The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-09-12


head vigorously.
Ably the way, Matt, can you reddP"
print, not writing"
"And writer
Just bit
''Who taught you3 William Jonesg'
''No, that he didn't; Iltained off Tim Pen
rem down village William Jones, he can't
read and he can't write; nomore can William
Jones' father"
This last pe,o Of information setthe young
man thinking So deeply that the rest of tire
Interview became rather dun for Matt When
She rose to go, however, lie came out of his
abstraction. and asked her If size would return
on the following day.
~ don't know-prapsr she said.
An returned the young man, assuming
his ilippant manner, ''you find me tedious
company, fear The fact is, | am generally
affected IN this manner in TIE present state of
the moon But come tomorrow, Matt. Your
presence does me good
However, the next day passed, and thenext
again, and there was no sign of Matt. He
began to think the child had taken offense,
and that he would have to seek her in her
own home when her opportune appearance
prevented the journey. He was taking his
breakfast one morning inside the caravan.
when he suddenly became conscious that Matt
was standing outside watching him
"Oh, you are there, are you :" he said coolly.
"Come in and have some breakfast, Matt
He rose negligently, went to the door and
held forth his hand; Matt took it, gave one
spring and landed inside the vehicle.
g
iady-some more eggs and milk; in fact, any,
Thing you've got!' said Brinkley, as heplaced
a seat for Matt at the little table.
Tim gave grunt of dissatisfaction. This
bold Colleen as he called her, was becom.
ing too much for him, but he perforce obeyed
his masters commands. Matt sat down and
nte with an appetite; Brinkley played neg
hgentiy with his knife and watched her
1T is two days since you were here, Matt,
said he. II was seriously thinking of coming
10 look for yeu Why wouldn't you CONF
.,efaref'
"'Twasn thatr' said Matt. Il couldntr
"CouldR'tl Why"
-Tlv Hc wouldn't let me, William Jones.
9e says he'll smash me if | come here and
,alk to you"
As Matt spoke her bosom heaved and her
yes flashed fire.
He amt at home to-day, = she said, in an
5wer to the Young mans query concerning
she ex-wrccker; ''hes gone up TO market-tOwn
and won't be back before night"
As Brinkley looked at her a sudden thought
seemed to strike him.
Matt, he said, you and will go wreck
rrW, kf,A
objection
She certainly had none; wherever he went
she seemed willing to follow. Ina very little
While the two had started Off. 1t was Brink
ley who led this time, Matt walking along be-
side him like a contiding child
by the way, Matt he said presently,
''you told me once Of treasures being hidden
among the sandhills. Did anybody ever find
anyg'
Not that | know on"
civilian Jones, for instanca7
"No Leaatways fdon'L know"
well, what would you say, Matt, if told
you that / had found onen
"T goV"
YES. ! wonder il You can keep n secreti
Yes, on reflection, think you can. Now,
before we 20 any further, Matt, first you
place your hand in mine. and promise never
to mention until give you permission what
! am about to coEtide in You now"
MATHS curiosity was aroused
''All right, she replied, eagerly, II shan't
tell"
every good" replied Brinkley; 1--WE will
now proceed"
| They passed ON among the sandhills and
came to the entrance Of the cave Brinkley
removed the stones and sand from the hole
and entered. Broathless with curiosity, Matt
! followed. They reached the bottom Brink.
| ley struck a light and pointed out TO her all
| the wonderful treasures which the cave con.
| tanned. 1t was such surprise to the girl
| that for n time she coulddo nothing but stare
and stare in specchless wonder Whistline
gayly, Brinkley turned about the casks OF
rum and brandy and thrust his hands int
the bags and let the cleaning gold sliI
through his fingers.
! Mats amaacmcnt turned into awe
Don't, She said, in q fearful whisper; III
belongs TO the lairiesn
! Bfrnlley laughed.
! 1T belongs 10 n very substantial fairy
Matt, but l don't think that to-day viii
mention that fairy's name. Did you ever Sc,
50 much money in all your life before, Matt
! She shook her head, but her eyes were still
fixed upon the gold.
| Il see, - observed Brinlley, flippantly, 9Th,
/ sight of that gold fascinates you. Well, S,
il did me at first, hut you see what use does
can regard it now with comparative calm
ness However, ! have particular wish {,
accustom goa 10 the sight of wealth; there
! fore / shah bring YOU here and show yol
this now and again. Come, Matt, tell IN
what you would do if you were very rich, j
all this flotsam and jetsam belonged to you
! Without the slightest hesitation Matt re
piled:
Il should give it to you-leastways hal
oft"
! ''Ah, the reply is characteristic, AM
clearly shows you are not at present fitted Il
become the possessor of riches But | shal
bring you to the proper state of mind il
time, no doubt. The next time | ask you
similar question you will propose to give IN
a third, the next an eighth, and SO on, unit
| you win finally come to 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"
! They left the cave once more and mad
their way back across the sandhills, Brinkle,
pausing to obliterate their footprints as the
went. When they had proceeded some dis
lance he paused, and took the girls hand.
''Good-by, Matt, said he. III it WASH
for that promised smashing l should Ger
tainly see you home"
''Then do,n returned Matt. 81 don't car
! Il he does smash mei'
Probably not, but do. 1t would be a
J episode in your career which it would not b
pleasant to reflect upon-therefore, good-by