Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-06-10

SoAA VI cAt,tot, oaiu NAV.
up wheerf'
up to the painter chaps cart. He amt
come back; and the man is searchin, for him
all up and down the place"
Fortunately it was very dark, so that she
could not see the expression of her hearers
face. She walked to the fireplace, and, TAX
ing box of lucifers from a ledge, began
to procure light, with the view Of igniting
the rushlight fixed to the table. But in a
moment William blew out the match and
natched the box from her.
What are you doin' Off he cried. "Wast-
ing the matches, as il they cost nowt. You'll
come to the workus afore you're done.n
The days passed, and there was no news Of
the absent man. Every day Matt went up
to the caravan to make inquiries. At last,
one afternoon, she returned, looking greatly
troubled; her eyes were red, too, as il she
had been crying.
s'Whats the matter nowan demanded VIII
liam, who had left bis usual seat and was
standing at the door.
"Nowt, said Matt, wiping her eyelids with
the back of her hand.
Don't you tell no lies. You've heerd
summat Stopl What's that theer under
your armP'
All at once he had perceived that she car
ried large roll of something wrapped in
brown paper. He took it from her, and
opened it neryously. 1t was the crayon por-
trait of herself executed by the defunct
artist.
who gave you this hereF' cried William
Jones, trembling more than ever.
Tim"
"Who's herr
Him Us come looking arter his master.
The painter chap amt found; and now Tins
going away in the cart to tell his friends.
And he give me thts-my pictur'; he give me
it to keep. His master said were to have it;
and mean to keep it now he's dead"
William Jones handed back the picture, and
seemed relieved, indeed, when it was out OF
his hands.
''Dead!' he muttered, not meeting MATHS
eyes, but looking right out to sea. "Who
told you he were deadf
Matt did not reply, but gazed at William
SO long and so significantly that the good man,
conscious of her scrutiny, turned and plunged
into the darkness of his dwelling.
An hour later a loud voice called him forth.
He went to the door, and there was Monk, of
Monkshurst. 1t was the first time they had
met since they parted on the night of the
murder. Monk was dressed in a dark sum-
mer suit, and looked unusually spick and
span.
where's the girlT he cried, after whis-
pered colloquy of some minutes. "Matt,
where are you!n
In answer to the call Matt appeared at the
door. No sooner did she perceive Monk than
she trembled violently, and went very pale.
"Come here, Matt, he said, with an insin-
uating smile. ''Seel I've brought some
thing for you-something pretty for you to
wear
As he spoke he drew from his waistcoat
pocket small gold ring, set with turquoise
stones. But Matt still trembled, and shrank
away.
81 don't want it'll shan't wear it,n she
cried
''Nonsense, Mattp said Monk. "Why, it's
a ring fit for lady. Come, let me put it on
your finger
So great seemed her agitation, SO deep her
dread of him, that she could not stir; SO that
when he approached, laughing, and caught
her round the waist, he slipped the ring on
her finger before she could resist But it only
remained there moment. With a quick,
sharp cry, she tore herself free, and, taking
the ring off, threw it right away from her
upon the sand. Then, with wild gesture OF
fear and loathing, she rushed into tho cottage.
William jones walked over and picked up
the ring, while Monk stood scowling darby
after the fugitive.
''Whet the devil ails the girl'" cried tbs
latter, with fierce oath, pocketing the pres
ent.
81 dunno Shes never been thu same
since-since the painter chap went missing.
I'm afeerd he turned the gals head"
Hell turn no more heads" muttered
Monk under his breath; he added aloud and
with decision, "There must be an end to this.
She must be married to me at once"
''Do you mean it, masters When yor
spoke on it fust thought you was joking"
''Then you were q fool for your pains
She's old enough, and bold enough, and vix
enish enough; but I'll tame her. l tell yor
there must be no more delay. My minds
made up, and I'll wait no longer"
Sinking their voices they continued to tall
together for some time. Now, Matt wa.
crouching close to the threshold, and had
heard every word of the above conversation
and much that followed it. When Monl
walked away and disappeared, leaving VIII
liam Jones ruminant at the broken gate, she
suddenly reappeared.
Curiously enough all her excitement had
departed. Instead of weeping or protesting,
she looked at William Jones-and laughed.
Monk had left his horse at the coastguard
station. Remounting he rode rapidly away
through the sandhills in the direction of the
lake. As he approached the spot Of the old
encampment he saw that the caravan had
gone.
He rode ON thoughtfully till he gained the
highway, when he put his horse into rapid
trot. just before he gained the gate and
avenue near to which he had first encountered
Brinkley, he saw the caravan before him on
the dusty road.
He hesitated for a moment, then hurried
rapidly forward, and, arriving close to the
vehicle, saw the Irishman's head looking
round at him from the drivers seat. He
beckoned, and Tim pulled up.
Has your master returned3 / am in
formed that he has been missing for some
days.
Tim shook his head very dolefully.
mo, sor; sorTa sight have seen of him for
three days and three nights. I'm going back
wild the haste and the house to tell his friends
the bad news. Maybe it's making fun Of me he
Is, and Ill find him somewheres on the road. n
Il hope you will," said Monk, sympa-
thetically. Il think-hum-it is quite pos
sible he has, as You suggest, wandered home
ward. Good day to you.n
So saying Monk turned Off by the gate
which they had just reached, and rode away
up the avenue.
Tim looked after him till he disappeared.
Then the same curious change came over him
which had come over Matt after she had
been listening to the colloquy between Monk
and William Jones.
He laughedi