The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-05-02
" COME ASHORE. !"
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER VI.
SIlAl ISls II
ALSO CONCLUDES WITH A KISS.


When Matt awoke the next morning, tn
first thing she did was TO look around for he
Sunday clothes, which ON retiring to rest sh'
had carefully placed beside her bed. They
were gone, and in their place lay the habili
mcnts she was accustomed to wear on hcl
erratic pgrimages every day
Her face grew cloudy; She hunted all arount
tho chamber, but finding nothing that sh'
sought she was compelled to array herself a.
best she could.
civilian Jones" she said, when she sal
with that worthy at "A hcrmit's breakfast OF
dry bread and whey, where's my Sunday
ClothesN
William Jones fdgeted a bit, then he said
SThay're put where you won't find EN-
Look we now, Matt, you'd best be after dom
summat useful than runnn' about after q
painter chap. was down on tho shore this
morning, and seen heaps o wood-youd
best get some OF it aforc night"
Matt gave snort, bus said nothing. A
few minutes later her benign protector left
the cottage, and little after he had disap-
poared Matt issued forth; hut instead of
beating tho shore for iirewood, as she had
been told to do, she ran across the fields to
the painter.
She found him already established at his
work. The fact was he had been for some
time strolling about with his hands in his
pockets and scanning the prospect on every
side for sight of her Having got tired of
this characteristic occupation, lie at length
sat down and began to put few touches to
tho portrait. Seeing that he wa, unconscious
of her approach, Matt crept up quietly be-
hind him and took a peep at the picture.
Her black eyes dilated with pleasure.
"Oh, mint it beautiful she exclaimed.
$50 you have como at last" said Brinkley
quietly, going on with his painting
She made no movement and no further
sound; so he continues:
Perhaps, now you hare come, you'll be
good enough to step round that | may con-
time my work. am longing to refresh my
memory with sight of your face Matt"
"Wcll, you can't" said Matt; they're
locked up"
"Eh-what's locked up--my memory or
your facei'
1t was clear Matt could not appreciate ban
ter. She saw him SMILE and guessed he was
laughing at her, and her face grew black and
ma, nous. She would have skunk off but his
voice stepped her.
Come here Matt" he said "Don't be
silly, child tell me what's tho matter, and
why, whct has become of your resplendent
raimcnt-your gorgeous Sunday c!othcsp
Didn't ! tell youl-thcy'rc locked up"
'ludecd;"
'Nes, William Jones done it cause he told
him. tie don't want me to come here and DO
took"
"Ohl Tell you what it is, Matt, we will
have our own way in spite Of them For tho
present this picture shall be put aside If in
day or SO you can again don your Sunday
raimcnt, and sit to me again in thcm-if
not, | daro say l shall be able to finish tho
dress from memory. That portrait | shall
give to you. In the meantime, as | want one
for myself will paint you as you are Do
you approycN
Matt nodded her head vigorously.
Very well, said Brinkley. Then we will
get on"
He removed from his easel and carefully
covered the portrait upon which he had been
working. Then he put up n fresh cardboard,
and sat down, inviting Matt to do the same.
With the disappearance OF the Sunday
clothes tho girls stiffness seemed TO have dis
appeared also, and ahe became again u YER
liable child Of nature. She looked like
shaggy young pony fresh from n race on tho
mountain-side as she threw herself on tho
ground in an attitude which was all pictur-
esqueness and beauty. Then, with her plump,
sun-burned hand she began to careleSsly pull
up the grass, while her black eyes searched
alternately tho prospect and the painters
face.
Presently she spoke:
ale says you're a pryin' scoundrel," she
tail.
Brinkley looked up and smiled.
"Who is he, Mattf
''Mr. Monk" she replied and gave jerk
Sith her head in tho direction of Monlashurst.
ooh, indeed" said Brinkley. at is my
amiable equestrian friend, is i'll I'm sure I'm
much obliged to him. And when, may ask,
did he bore you with his opinion of mef'
Last night, when he come to see William
Jones. He said | wasn't to be took no more,
cause you was a scoundrel, pokin and
pryin,."
Brinkley began to whistle, and went on for
a while vigorously touching up his work.
Then no looked up and regarded the girl
curiously.
''Mr. Monk seems to be very much inter-
ested In you, Mattr
The girl nodded her head vigorously; then,
remembering the odious caress 10 which Mr..
Monk had subjected her, she began to vio-
lently rub her cheek again.
"Why is Mr.. Monk so interested in you'll
Do you known
.'P'raps it's cause he found me when como
ashore"
''Oh, he found you, did hel Then why
doesn't he keep your
'.He do, only live along o William
Jones"