The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-09-19

What are you staring atP' cried he, fidget-
ing uneasily under her gaze.
"Nowt, said Matt; 81 were only wonder
ing
Then don't go wondering, exclaim the
good man, rather inconsistency. "Yoa mind
your own business, and don't be foolp'
And he turned testify and gazed at the fire.
But Matt, whose eyes were full of a curious
light, was not to be abashed
"Ain'tyou well, William Jones9" she asked.
"Tm well enough am"
cts queer, amt it, that the painter chap
never come homer
How should | known growled William.
Maybe he's gone back to where he come
from"
'Or maybe he's drowndeds Or maybe
summat else has happened to him!" suggested
Matt
"Never you mind him, my gal. Hes all
right, never fear. And if he amt, it's no
affair o. yours, or mine neither. You 60
along out and play"
Matt went out as directed, and it was some
hours before she returned. She found her
guardian seated in his old place by the fire,
looking at vacancy. He started violently as
she entered, and made clutch at the rude
piece of ships iron which served as poker.
BE it you, Mattf Lor', how you startled
mel were-I were-taking do2e"
"I've been up yonder, said Matt.
up wheerp
up to the painter chaps cart. He amt
come back; and the man is searchin' for him
all up and down the place"
Fortunately it was very dark, so that she
could not see the expression of her hearers
face. She walked to the fireplace, and, tax
ing a box of lucifers from ledge, began
to procure light, with the view of igniting
the rushlight fixed to the table. But in
moment William blew out the match and
snatched the box from her.
What are you dom ofg" he cried. t'Wast-
ing the matches, as il they cost nowt. You'll
come to the workus afore you're done"
The days passed, and there was no news of
the absent man. Every day Matt went up
to the caravan to make inquiries. At last,
one afternoon she returned, looking greatly
troubled; her eyes were red, too, as if she
had been crying.
whats the matter nowF demanded Viii
liam, who had left his usual seat and was
standing at the door.
''Nowt, said Matt, wiping her eyelids with
the back of her hand.
Don't you tell no lies. You've heerd
smmat Stopl What's that theer under
your armF
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 hereP cried William
Jones, trembling more than ever
Tim"
''Who's hen
Him as come looking arter his master.
The 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
'Deadf he muttered, not meeting MATHS
| eyes, but looking right out to sea. ''Who
| told you he were deadr
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 a 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 grip he cried, after a whis-
pered colloquy of some minutes. "Matt
| where are your
| In answer to the call Matt appeared at thu
door. No sooner did she perceive Monk thar
she trembled violently, and went very pale
'Come here, Matt, he said, with an insin
uating smile. ''SeeI I've brought some
thing for you-something pretty for you t.
wear"
As he spoke he drew from his waistcoa
pocket small gold ring, set with turquois'
stones But Matt still trembled, and shranl
away.
81 don't want it'll shan't wear it, sh,
cried.
Nonsense, Mattr' said Monk "Why, it,
ring fit for lady. Come, let me put it OIL
your finger"
So great seemed her agitation, so deep he
dread Of him, that she could not stir; SO tina
when he approached, laughing, and caugh
her round the waist, he slipped the ring o.
her finger before she could resist. But it onl,
remained there a moment. With a quick
sharp cry, she tore herself free, and, takinI
the ring off, threw it right away from he
upon the sand. Then, with a wild gesture o
fear and loathing, she rushed into the cottage
l io1ra
the ring, while Monk stood scowling dark,
after the fugitive.
What the devil ais the girl2" cried tn
latter, with a fierce oath, pocketing the pres
emit
Il dunno She's never been the sam
since-since the painter chap went missing
I'm afeerd he turned the gals head"
He'll turn no more heads muttere,
Monk under his breath; he added aloud an
with decision, ''There must be an end to thi:
She must be married to me at once"
do you mean it, MASTER When yo
spoke on it fust ! thought you was joking"
Then you were a fool for your pains
Shes old enough, and bold enough, and vix
enish enough; but I'll tame her. l tell yo
there must be no more delay. My mind
made up, and I'll wait no longer"
Sinking their voices they continued to tai
together for some time. Now, Matt wa
crouching close to the threshold, and ha
heard eN ~ word of the above conversation
and much that followed il. When Mon
walked away and disappeared. leaving Wi
lam Jones ruminant at the broken gate, sh
suddenly reappeared.
Curiously enough ali her excitement ha
departed. Instead of weeping or protesting
; she looked at William Jones-and laughed.
Monk had left his horse at the coastguar
station Renounting he rode rapidly ava
through the sandhills in the direction of th
lake. As he approached the spot of the Of
encampment he saw that the caravan ha
gone.
He rode on thoughtfully till he gained I'll
highway, when he put his horse into a rapi
trot Just before he gained the gate an