The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-05-23
/" COME ASHORE"
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN,
CHAPTER XI.
MYSTERIOUS BEHAVIOR or THE YOUNG
GENTLEMAN.

taiuing, Often when she appeared and begal
chatting to him about affairs in which sh
thought he might take some interest she haC
the modification not merely Of elicitins II,
reply but of finding that he hal not heard I
pord Of her conversation.
Now, this style of preceding would Ger
tainly have caused her sorie Annoyance bal
for ono compenSatinS fact, which put tI'
balance entirely On tho other side ltwa
evident that, despite the c.>lngc, BrinAlcy,
interest in Matt was not lesSen.ng; nay, II
rather seemed TO DO on the Increase; and thi:
fact Matt, very womanlike as she was, wa
quick to perceive.
Very often, on looking suddenly at him.
she found his eyes fixed wondcringly and
gympathrtically upon her. She asked him
on one occasion what he was thinking about.
"Iou, Matt ho answered, promptly 81
was trying to imagine, he continued, seeing
her blush and hang her head, show you
would look in silks and velyets; got up, in
TACT, like grand demoiselle. What would
YOU say, now, if a good fairy were to find you
out some day and were to offer t. change You
from what you are 10 a fine young lady -
would You say Yes"
Matt reflected for moment, then shs FOL
lowed her feminine instinct, and nodded her
head vigorously.
Ably the way, Matt, can you reddi'
print not writing"
and write"
, Just h.tN
"Who taught you' William jones'
no, that he didn't; | learned of Tim Pen
rcrud5Wu village. William Jones' ha can't
read and Lo can't write; no moro can William
Jones' father
This last piece Of Information set The young
man thinking so deeply that the rest Of the
interview became rutLer dull for Matt When
.hc rose TO 60 however, he came out Of his
abstraction, and asked her If she would return
on the following day.
IL don't kuow-praps" she said.
"Ah.n returned the young man, assuming
his fippant manner, "you find me tedious
company, fear The fac. i, | en- 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 10 syn of Matt. He
began to think the child had taken offenSe,
and that be would have 10 seek her in her
own home, when her oppcrtune appearance
prevented the journey. He was taking hi
breakfast one morning inside the caravan.
when be suddenly became conscious that Matt
was standing outside watching him.
''Oh, you are there, are you {" he said coolly.
nCome in and have some breakfast, Matt
He rose ncgligently, went to the door and
held forth his hand; Matt took it, gave one
spring AMI landed inside tho vehicle.
Tin, another knife and fork for the young
lady-some more eggs and milk; in fact, any
thing you've got' said Brnkley, as he placed
a seat for Matt at the little table.
Tim gave a grunt of dissatisfaction. This
"bold Colleen" as he called her. was becom.
ing too much for him, but he perforcc obeyed
his masters commands. Matt sat down and
ate with an appetite, Brinkley played neg.
lseutly wI,h rs knife and watched her.
81, iaiwo days since you were here, Matt,
sad he. L vas seriously thinking Of comma
TO look for you. Why wouldn't you come
before"
"TTwasn't that" said Matt. 81 couldntr
aCouldn'tl Whyr
"Why, he wouldn't lot me, William Jones
Tie sayjhe'l smash ne if l come here and
talk to YOU
As Matt spoke her bosom hcaycd and her
eyes flashed FIRE.
'fle amt at homo to-day" she said, in an
Swer to the young mans query concerning
the eX-wrecler; "he's gone up to market-town
and won't 30 back before night"
As BIinlley looked at her n sudden thought
4eemed g. strike him.
Matt, " To said, you and will go wreck
hunting tits afternoon; that is, if you've no
Dbjcet.or.'
She certainly h2d none; wherever lilo went
she seemed willing to follow. Ina very little |
while the two had started Off. 1t was Brin,. |
ley who led this timc Matt walking along be-
side him like conilding child
by tho way, Matt" he said presently, |
'you told me ouco Of treasures being hidden |
among the sandhills. Did anybody ever find
nyp
Not thai | know on"
IVY illiam Jones, for instancem
mo. Lcastways don't know"
well, what would you say, Matt, if told
you that had found one"
'D you"
ayes. wond.r if You can keep secretl
Yes, on reflection, think you can. Now,
before We go any further, Matt, first you
place your hand in mine, and promise never
TO mention until give you permission what
am about 10 c0niltle In you now"
Mats curiosity was aroused.
All right, she replied, eagerly, ~ shan't
tei.n
Every good" replied Brinkley; 1--WE will
now proceed"
They passed on among the sandhills and
came to the entrance of tho cave. Brinkley |
removed the stones and sand from the hole |
and entered. Breathless with curiosity, Matt |
followed. They reached tho bottom. Brink
ley struck a light and pointed out to her all |
Che wonderful treasures which the cave con-
tanned. 1t was such a surprise to tho girl |
that for time she could do nothing but stare
and stare in spoechless wonder. Whistling |
gayly, Brinkley turned about the casks Of |
rum and brandy and thrust his hands into |
the bags and let tho cleaning gold slip |
through his fingers
Mats anazement turned into awe
Don't, she said, in a fearful whisper; sit |
belongs to the fairies"
Brinkley laughed.
1t belongs to very substantial fairy, |
Matt, but | don't think that to-day l will |
mention that fairys name. Did you ever see |
80 much money in all your life before, Mattf' |
She shook her head, but her eyes were still |
fixed upon tho gold.
II see, observed Brinkley, fiippantly, '1the |
sight Of that gold fascinates You. Well. SO
n did mo at first hnt Won aaa ,xbat ,,sa ,,,o,