The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-05-23

time, TO doubt The next t.mo ask YOU
similar question you VIII propose 10 give III
q third, the next an eighth, and 50 on unit
you will finally come 10 proper state o
mind, and decline TO give me any at all
And now that have made you the sharer o.
my secret We viii go.n
They left the cave once moro and made
their way back across tho sanlAillS BriullCy
pau ing TO obl.,cratc their footprints as thcl
went. When they had proceeded some dis
| lance he paused, and took the girls hand
"Good-by, Matt said he. IF it wasn't
for that promised smashing l should GER
ta.nly Sc you homc.'
Then do" returned Matt. "t don't care
If he does smash me-"
probably not, but do. 1t would be ar
episode in your career which it would not be
| pleasant to reflect upon-therefore, good-by,
Maitland God bless you, my girl"
| lie gave her fatherly salute upon the
| forehead bright flush overspread her cheek
GssAa lounLcl away. Brinliley watched her
until ST. was out of sight then he turned and
and s;roled quietly on in the direction of the
caravan.
ITS strange game" he said, ''and re-
next move ought to bef
He thought very deeply, but when he
reached the caravan he found he had come TO
no definite conclusion rs TO his plans. He
therefore partook checrfu,ly Of the repast
which Tim had prepared for him, and after
he had smoked o couple Of pipes in the open
air he retired TO rest.
The next morning he began bordering
again.
II have got my trump card he said to
himself; but how 10 play up TO it, | have n
splendid hand but it viii want skillful man
aging il | am TO win the game. One false
moyo would do for me, for my opponents are
crafty as foxes, and they are two against one,
What is my right move, wonderi i wish
some good fairy would guide me!'
He took out his pipe, which was his usual
CONSIDER, and smoked while he took n few
turns ON the grecnsward outside the Caravan.
Suddenly an idea struck him.
II think I'll pay u domiciliary visit to Mr..
Monk he said II can meet him now On
pretty equal terms. If hint few things t.
him, the amiahle gentleman may think of be
coming just"
He called up Tim and sent him on some
trivial errand down to tho village. As soon
as he was well out of the way Brinlley en-
tered the caravan, produced some papers
from the inner pocket Of his coat, and locked
them up securely in his trunk.
$50 far 50 good he said. My amiable
friend may rot he in an amabie mood, and |
don't wish HIM t. get any advantage Of me"
He did not even talo with Lin the key Of
the box, but having attached to it n small
piece Of paper, on which were some written
instructions, he hid it in the caravan and
started Off upon his journey.
: IT was a dark, gloomy morning, giving
very promise of coming storms. As he
passed through the wood which surrounded
Monkshurst House the wind whistled softly
among the trees, making moan like the
sound of human voices.
"a gloomy place. said Brinkley; ga fit
residence for such rs he. Any dark deed
might be committed here, and who would
knowf'
The path which he followed was neg
lected carriage drive, strcwed with stones,
overgrown with weeds and bordered on
either side by the thick trees Of the forest.
Presently the trees parted and he calno in
view Of the house
A large, gloomy locking building, as
neSlecteu aS tho WOoilanu Ill me centre OF
which it stood. 1t seemed Us if only part
of it was inhabited, and the large garden at
its back was unprotected by any wall, and
full of overgrown fruit trees.
The door was opened by a grim, elderly
woman. He inquired for Mr.. Monk, and
was informed that he was at home. The
next minute he was standing in n lonely
library, where tie owner Of the house was
busy writing. Monk rose and the two stood
face TO face.