Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-06-03
ne rose nerlirently went g he door a. },

lhiy--SDiilo iioit eBt5S una IillK. IN TACT, any
thing you've gotl'' said Brinkley, as Replace,
seat for Matt at the little table
Tim gave grunt of dissatisfaction. Thi
sbold Colleen as he called her, was beeom
ing too much for him, but he perforce obeyes
his masters commands Matt sat down anG
ate with an appetite; Brinkley played neg
Igently with his knife and watched her.
at is two days since you were here, Matt.
said he II was seriously thinking of coming
to look for you. Why wouldn't you conn
beforefn
"'Twasnt thatln said Matt. II couldntl'
Couldn't: Whyp
Why, he wouldn't LET me, William Jones'
Re says he'll smash me if 1 come here and
talk to you"
AS Matt spoke her bosom heaved and her
eyes flashed fire.
He amt at home to-day, she said, in an
swer to the young mans query concerning
the ex-wrecker; sshe's gone up to market-town
and won't be back before night
As Brinkley looked at her sudden thought
scored TO strike him
Matt, he said, you and will go wreck
hunting this afternoon; that is, if you've no
objection
She certainly had none; wherever he went
she seemed willing to follow. Ina very little
while the two had started off. 1t was Brink
ley who led this time Matt walking along be-
side him like a confiding child
by the way, Matt" he said presently,
s'you told me once of treasures being hidden
among the sandhills. Did anybody ever find
anyg'
mot that l know on.n
william Jones, for instance!n
"No. Leastways Idon't knows
s'Well, what would you say, Matt, If told
you that l had found one?n
"If you?"
eyes. wonder if you can keep secret?
Yes, on reflection, think you can Now,
before we go any further, Matt, first you
place your hand in mine, and promise never
to mention until give you permission what
l am about to confide in you now"
MATHS curiosity was aroused.
"Ail right" she replied, eagerly, 81 shan't
tell.n
VERY good" replied Brinkley; 1--WE will
now proceed
They passed on among the sandhills and
came to the entrance of tho cave. Brinkley
removed the stones and sand from the hole
and entered. Breathless with curiosity, Matt
followed. They reached the bottom. Brink
ley struck light and pointed out to her all
the wonderful treasures which the cave con-
tanned. 1t was such q surprise to the girl
that for time she could do nothing but stare
and stare in speechless wonder. Whistling
gayly, Brinkley turned about the casks of
rum and brandy and thrust his hands into
the bags and let the cleaning gold slip
through his fingers.
MATHS amazement turned into ave-
Don't" she said, in fearful whisper; lit
belongs to the fairies"
Brinkley laughed
ut belongs to very substantial fairy,
Matt, but l don't think that to-day l viii
r.ention that fairy's name. Did you ever see
so much money in all your life before, MattT'
She shook her head, but her eyes were stiil
fixed upon the gold.
Il see" observed Brinlklcy, fippantly, ''thr
sight of that gold fascinates you. Well, SC
it did mo at first, but you see what use does.
| can regard it now with comparative calm
ness However, have particular wish to
accustom gon to the sight of wealth; there
fore shall bring you here and show you
this now and again. Come, Matt, tell me
what you would do if you were very rich, if
all this fotsam and jetsam belonged to you y
Without the slightest hesitation Matt re-
piled:
Il should give it to you-leastways half
of it."
''Ah, the reply is characteristic. and
clearly shows you are not at present fitted to
become the possessor of riches But / shall
bring you to the proper state of mind in
time, no doubt. The next time l ask YOU q
similar question you will propose to give me
third, tho next an eighth, and so on, until
you will finally come to a proper state OF
mind, and decline to give me any at all.
And now that have made you the sharer OF
my secret we will CO."
They left the cave once more and made
their way back across the sandhills, Brinkley
pausing to obliterate their footprints as they
went. When they had proceeded some dis
lance he paused, and took the girls hand
''Good-by, Matt" said he. "If it wasn't
for that promised smashing should GER
tainly see you home"
Then do, :" returned Matt. 81 don't care
IL he does smash mer'
Probably not, but I do. 1t would be an
episode in your career which it would not be
pleasant to reflect upon-therefore, good-by,
Matt-and-and God bless you, my grill"
He gave her a fatherly salute upon the
foroaead; q bright flush overspread her cheek
as she bounded away. Brinkley watched her
and strolled quietly on in the direction of the
caravan.
cts a strange game" he said, land re-
quires careful waiting. wonder what my
next move ought to beg'
He thought very deeply, but when hs
reached the caravan he found he had come to
no definite conclusion as to his plans. He
therefore partook cheerfuily of the repast
which Tim had prepared for him, and after
he had smoked couple of pipes in the open
air he retired to rest.
The next morning he began bordering
again.
Il have got my trump card" he said To
himself; ''but how to play up to it? 1 have q
splendid hand, but it will want skillful man
aging if | am to win the game. One false
move would do for me, for my opponents are
crafty MS foxes, and they are two against one.
What is my right move, l wonders / wish
some good fairy would guide mel"
He took out his pipe, which was his usual
consider, and smoked while he took few
turns on the greensward outside the Caravan.
Suddenly an idea struck him,
Il think I'll pay domiciliary visit to Mr..
Monk,n he said. 81 can meet him now on
pretty equal terms. If hint few things t.
him, the amiable gentleman may think of be
coming just"
He called up Tim, and sent him on some
trivial errand down to the village. As soon
as be was well out of the way Brinkley en-
tered the caravan, produced some papers
from tho inner pocket of his coat, and locked
them up securely in his trunk
$50 far so gocd,n he said. my amiable
friend may not be III an arniable mood, and ]
don't wish him to get any advantage of lnel'
lie did not even take with him the key OF
the box, but having attached to it a snail
piece of paper, on which were some written
instructions, he hid it in the caravan and
started Off upon his journey
:, 1t was a dark, gloomy morning, giving
very promise of coming storms. As he
passed through the wood which surrounded
Monkshurst House the wind whistled softly
among the trees, making moan like the
sound of human voices.
ga gloomy place." said Brinkley; "a I'll
residence for such as he. Any dark deed
might be committed here, and who would
known
The path which he followed was o reg
lected carriage drive, strewed with stones,
overgrown with weeds and bordered on
either side by the>thiclS trees of the forest
Presently the trees parted and he came IL
view Of the house.
A large, gloomy-looking building, aS
neglected as the woodland in the centre Of
which it stood. 1t seemed as if only part
of it was inhabited, and the large garden at
its back was unprotected by any wall, and
full of overgrown fruit trees
The door was opened by a grim, elderly
woman. He inquired for Mr.. Monk, ard
was informed that he was at home. The
next minute he was standing in a lonely
library where tie owner of the house WIS