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

| nlu been crying,
whats the matter nowN demanded VII.
liam, who had left his usual seat and was
standing at the door.
"Nowt, said Matt, wiping her cyclids with
the back of her hand
Don't you tell no lies You've heerd
summat Stop! What's that theer 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.
"Who gave you this here!" cried William
Jones, trembling more than ever.
| "Tim.n
"Who's hepn
Him rs come looking arter his master.
Tho painter chap amt found; and now Tins
| going away in the cart to tell his friends.
And he give me this-my pictur'; he give me
it to keep. His master said | 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" he muttered, not meeting MATHS
eyes, but looking right out to sea. "Who
told You he were deadm
Matt did not reply, but gazed at William
so long and SO significantly that the good man,
conscious of her scrutiny, turned and plunged
into the darkness Of his dwelling
An hour later loud voice called him forth.
He went to the door, and there was Monk, of
Monkshurst. 1t was the first time they had
met since they parted on the night of the
murder Monk was dressed in a dark sum-
mer suit, and looked unusually spick and
span.
"Where's the girl!' he cried, after a whis-
pered colloquy of some minutes. "Matt,
where are you"
In answer to the call Matt appeared at the
door. No sooner did she perceive Monk than
she trembled violently, and went very pale
Come here, Matt" he said, with an insin-
uating smile. 'See! I've brought some
thing for you-something pretty for you to
wear"
As he spoke he drew from his waistcoat
pocket u small gold ring, set with turquoise
stones But Matt still trembled and shrank
away.
II don't want it'll shan't wear it." she
cried.
"Nonsense, Matt" said Monk. "Why, it's
a ring fit for lady. Come, let me put it on
your finger"
SO great seemed her agitation, 50 ep her
dread Of him, that she could not stir; so that
when he approached laughing, and caught
her round the waist, he slipped the ring on
her finger before she could resist. But it only
remained there moment. With quick,
sharp cry, she tore herself free, and, taking
the ring off, threw it right away from her
upon the sand Then, with a wild gesture OF
fear and loathing, she rushed into the cottage.
William Jones walked over and picked up
the ring, while Monk stood Sowing darby
after the fugitive.
What the devil ais the girll' cried the
latter, with fierce OATH pocllcting the pres
ent
~ dunno. She's never been tho same
since-since the painter chap went missing
I'm afeerd he turned the gals head"
Hell turn no more heads" muttered
Monk under his breath; he added aloud and
with decision, "There must be all end to this.
She must be married to me at once"
'Do you mean it, masteri When you
spoke on it fust thought you was joking"
'Then you were a fool for your pains |
She's old enough, and bold enough, and vix-
enish enough; but I'll tame her. l tell you
there must be no more delay. My minds |
made up, and III wait no longern
Sinking their voices they continued to talk |
together for some time Now, Matt was |
crouching close to the threshold, and had |
heard every word Of the above conversation,
and much that followed it. When Monk |
walked away and disappeared, leaving Will
liam Jones ruminant at the broken gate she
suddenly reappeared.
oil how hoI
departed. Instead of weeping or protesting,
she looked at William Jones-and laughed.
Monk had left his horse at the coastguard
station Remounting he rode rapidly away
through the sandhills in the direction of the
lake. As he approached the spot Of the old
encampment he saw that the caravan had
gone.
He rode on thoughtfully till he gained the
highway, when he put his horse into rapid
trot. Just before he gained the gate and
avenue near to which he had first encountered
Brnkley, he saw the caravan before him on
the dusty road.
He hesitated for a moment, then hurried
rapidly forward, and, arriving close to the
vehicle, saw the Irishman's head looking
round at him from the drivers seat. He
beckoned, and Tim pulled up.
has your IndSUeT TcJulucu2 dlu III
formed that he has been missing for some
days"
Tim shook his head very dolefully.
"No, sor sorra sight have l seen of him for
three days and three nights. I'm going back
wild the haste and the house to tell his friends
the bad news. Maybe it's making fun Of me he
is, and I'll find him somewheres on the road
~ hope You will" said Monk, sympa-
thetically. II think-hum-it is quite pos
sible he has, as you suggest, wandered home
ward. Good day to YOU"
So saying Monk turned off by the gate
which they had just reached, and rode away
up the avenue.
Tim looked after him till he disappeared.
Then the same curious change came over him
which had come over Matt after she had
been listening to the colloquy between Monk
and William Jones.
He laughed!
II ~. l.