Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-07

IL ootsaes. and little after he bad disap-
peared Matt issued forth; but instead OF
beating the shore for drewood, q she bad
been told to do, she ran across the neids 70
TIE painter.
She found him already established ct his
work. The fact was he bad been for some
time strolling about with his hands in hb
pockets and scanning the prospect on every
side for . sight Of her. Having got tired Of
this Characteristic occupation, he at length
sat down and began to put few touches to
the portrait. Seeing that he was unconscious
of her approach, Matt crept up quietly be-
hind him and took peep at the picture.
Her black eyes dilated with pleasure.
ooh, amt it beautifulF' she exclaimed.
$50 you have come at last" said Brinkley
quietly, going on with his painting.
She made no movement and no further
sound; so he continued:
"Perhaps, now you hare come, you'll be
GOOD enough to step round that may con-
tinue nv work. am longing to refresh my
memory with sight of your face, Matt"
ssWeil, you can't" said Matt; they're
locked upm
sEh-what's locked up-my memory or
your facer
It 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
u,utinous, She would have skunk off but his
voice stopped her.
"Come here, Matt" he said. 'Don't be
silly, child; tell me what's the matter, and
WHY, whct has become of your Respondent
raiment-your gorgeous Sunday clothesf'
'sDidn't I tell youHthey're locked up"
s'Indeedf'
Eyes, William Jones done it cause he told
him. He don't want me to come here and be
took"
"Ohi Tell you what it is, Matt, we will
have our own way in spite Of them. For the
present this picture shall be put aside. If in
q day or SO you can again don your Sunday
raiment, and sit to me again in them-if
not, dare say shall be able to finish the
dress from memory. That portrait I shall
give to you. In the meantime, as want one
for myself, will paint you as you are. Do
you approveT
Matt nodded her head vigorously.
Every well, " said Brinkley. Then wewill
get on"
He removed from his easel and carefully
covered the portrait upon which he had been
working. Then he put up fresh cardboard,
and sat down, inviting Matt to do the same.
clothes the girls stiffness seemed 10 have dis
appeared also, and she became again a YER
liable child of nature. She looked like q
shaggy young pony fresh from race ON the
unountain-side, as she threw herself on the
ground in an attitude which was all pictur-
sequences and beauty. Then, with her plump,
sun-burned hand she began to carelessly pull
up the grass, while her black eyes searched
alternately the prospect and the painters
face.
Presently she spoke:
"He says you're a pryin scoundrel," abe
said
Brinkley looked up and smiled.
''Who is he, Mattf'
''Mr. Monk, !" she replied, and gave jerk
with her head in the direction Of Monkshurst.
''Oh, indeed" said Brinkley. ''It is my
amiable equestrian friend, is it, Pm sure I'm
much obliged to him. And when, may ask,
did he bore you with his opinion Of meY'
LAST night, when he come to see William
Jones. He said wasn't to be took no more,
cause you was scoundrel, pokin' and
pryin'."
Brinkley began to whistle, and went on for
a while vigorously touching up his work.
Then he looked up and regarded the girl
curiously
''Mr. Monk seems to be very much inter-
ssted in you, MattF
The girl nodded her head vigorously; then,
remembering the odious cares to which Mr..
Monk had subjected her, she began to vio-
lently rub her cheek again
"Why is Mr.. Monk 50 interested In you!
Do you known
''P'raps it's cause he found me when I come
ashore"
"Oh, he found you, did hel Then why
doesn't he keep your
HE do, only i've along q William
Jones"
Again Brinlley began whistling lightly
AMI wor. :2s away vigorously with his
brush. Presently the conversation began
again.
Matt, what things did you come ashore
mr'
81 dunno"
"1ou have ne7er heard whether anything
was found with you which might lead to
your finding your relahonsrn
mo; no more has William Jones. He
says maybe they'll find me some day and re-
ward him, but Mr.. Monk says they were all
drownded, and amt got no friends 'cept
him and William Jones'"
wei, since he found you, I suppose he
ought to know; and since you have no rela-
tons, Matt, and no claim upon anybody in
the world, it was very kind of Mr.. Monk to
Keep you, instead Of sending you to the work.
house, as he might have done"
On this point Matt seemed rather skeptical.
wen, continued Brinkley, as he went on
lightly touching up his work, "perhaps have
done my equestrian friend a wrong. Perhaps
his unamiable exterior bellies his real nature
perhaps he is good and kind, generous to the