The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-05-23

merely wanted to get quit Of tho cabin, that
was all, and he saw in this reasonable ex-
,use for walking out alone. lilo accordingly
made his escape, and went wandering OIL
along the shore.
II was ten o'clock when he returned; he
was sim pale, End drenched to the s.in. The
,ld man was doing beside the fire, and alone.
"Where's Nat, - asked William again.
CANT YOU seen her, William deari Well,
she amt here
William Jones did look little uneasy this
timc. and it is but due TO him to confess that
his uneasincss was caused by Mats prolonged
absence. Erratic as she was III her move
mcnts, she had not been accustomed to stay
! ne out so late, especially on night when the
rain was pouring and not glimmer OF star
! or moon was TO DO seem
"Wonder what she's a-don' Of" said Will
liam; Suppose I'd best wait up former. Here,
| DID man, YOU go TO bed, dye hear-you amt
wanted anyhow"
The old man accordingly went to bed, and
! William sat up to await MATHS return. he
,at beside the hearth, looked into the smolder-
ing fire, end listened to the rain asit poured
down steadily upon the roof. Occasionally
he got I'D and went to the door; he could SEQ
nothing, but no heard the patter OF tho falling
rain and the low, dreary moan OF the troubled
sen.
Hour after hour passed, and Matt did not
come. William Jones began to doze by the
Gre-thcn he sank into a heavy sleep.
He aNulc with a start, and found that 1t
was broad daylight The fire was out, the
rain had ceased To fall, and the morning sun
was creeping in at the windows. He looked
around. and saw that he was still alone. He
went into MATHS room-it was empty. She
had not returned.
He was now filed with n vague uneasiness.
He made up a lit Of fire, and was about 10
issue forth again in search of the truant when
all further trouble was saved him-the door
opened, and Matt herself appeared
She seemed almost rs much disturbed as
William Jones himself Her face was very
pale, her hair wild, Eer dress in great dis
order. She started on seeing him; then, as
sumine rather deyil-may care look, she
lounged in.
you're up early, William Jones' she said.
eyes, | am up early, he replied, grutlly;
"causc why:-cause l amt been To bed.
And where have yon becn-jest You tell Inc
that
"Whv. I've been out, Of course returned
the girl dciiGntly.
THAT won't do, Matt returned William
Jones. Come, you'll jest tell me where
you've been. Youa;n't lean out all night for
nothing
The girl gave him look half of defiance,
half of curiosity; thcnshc threw herself down,
rather than sat, upon chair.
"rm tired, | am she said, 'and hungry
and cold"
"Will you tell me where you've been, Matt'"
cried William jones, trembling with susp.
cious alarm.
"Course will, if you keep quiet" said
the girl in answer. "There amt much to
tell, neither. were away along to Pencroes
when the heavy rain came on; then | lay
down behind haystack and fell asleep, and
when l woke up it was daylight, and come
homen
William Jones looked at her steadfastly and
long; then, as if satisfied, he turned away.
About an hour later he left the hut and
walked along the shore, straining his eyes
seward. But instead of looking steadfastly
at one spot, as his custom was, he paused now
and again to gaze uneasily about him AT
every sound he started and turned pale. In
truth, he was becoming q veritable coward
afraid almost Of the sound Of his own foot
steps on the sands.