Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-06-05
CHAPTER X.
A DISCOVERY.

CHAPTER X.
DISCOVERY.
The young man of the caravan was now
thoroughly convinced that one of two things
must be true: either that William Jones had
been instructed to keep watch upon him, or
that he, William Jones, had secret of sorae
sort which he was anxious not to have re-
vealed After both suggestions had been
duly weighed, the second was accepted as the
most likely and it forthwith received the
young mans consideration.
If there was a secret, he argued it was in
some way connected-frstly, with William
Jones' worldly prosperity; secondly, with the
reports current of treasure hidden in times
past among the sandhills or the dangerous
caverns Of the sea. Was it possible, after all,
that these reports We're true, and that in
some mysterious manner Jones had become
acquainted with the hiding-places It seemed
very improbable for many reasons, one of
the chief being the mans extreme poverty,
which appeared to touch the very edge of
sheer starvation.
A little inquiry in the neighborhood, how
ever, elected the information that Jones, de-
spite his abject penury, was certainly well-to-
do, and had money in the bank of the neigh
boring market town; that the ruined village
VI IL peIOllSGd ttll1OSU 0uUlIS1y 10 I'LL
| and that, in short, he was by nature and
habit a misery person, who would prefer
boarding up whatever he possessed to pur-
chasing with it the commonest necessaries of
life.
An old coastguard, whom Brinkley found
next day on the station, was his chief in
| formant
Don't you believe him, sir, said this old
| salt, eff he tells you he's poor He's a shark
William Jones is, and couldn't own up even
to his own father. It's my belief he's got
gold hidden somewheres among them sand
hills let alone what he's got in the savings
bank. All, he's an artful one, is William
Jones'"
Brinkley had said nothing of his own pri-
vate suspicious, but had merely introduced in
a general way the subject of Jones' worldly
position. Further conversation with Tim,
who had made few struggling acquaintance
in the district, eorroborated the other testi-
mony. The young man became more and
more convinced that William Jones was
worth studying.
Matt had not turned up that morning. In
stead OF looking after her Brinkley took
another stroll toward the vicinity of the
Devils Caldron. He had not gone far before
he discovered that he was watched again
The figure of William Jones followed in the
distance but keeping him well in view.
1t was certainly curious.
He walked over to the cliffs and looked
down at the scene of yesterdays bathing adj
venture. A strong wind was blowing
and the waves were surging up the rocks
with deafening roar and foamy spume, The
place looked very ugly, particularly near the
Caldron. All the passage was chr1rned to
milky white, and the sound from beneath
was, to quote an old simile, like the roar of
innumerable chariots.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw the
head of William Jones eagerly watching, the
body being hidden behind an intervening
rock.
Stranger he reflected, s'My predatory
friend can't keep his treasure, if he possesses
any, down in that watery gulf. Yet when
ever come near it his manner tells me that
am warm as they say in the game of hide
and seek.
To test the matter little further, hes set off
on brisk walk along the cliffs, leaving the
Caldron behind. He found, as he had sus-
pected, that he was no longer followed. Re-
turning as he came, and resuning his old
position, he saw William Jones Immediately
reappear.
That day he discovered no c1ew to the
mystery, nor the next, nor the next again,
though on each day he went through similar
performance. Strange to say, Matt had not
| put In an appearance, and for reasons of his
own he had thought it better not to seek her.
On the morning Of the third day-a dark
| chilly morning, after a night of rain-Tim
put his head into the Caravan, where his
master was seated at his easel, and grinned
| delightedly.
"Mr. Charlesl She's come, SCRIP
"Who the deuce has Gomez cried Brink
ley.
"The lady, your honor, to have her picture
taken. Will I show her into the parlor?"
But as he spoke Matt pushed him aside and
| entered. She wore her best clothes but
looked little pale and anxious, Brinkley
thought, greeting her with familiar nod
$50 you've come at last? Tim, get out,
you rascal I thought you had given me
up"
He assumed GOODNESS, though he felt it
not, for he had made up his mind not to ZEN
courage the young person.
81 couldn't come before-they wouldn't let
me. But last night William Jones he didn't
come home, and I broke open the box and
took cut my clothes, and ran straight off
here
Her face fell as she proceeded for she could
not fail to notice the GOODNESS of the young
mans greeting
''Well, since you haze come we'll get to
work, said Brinkley. cts chilly and damp
outside, so we'll remain here in shelter"
| Matt took off her hat, and then proceeded
to divest herself of her coarse jacket, reveal
ing for the first time the low-necked silk
dress beneath. Meantime the young man
placed the sketch in position. Turning pres
entity, he beheld MATHS transformation.
Old and shabby as the dress was, torn here
and there, and revealing beneath glimpses of
coarse stockings and clumsy boots, it be-
came her wonderfully. AS result of much
polishing with soap and water her face shone
again, and her arms and neck were white as
snow. Thus attired, Matt looked no longer
long, stumbling girl, but tall, bright, re-
| splendent young lady.
1t was no use. Brinkley could not conceal
his admiration. MATHS arms alone were
enough to make painter wild with delight.
'Why, Matt, you look positively magnifi-
cent had no idea you were so pretty"
The girl blushed with pleasure
The young man worked away for & good
hour and half, at the end of which time he
! put the finishing touch to the sketch.
Finds coronat opus" he cried. "Look,
Lao