The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-08-29
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DEVILS cALDRoN.

was, also constitutionally, inquistive. Now,
his lazlness was of that not uncommon kind
which is capable of great deal Of activity,
so long as that activity is unconscious, and
not realized as being in the nature of Ioork,;
and its possessor, therefore, would frequently,
in his idle way, bestir himself good deal !;
whereas, if he had been ordered to bestir
himself, he would have yawned and resisted.
Here his other constitutional defect came in.
and set him prying into matters which in no
way seriously concerned him.
No sooner was he left TO his own medita-
tions, which the faithful Tim Nyho had fortu-
natcly been away on a foraging expedition
during the episode described in my last chap
teri was not at hand to disturb, than our
young gentleman began pulling his brains
over the curious information she had given
him. The facts, which he had no reason to
question, ranged themselves under four heads:
~ Matt had been cast ashore fifteen years
previously, at an age when she could pro-
nounce the word Papa" It followed, as a
rational argument, inst she had been, say,
one year old or thereabouts.
9 Mr.. Monk had found her, and given
her into the care of Wn..am Jones, and had
since handed that worthy sums Of money for
taking care of her Qacrh v hat reason Lad
the said Monk for exhibiting 50 Eiuch care for
for the child, unless he we.s u person of Won
derfully benevolent disposition, which my
hero was not at all inclined 10 believes,
co Said Monk and said Jones were on very
familiar terms, which was curious, seeing the
difference in their social positions Query
again, Nas there any private reason, any
mysterious knowledge, any secret shared in
common, which bound their interests to-
getherl
~ Last and most extraordinary of all,
said Monk had now expressed his wish and
intention 30 marrying tbs waif he lad rescued
from the sea, committed to the care of said
Jones, AMI brought up in ragged ignorance,
innocent of grace or grammar, Oh thai lonely
shore. Query again, and again, and yet
again: What tho deuce had put the idea into
Monks head; and was there 1T the bottom of
it any deeper and more conceivable motive
than the one of ordinary affection for IA pref
ty, if mcultivated, chihla
The more Charles Ernkley pondored over
| all these questions the more hopeloSsly puz-
lied he became but his curiosity, once
reused, could not rest. He determined, if
pueSible, to Co.. 10 TIM n,idrrf Of the nly!tery.
30 intent IVES he Cl Inns subjeCt, which fitted
Ia beautifully with his natural Incidence, that
he at once knocked off painting for the day
| and aitor brealiasting on the fare with whicl
| Tim had hy this time appeared, he strolel
away toward the seashore
Ho had no. gone far when he saw approach
ing linn tall figure which he seemed to rec
| ogni2e. 1t came closer, and he saw that
was Mr.. Monk, Of MonkshurSt.
This time Monk was on foot. He wore
| dark dress, with nickerbocllers md heav,
shoo.in, boots, and carried gun. A larg
dog, Of tho species lurcher, followed at hi
| heels
Brinkley was passing by without any salu
tation, when, to his surprise, the other pause
and lifted his hat.
Il beg your pardon, he said. eve hav
met once before; and l think have to apollo
| gize TO you for unintentional incivility. tn
fact hum-I mistook you for a-vasrant
| did not know you were "A gentleman.
SO staggered was the artist with this greet
| ing that no could only borrow the vocabular,
| of Mr.. TootS:
ooh, its Of no consequence" he said, al
tempting to pass ON.
But the other persevered.
Il assure you, Mr., Mr. q have no
the pleasure of knowing your name), that
had no desire of offending you; and if | di
SO beg to apologize"
| Brinkley looked keenly at the speaker Hi
words and manner were greatly at varianc
with his looks-even with the tone of hi
4 Tl,,trl, h. Il 81.
teeth, a dark frown still disfgured his brow
and his mouth twitched nervously, as if b
were i'll at ease.
Regarding him thus closely, Brinkley say
that he had been somewhat mistaken Us to hi
age. He was considerably under fifty year
of age, but his hair was mixed with gray an
his features strongly marked as with taoscar
of old passions. A handsome man, certainly
an amiable one, certainly noti Yet he had
peculiar air of power and breeding, as of on
accustomed to command.
Curiosity overcame dislike, and the youn
man determined to receive Mr.. Monks oyel
ture as amiably as possible
81 dare say it was a mistake" no sale
"Gentlemen don't usually travel about i
caravans
"You are an artist, am informed" n
turned Monk
Something of that sort" was the reply
Ipaint little for pleasure"
sand do you find thb' neighborhooG sui
your purposea 1t is somewhat fiat and III
picturesque"
Il rather like it,n answered Brinkley. 81
is pretty in summer; it must be splendid
winter, when the storms begin and the III
eventful career Of our friend William Jont
is varied by the excitement of wrecks"
i How Monks forehead darkenedl But Ia
face smiled still as he said:
at is not often that shipwrecks occur nov
am glad TO say"
''NoF' said Brinlzley, dryly. "They used
be common enough fifteen years ago"
! Their eyes met, and the eyes of Monk WEI
full of fierce suspicion
"Why fifteen years ago especiallyp
The young man shrugged his shoulders
81 was told only to-day of the loss of OF
great ship at that time. Matt told me, Il
little founding. You know Matt, Of course
+, 81 know whom you mean. Excuse m
but you seem to be very familiar with h
namep
Il suppose am replied the young ma
''Matt and are excellent friends"
Monk did not smile now; all his efforts
do so were Intellectual. With an expressie
of savage dislike he looked in Biinldey fac
and his voice, though his words were st
civil, trembled and grew harsh ''as scrann
pipes of straw"
MAY ask if you purpose remaining lor
in the neighborhoodm
Il don't know" answered the artist. 'tM
time is my own, and shall stay as long
the place amuses me-"
''If can assist in making it do SO, shs
be happy, sir"
''Thank you"
'Do you care for rabbit shootingi If
there is some sport to be had among the san
hills.n
II never shoot anything" was the repl
"except, suppose, folly as it fiies;' thoul
with what species Of firearm that interesth
sport is pursued, = he added, as If to himsel