San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-02-27
M a - 6
A TALE OF 4 CARAVAN.
by ROBERT III CHANAN.


man. He looked mp. and saw to his
amazement that. William was as white
as ghost. and trembling violently.
Whats the matter, William dear?"
he asked, eagerly. Have yc seen a
wreck, my SOM"
NO, | amt" responded his son. viO-
lently; land look We now, old 'un, you
jest be quiet. and let me alone. that
all.'
The old man, knowing his son 5 tenn
per, did as he WAS told. and William
continued to potter aimlessly about the
room. He was certainly trembling very
much. and was almost overcome with a
nervousness for which he himself could
not account. For he was no coward.
To get possession of prize on the high
seas he would have faced a storm which
might we'll make brave men uemhle,
not to mention that he knew that he
had on more than one occasion hui
namely FASTENED the end of shipwreCk-
ed sailors, whom lie had found and pill
LACED on the shore. After these acts he
had been able To sleep the sleep of Vir-
tue without being haunted by dead
mems eyes. But now the case was diff
ferent. He had not to deal with a vic
tim without friends. a man whose body,
described as that of "Shipwrecked
mariner" could he buried and forgot
ten without more ado. In allprObabili-
cry, and William Jones trPmbled lest
his share in the CHASTITY business might
ultimately be discovered.
True, he was not actually the culprit,
and so, even at the worst, lie might
escape the galluwN: but to a man of his
sensitive and aIlrCtOnate nature the
thought of transportation was not pleas
ant. 1t was this that made him nprv-
ouS-this that made him start and trem-
BILE at every sound.
Presently a thought struck him.
"Where'S Matt" he asked.
'DOn't know. William dear; she amt
been here for hours aud hours. Maybe
she's on the shore
Maybe she iS-l'l go and have a
look" returned William.
1t must not besupposed for moment
that William Jones had become afflicted
with Il sudden and tender interest in
Matt-he merely wanted to get quit of
the cabin, that WAS all, and he saw
in this a reasonable excuse for walking
out alone. He accordingly made his
escape, and went wandering off along
the shore.
1t was ten o'clock when he returned;
he was still pale. and drenched to the
skin. The old man was DOING beside
the fire, and alone.
where's Matt?' asked William again.
Amt you seen her, William dear?
Well, she amt here"
William Jones did look little uneasy
this time, and it is but due to him to
confess that his uneasinesS was caused
by Mats prolonged absence. Erratic
as she was in her movements, she had
not been accustomed to staying out so
late, especially on night when the rain
was pouring, and not glimmPr of star
or moon was to be seen.
wonder what she's dom Of" said
William; suppose Id best wait up for
her. Here old man, you go to bed. d We
hear-you amt wanted anyhow"
The Old man accordingly went to bed,
and William sat up to await MATHS re-
turn. lie sat beside the hearth. looked
into the smolderimg fire, and listened to
the rain as it poured down steadily up
on the roof. Occasionally he got up
and went to the door: he could see moth
ing, but he heard the patter of the fall
ing rain, and the low, dreary moan Of
the troubled sea.
Hour after hour passed. and Matt did
not come. William Jones began to doze
by the fire then he sank into heavy
sleep.
lie awOke with a start, and found that
it was broad daylight. The fire was out,
the rain had ceased to fall, and the
morning sun was creeping in at the win
dows. He looked around, and saw that
he was still alone. lIewent into Mats
room. 1t was empty. She had not re-
turned.
He was now filled with vague un-
easiness. lie made up bit of fire, and
was about to 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 as much disturbed
as William Jones himself. Her face
was very pale. her hair wild. Der dress
in great disorder. She started on see
ing him: then. assuming rather devil
may-care look, she loungcd IN.
you're up early, William Jones'"
she said.
Yes, am up early" he replied, grutf-
ly; cause why?-'cauSe amt been to
bed. And where have yOW been?-jeSt
tell me that"
"Why-l've been out, of COurSew re-
turned the girl deliantly.
That won't do. Matt" returned Will
liam Jones. Come, you'll jest tell me
where you've been. You amt been out
all night for nothing"
The girl gave him look half of de-
fiance, half of curiosity; then she threw
herself down. rather than sat, upon a
chair.
I'm tired, l am" she said; "and hun
CRY and cold"
"Will you tell me where you've been,
Matt?" cried William Jones, trembling
with suspicious alarm.
"'Comse 1 will, if you keep quiet"
said the girl in answer. There amt
much to tell, neither. l were away
along to Pencroes when the heavy rain
came on; then lay down behind hay
stack and fell asleep, and when l woke
up it was daylight, and come home"
William Jones looked at her stead