The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-04-25
to tho manor born, and the boat shot out

to tho manor born, and the boat shot out
swiftly on tho shining sea.
Tho sun was burning with almost insuifer-
able brightness, and the light bla2cd on tie
golden mirror Of the water with binding re-
fractcd rays. Crouching in the stern OF the
boat, William Jones shaded his eyes with both
hands and cazcd intently on the object he had
discovered far out to sea. Now and then he
made n rapid motion TO guido the girl in her
rowing but he did not speak word.
Oh. how hot it was out there on the wideiess
waves! Fer some time Matt pulled on in
silence; but at last she could bear it no longer,
and rested on her oars, with the warm per-
spiraton streaming down her freckled cheeks.
Pull away, Matt" said tho man, not look
inc ut her. you amt tired, not YOU"
With long-drawn breath Matt drew in the
oars, and, swift as thought, peeled off her
Jacket and threw Off her hat, leaving her head
exposed TO tho burning sum-
Now, the silk gown she wore had evidently
been usol by its original owner rs n festal
raimcnt, for it had been cut low, and had
short sleeves. SO Mats shoulders and arms
were perfectly bare, and very white they
loo kcd in contrast with her sun-freckled hands,
her sun-burned face, and her warm brown
neck Her bust was as yet undeveloped, but
her neck aud shoulders wero fine, and her
arms beautifully nodded. Altogether, her
! friend the painter, could he have seen her just
then, would have regarded her with increasing
admiration.
Freed from the incumbranco OF her jacket,
she now pulled away with easy grace ard
| skill. Farther and farther the boat receded
from shore, till the promontory they had left
was a couple of miles away. Suddenly Will
liam Jones made a sign to the girl to stop,
and stool up in the boat to rcconnoitre.
The ol jcct at which he had been gazing so
long was now clearly visible 1t consisted of
something black, floating on CLASSY stretch
of water, and surrounded by fragments of
loose scum or froth; it was to all appearance
motionless, but was, in reality, drifting
YEARLY shoreward on the flowing tide.
William Jones now cvinced increasing ex-
element, and urged his companion to hurry
quickly forward-which she did, putting out
all her strength in series of rapid and power
full strokes. Another quarter of an hour
brought them to tho spot where tho object
was floating Trembling with eagerness, the
man leaned over the boats side with out
stretched hands.
with a curious gesture Of dread.
What is it, William Jones" she asked, not
looking at him. 1T isn't-you know-one o
thrmI"
NO it ANTI replied the man, leaning over
the sido of tho coble and fitting the gunwale
almost to the wa,er's edge. TOO early for
them, Matt. If they comes, it won't be til
Sundays tide. They're down at the bottom
now, and amt yet rose. Easy! Lean 'tother
wayi So thore--look out"
As he spoke, he struggled with something
In the water, and at last, with IN effort which
almost capsized the boat, pulled it in. Matt
looked now, and saw that it was a small, fiat,
wooden trunk, covered with pieces OF Shiny
weed. Floating near it were several pieces If
splintercd wood, which seemed to have formed
part of beat. These, too, William secured
and threw down on the footboarI beneath
him.
cts box that's what it is" cried Matt
"Its box, surely" said Jones. and it's
locked too. And, look ye now. inisdoubt
there's nowt inside, or mayhap it would have
sunk Horsepower, we'll see!"
After an unavailnlg effort to force it open
with his hands he drew forth large clasp
knife, worked away at the lock, and tried TO
force open the lid, which soon yielded to his
efforts, as the action of the salt water had
al eady begun to rot the wood On being
thus opened tho box was found to contain
only couple Of coarse linen shirts, an old
newspaper, two or three biscuits, and half u
bottle of some dark fluid.
After examining these articles one by one
William Jones threw them back into the box
with gestures Of disgust, retaining only the
bottle, which he uncorkei and applied to his
lips
RUM he said, smacking his lips and nod
ding at Matt. Then, recorking the bottle
carefully, he returned it to tho box, and,
standing up, reconnoitreI the sea ON every
side. But nothing else rewarded his eager
search: he threw himself down in the stern
of the boat and ordered Matt to pull back to
shore
AS they went he closed one eye thought
fully and unused aloud:
might afore last it blew half gale from
the southland This here box came awash
from the east coast of Ireland. May be it
was n big ship as was lost; them planks was
part of the vessels ong-boat Mores coming
if the wind don't come up from the norrard.
The moons full tonight and tomorrow. I'll
tell the old 'un and keep sharp lookout off
the Caldron Pint"
Mattrowed on steadily till they came with.
in quarter of mile of the shore, when vii.
liam Jones stood up again and reconnoitrod
the prospect inland.
Pull in, Mattl" he said, after minute.
"Alls square!'
Soon afterward tho boat reached the rocks
William Jones sprang out and, running upto
the platform above. took another survey
This being satisfactory, he ran down again
and lifted tho box out Of the boat, carrying
it with ease under ono arm.
"Make the boat fast, ~ ho said, in husky
whisper; 'and bring them bits O. wood along
with you for tho fire. I'll cut ON to the cot
tage with this here. 1t amt much, but it's
summat, SO I'll carry it clean out o. sight be-
fore them precious coastguards come smell
ing about"
With these words he clamberd up tho
rocks with his burden, leaving Matt to fol-
low leisurely in his wake
CHAPTER Y.
CONCLUDES WITH A KISS.
y +