The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1886-01-20
Come Ashore.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CARAVAN DISAPPEARS.

( CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CARAVAN DISAPPEAR.
Several days passed away, during which
William Jones showeAa strange and slgaif-
cant affection for his own freside. He went
outs little in tho sunlight; but directly night
came he locked end barTicaded the door as il
against thieves, and declined, on any induce
uaeut. TO cross tie threshold. Even had a
three-decker gone ashore in the neighbor-
hood, he would have thought twice before Is
suing forth into thu dreaded darkness
For William Jones was genuinely AFRAID;
his hereditary calm Of mind was shaken, not
70 much with horror at q murderous deed, as
with CONSERVATION that his lifelong secret
had been discovered by one man, and might,
sooner or later, be discovered by others. lie
did not put implicit faith even In Monk; it
was his nature to trust nobody where money
was concerned.
As to returning back to the cave init he
bad quito recovered bis equanimity was quite
out OF the question. Even by daylight he
avoided the spot with a holy horror. Only
In lis dreams, which were dark and troubled,
did he visit ito see the face of the murdered
nan in the darkness, and the hand OF the
murdered man pointing at him with cold, do
eaying finger.
The day after the murder he had been
greatly unsettled by a visit from Tim Linney,
who demanded news of his master, and said
that hs had not returned to ths caravan all
night. Tim seemed greatly troubled, but
gave vent to no very violent ebullitions OF
grief. When he was gone Matt sat by the
Preside, and looked long and keenlyat William
Jones.
"What are you staring atr' cried he, hdgct-
ing uneassly under her gaze.
"Nowt," said Matt; 81 were only wonder
ing"
"Then don't go wondering, j." exclaimed the
good man, rather inconsistency. "fou mine
your own business, and don't be q foolW
And he turned testify and gaEed at the ire.
But Matt, whose eyes were full OF a curious
light, was not to be abashed-
"Ain'tyou we'll, William Jonesf' she asked.
"I'm well enough am"
cts queer, amt it, that the painter chap
never como homer
SLOW should I known growled William.
Maybe he's gone back to where he come
FROM"
"Or maybe he's drowndedf Or maybe
mm,nat else has happened to him7' suggested
Matt.
IN0vcT yOQ ukLA0 Stb1 n5 6o4s III
right, never fear. And il be amt, it's no
Affair o. yours, or mine neither. lou go
along out and play"
Matt went out as directed, and it was scme
hours before she returned. She found her
guardian seated In his old place by the fire,
looking ut vacancy. He started violently as
she entered, and madea clutch at tho rude
piece Of ships iron which served as . poker.
'Be it you, Matti Lor', how you startled
mel I were-I wre-taking . doze."
"rve been up yonder, }" said Matt.
up wheerin
up to tho painter chaps cart He amt
come back; and the man Il searchin' for him
I'll up and down the plaza"
Fortunately It was very dark, SO that she
could not SEQ the expression OF her hearers
face. She walked to tAs fireplace, and, tax
Ing q box of lucifers from . ledge, began
toprocure Q Light, with the view Of igniting
tho rushlight fixed 70 the table. But ms
moment William blew out the MACH M
matched tho box from her.
What are you dom Off he cried "WaSt
Ing the matches, a. II they cost nowt You'll
come to the workus afors you're dons."
The days passed. and thers was no news Of
the absent MAJ Every DAY Matt went up
TO the caravan to make inquirie2 At last,
enc afternoon, she returned, looking greatly
troubled her eyes were rcd, too, a. il she
had been crying
'sWhat's the matter nowf' demanded VIII
Ham, who had left his usual seat and was
standing at thedoor.
"Nowt, !" aid Matt, wipipy hsr syelids with
the tack Of her hand.
Don't you tall 10 ne. You've heerd
snmmat Sbopi What's that theer under
Jour armr" 3
All at oncs he had perceived that she car
fied a largo roll Of something wrapped In
brown paper. He took it from her. and
opened it n~crvously. It was fhe crayou por-
trait Of herself executed ~ the dsfunct
artist.
WHO gave you this hnrcf' cried William
Jones, trembling moro than wa.
"Tim."
~IYho,s X ~