Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-05-29

Here UneJ paused, pilllciJedilJ iol ID iAhi0y W
take glance at the quaint dwelling, then
they crossed the threshold. What sort of
place he had got into it was utterly impos-
sible for BrinEley to tell; it was SO dark he
could see nothing. Having crossed the
threshold, therefore, he paused, but Matt
went fearlessly forward, struck q light, and
ignited the rushlight on the table.
civilian Jones'" said she, "here be the
painterT'
By the light of the Pickering rushlight
B1inkley now looked about him. At glance
he noted some Of the details of the queer lit
tie room; then his eye fell upon the occu-
pants, whom, from MATHS description, he
recognized as William Jones and The grizzly
author of his being.
The old man, who Brinkley perforce adj
mitted, certainly bore some resemblance to
the Rembrandtish head which Matt had rec
ognized, sat DOING fitfully by the hearth
while his son was busily employed in mend
ing an old lantern.
Upon the entrance of Brinkley the lantern
was quickly thrown aside, and William Jones,
assuming most obsequious manner, fastened
to give a welcome to tie stranger Brinkley
was amused. He accepted William Jones'
offer of a seat, then he lit up his briar-root
pipe, and, while smoking lazily, he put few
questions to his host. But if he expected to
gain information Of any kind he was soon I'M
deceived William Jones was no fool. Com
bined with excessive avarice, he possessed all
the cunning Of the fox, and the moment he
saw that the stranger was pumping him he
was on his guard.
Presently, however, his curiosity gained
the day. Categorically, in his turn, he began
to question Brinkley about his doings.
81 suppose now, MASTER" said he, 'syou
travel about deal in that cart o yourn?"
Brinkley explained that the "cart'' in ques-
ton had been in his possession only few
months.
s'But Travelled good deal before l got
it, he explained. 'sThis time last year was
in Ireland"
Sin Ireland, masterW
eyes, on the west coast; do you know lt?'
William Jones shook his head.
s'There be plenty wreck there, amt there's"
said he, suddenly.
'sWreckH' repeated Brinlkley.
eyes, I've heard tell O wonderful storms
and big ships breaking up Look ye now,
they do tell wonderful tales; and wonder
sometimes Il all they says be true"
Brinkley looked at his host for minute or
SO in silent wonder, for the little man was
transformed. Instead of gazing about him
with the stupid expression which up till now
bis face had worn, his face expressed all the
keenness of a fox-houud well on the scent.
There was also another curious thing which
the young man noticed: that the word
swreck' seemed to act like magic on the
other member of the Jones household. At
the first mention Of it the old man started
from his sleep; and he now sat staring wildly
before him, evidently imagining he was
standing on headland, going out to sea.
''Wreckn he murmured. SAY, there it
be, driftin' in wi the wind and tide, William
-driftin' in WI the tide"
'sShut up, old man," said William, giving
his father nudge; then, turning again to
Brinkley, he said: "Be them tales true, mas
ter?'
sEh? Oh, yes, perfectly true" said Brink
lev. being in a lively humor, and determined
to give his host a treat
The expression in theeyes of William Jones
became even more greedy.
''P'raps," he said, ''you've seen some Of
them wrecks?"
s'Dear me, yes" answered Brinkley, de-
termined to give the reins to his Imagination.
Tive seen any number of them. Huge ships
broken up like match-boxes, and every soul
on board them drowned; thon afterward-"
"Ah, yes, mister" SAID William Jones,
eagerly, as the other paused; carter"
"Well, afterward, my friend, I've seen
treasures come ashore that would have made
you and me, and a dozen others such, rich for
lifen
'Dear, dear! and what became Of it, mis-
ter-tell me that?"
whose imagination was beginning to give
way; ''why, it was appropriated, of course
by the population"
"And didn't you take your share, mister?'
'Ign repeated Brinkley, who was getting
muddled; "well, no firstly, because didn't
wish to- have a superstitious horror of wear
ing dead mems things; and secondly, because
could not have done so had wished. The
people are clannish; they wanted it all for
themselves, and would have killed any inter-
ferng stranger"
II suppose mister, there be no coastguard
chaps there?" said William Jones.
ooh, dear, no! No coastguards."
"Ah!" sighed the old man, coming out of
his trance. 'It warn't so long ago when
there warnt no coastguard chaps here
neither. Then times was better for honest
men. On dark night twas easy to put
light on the headland, and sometimes we got
prize Or two that way, didn't we, William
dear? But now"
''You shut upr' roared William, giving his
paTouG u very lOIclDlo Jug LII Guo IlDS L ON
don't know what you're talkin' about, you
don't. The old 'un is a bit queer in the head,
master,n he explained; land he's allus a
dreamin', he is There amt no prizes here,
the Lord knows; it's almost as much as we
can do to git bit O bread. Matt knowa
that; don't ee, Mattw
But whatever Matt knew she evidently
meant to keep to herself, for she gave no re-
ply. Presently, after a little more general
conversation, Brinkley rose to CO. He offered
two-shilling piece to William Jones, and,
somewhat to his amazement, that worthy &C
cepted it gratefully.
"Good-by, Matt" said Brinkley. But in a
trice Matt was beside him.
''I'm going to show you the way" she ex1-
planned as she went out with him into the
air.
s'Whew" said Brinkley when they were
fairly clear of the cabin; ''the open air is
better than that den; but then William Jones
is very poor, isn't he, Mattg'
tile says he is"
"But don't you believe it?'
''P'raps I do, and p'raps don't; it don't
matter to you, does it?"
s'Not the least in the world"
They went On for a while in silence; then
Matt, who had been furtively watching his
face all the while, spoke again.
''You amt angry, are you, master?" she
asked.
'Iangry? what fors''
"Cause I said that just nown
'Dear me, no; whatever you might say,
Matt, wouldn't offend me.n
If he expected to please her by this he was
mistaken.
'That's cause you don't care. Well, I
don't care neither, if you don't"
She ran little ahead of him, and contin-
ued to precede him until she gained the last
sandhill and caught glimpse of the caravan.
Then she paused.
''You don't want me to go no further, do
you?'
'No"
"All right-goodby."
She gave bound, like young deer, and
prepared to start for swift run back, but
the young man called her.
"Matt, come herer'
She came up to him. He put his arm about
her shoulders, bent over her upturned face,
and kissed her. In her impulsive way, Matt
returned the kiss ardently; then, to his