Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-04-18

| therefore, would frequently, in his idle
way, bestir himself good deal, where
as, II he had been ordered to bestir HIM
self, he would have yawned and resisted.
Herehis otherconstitutional defect came
in, and set him prying into matters
which in no way seriously concerned
him. A little time before the period of
his present excursion, when he was
studying law in Dublin, and rapidly dis
covered that he loved artistic amateur
ship much better, he had often been
known to work terribly hard at "cases"
in which his curiosity was aroused; and
may add in passing that he had shown
on these occasions an amount of
shrewdness which would have made him
an excellent lawyer. If his invincible OBJ
| lection to hard work, qua work, had not
invariably interfered.
No sooner was he left to his own medi-
tations, which the faithful Tim (who had
fortunately been away on foraging ex-
pedition during the episode described
in my last chapter) was not at hand to
disturb, than our young gentleman be-
gan puZzling his brain over the curious
information she had given him. The
facts, which he had no reason to ques-
ton, ranged themselves under four
heads:
~ Matt had been cast ashore, fifteen
years previously, at an age when she
could pronounce the word papa" 1t
followed, as rational argument, that
she had been, say, one year old, or
thereabouts.
| ~ Mr.. Monk had found her, and Civ
en- her into the care of William Jones,
and had since handed that worthy sums
OF money for taking care of her. Query,
What reason had the said Monk for ex-
hibiting so much care for the child. un-
less he were q person OF wonderfully
benevolent disposition, which my hero
was not at all inclined to believe?
(3) Said Monk and said Jones were on
| very familiar terms, which was curious,
seeing The difference in their social po-
sitions. Query again, Was there any
private reason, any mysterious knowl-
edge, any secret shared in common,
which bound their interests together?
| al Last and most ostextraordinary of all,
said Monk had now expressed his wish
and intention OF marrying the waif he
had rescued from the sea, committed
| TO the care of said Jones, and brought
up in ragged ignorance, innocent of
grace or grammar, on that lonely shore.
Query again, and again, and yet again,
| What the deuce had put the idea into
Monks head; and was there at the bot
L nj, Of
able motive than the one of ordinary
affection for pretty, If uncultiyated,
child?
The more Charles Brinkley pondered
all these questions, the more hopelessly
puzzled he became. But his curiosity,
once reused, could not rest. He deter
mined, If possible, TO get to the midriff
of the mystery. So intent was he on
this object, which fitted in beautifully
with his natural Incidence, that he
at once knocked off painting for the
day, and after breakfasting on the fare
with which Tim had by this time APP
peared, he strolled away toward the sea
| shore.
He had not gone far when he saw APP
preaching him tall figure which he
seemed to recognize. 1t came closer,
and he saw that it was Mr.. Monk, of
Monkshurst.
This time Monk was on foot. He
wore dark dress, with knickerbockers
and heavy shooting boots, and carried
gun. A large dog, of the species
lurcher, followed at his heels.
Brinkley was passing by without any
salutation, when, to his surprise, the
other paused and lifted his hat.
- beg your pardon" he said, we
tional incivility. The fact is-hum-I
mistook you for a--vagrant! l did not
know you were a gentleman"
So staggered was the artist with this
greeting, that he could only borrow the
vocabulary Of Mr.. Toots:
"Oh, it's Of no consequence" he said.
attempting to pass on.
/ But the other persevered.
Il assure you, Mr.-Mr.--(I have not
the pleasure of knowing your name),
that had no desire Of offending you;
and if did so, beg to apologize"
Brinkley looked keenly at the speaker.
His words and manner were greatly at
variance with his looks-even with the
tone Of his voice. Though he smiled
and showed his teeth, q dark frown still
disfigured his brow, and his mouth
twitched nervously as IL he were i'll at
ease.
Regarding him thus closely, Brinkley
saw that he had been somewhat mis-
taken as to his age. lie was consider
ably under fifty years of age, but his
hair was mixed with gray, and his feat
ures strongly marked as with the scars
of old passions. A handsome man, GER
tainly; an amiable one, certainly not!
Yet he had peculiar air of power and
breeding, as Of one accustomed to COM
mand.
Curiosity overcame dislike, and the
young man determined to receive Mr..
Monks overture as amiably as possible.
Il dare say it was mistake" he said.
Gentlemen don't usually travel about |
In caravans"
You are an artist, am informed"
returned Monk.
Something Of that Sort" was the re-
ply. Il paint little for pleasure"
And do you find this neighborhood
suit your purposeY 1t is somewhat fat |
and unpicturesque."
Il rather like it," answered Brinkley. |
1t is pretty In summer; it must be |
spiendid in winter, when the storms be- |
gin, and the uneventful career of our
friend William Jones is varied by the |
excitement of wrecks"
How Monks forehead darkenedl But |
his face smiled still as he said:
1T is not often that shipwrecks occur
now, I am glad to say"
MOP" said Brinkley, dryly. They |
used to be common enough fifteen years
ago?"
Their eyes met, and the eyes of Monk
were full of fierce suspicion.
why fifteen years ago espe llyY
The young man shrugged his shoul-
ders.
Il was told only to-day Of the loss Of
one great ship at that time. Matt told