San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-02-19
M - X = !:
A TALE OF A CARAVAN.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.


very sorry for that"
He says-W !Iliam Jones sayS-yOu're
come here prying and spying. DO yOu?"
My dear Matt replied the young
man. lightly, Il come here as an hum
bic artist, seeking subjects for my sur
passing genius to work upon. If it is
prying and spying to attempt to pcne-
trate into the beauties of NatuTe-bOth
scenic, animal, and human-I fear |
must plead guilty; but, otherwise"
She interrupted him with an impa-
tent exclamation, accompanied by a
hitch of her pretty shoulders.
Don't talk like that: for then | know
you're chatting. Talk serious. and I'll
tell you something"
"All right. I'll he serious as q par
son. Go ahead.'
Mr.. Monk. of MOnksmrst, wants to
marry me. He said SO to William
Jones"
The Information |Yas delivered with
assumed CaTtIeSsncss: but after it was
given. Matt watched the effect of it up
on the nearer with prccOcious interest.
Brinkley opened hiSeles in very natural
amaZement.
Come, come, Matt; you're joking"
mo, l amt. It's true"
But you're only a child-a very nice
child, | admit-but to talk of holy mat
rimony IN such connection is-excuse
my neutrality-suspicious.. People
don't marry little girls
But Matt did not COnSelH to this prop
osition at all.
Il amt a little girl" she affirmed,
with decisive nod of her head I'm
sixteen, and m growed up"
The young man was amused, and
could not refrain from laughing hearth
ly. But the girls brow darkenedas she
watched him. and her under lip fell as
if she would ike to cry.
IF you go on laughing" she said. I'll
run straight back home. and never come
here no more"
We'll, III try to keep my counte-
nance; hut the idea is very funny. Real
". now? Don't you see il in that light
yOurself:'
Certainly Matt did not. to Judge from
the expression Of her face. She turned
her head away; and BrjnkIey saw. to
his surprise. that Il tear was rolling
down her cheek.
Come, Matt" he said kindly: "you
mustn't take this so seriously. Tell me
all about it-therc'S a good girl"
II will-if you won't laugh"
81 won't thPn-therp."
well. when | Was lying in my bed
this morning | heard William Jones
attacking to some one. He thought
was asleep, but got up and listened,
and heard Mr.. Monks voice: and he
said, says he, She's over sixteen years
old, and I'll marry her; and William
Jones said. Lord, Mr.. Monk: what can
you be a-thinking about? Matt amt
old enough and what's more she amt
fit to be the wife of a fine gentleman
Then Mr.. Monk he stamped with his
foot, like he does when he's in passion,
and he said, says he, My minds made
up, William Jones, and I'm going TO
marry her before the years out; and |
don't care how SOON Then | heard
them moving about. and crept back
to bed and pretended to be fast asleep"
The young mans establishment in
creased. There could he no doubt of
the yeracity and sincerity Of the speak
er; and the story she told was certainly
pulling. Brinkley made up his mind,
without much reflection. that if Mr..
Monk wanted to 90 through the mar
riage ceremony with that child. lie had
some speCial and mysterious reason for
so doing; uulpss-whc h WAS scarcely
pOssible-he was Of a sentimental disDO-
sitiOn, and, in the manner Of manymen
advanced toward middle age, was en-
amOred of Matt youth aud ineXper-
fence.
Tell me, Matt" said Hciukley. after
bordering the matter for some min
utes; "tell me how long have y0uknown
this Mr.. Monk:'
Ever since come ashore" was the
reply.
~Humph!--is he well-to-do?-rich?"
Matt nodded emphatically.
"All Aberglyn belongs to him." she
said, "and the woods up there, and the
farms, and the horses up at the big
house, and-everything."
And though he is such a great per-
son, he is very friendly with William
Jones'"
"Oh, yes" answered Matt; "and
think William Jones is afraid of him
sometimes; but he gives William Jones
money for keepinr me