said l were to have it;
and mean to keep it now he's dead
William Jones handed back the picture, and
seemed relieved, indeed, when it was out OF
his hands
"Dead"ke mutiercd, not meeting Matt,
eyes, hut looking right out TO sea. "Whc
toll YOU he wulo dead"
Matt did not reply but gazcd at William
so long calaos isuiiicantly thatthe goodman
conscious Of her scrutiny, turned and plungoJ
into The darkness Of his dwelling.
An hour later loud voice called him forth
, lie wont to the door, ami Oh 70 was Monk, o
Muul;shuyst. twas The iil time they hat
nat since they parted On the night of TIN
murder Monk vas DIRE sed in dark sum
mer suit, and looked unusually spick an,
span.
"Whora's the girl" he cried, after whis
pcrcd calluquy OF Gcno minutes. "Matt
where are You"
! in answer to the call Matt appeared at III
i door. No sooner did she perceive Monk tina
She trcmLled violently and won't very pale
"Camo hcre Matt he said, with an insir
uuliug smiln. "Seo! I've brought som,
y, thing for yoa-something pretty for you
wear
As he spoke he drew from his waistcoo
pocket "a small gold ring, set with turquois
!, stones But Matt still trcmhled, and shlan
away.
, II don't want I'LL shan't wear it" 81
y criud.
e "Eaaeensc, Hatt!' said Monk. "Why, it
Il Il ring tit for Il lady. Come, let me put it {
y your finger
y So great seemed her agitation, 50 deep h,
a.