The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-12-13

tell his friends. And he give me this
my pictur'; he give it to me to keep.
His master said | were to have 1t; and
mean to keep it now he's deadw
William Jones handed back the pic
ture, and seemed relieved, indeed,
when 1t was out of his hands.
"DeadP" he muttcred, not meeting
Matt's eyes, but looking right out to
sea. "Who told you he was dcad?r
! Matt did not reply, but gazed at VIII
liam 80 long and so significantly that
the man, conscious of her scrutiny,
turned and plunged into the darkness
of his dwelling.
An hour later loud voice summoned
him forth. He went TO tho door, and
there was Monk, Of Monlsshurst. 1t
was the first time they had met since
they parted on the night of tho MUIR
dei. Monk was dressed In dark sum
mcr suit, and looked unusually spiclS
and span.
"Where's the girl?" he cried, after q
whispered colloquy of some minutes.
"Matt, where are yon?'
In answer to the call Matt appeared
at the door. No sooner did she per-
coive Monk than she trcmbled violent
ly and grew very pale.
Come here, Matt" he said. with an
insinuating smile. ''Sce! I've brought
something for you-somc thing pretty
for you to wear"
As he spoke he drew from his waist
coat pocket n small gold ring, set with
turquoise stones. But Matt still trem-
bled, and shrank away.
~ don't wantsit!-I sha'n't wear it,"
she cried.
"Nonsensc, Mattr said Monk. why,
it's ring fit for lady. Come, let me
put it on your finger"
So great seemed hcr 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 1t only re-
mained 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 loath-
ing, she rushed into the cottage.
William Jones walked over and
picked up the ring, while Monk stood
scowling darlxly after the fugitive.
"What the devil ails the girl?" cried
the latter, with a fierce oath, pocket
ing the present.
Dunno. She's never been the same
since-since the painter chap went
missing. I'm afecred he turned the
gals head"
Hell turn no more heads" NUT
tered 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 IL, master7 When you
spoke on II fust thought you was jols-
Ing"
'Then you were fool for your
pains. She's old enough and bold
enough and vixenish enough; but I'll
tame her. ! tell you there must be no
delay. MY minds made up, and III
wait no longer" l
Sinking their voices they continued
10 talk together for some time. Now
Matt was crouching close 10 the thres-
hold, and had heard every word OF the
above conversation, and much that
followed IT, When Monk walked away
and disappeared, leaving William
Jones ruminant ut the broken gate,
she suddenly reappeared.
Curionsly 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 coast.
guard station. Remounting, he rode
rapidly away through the sand hills ip
the direction of the lake. As he ap
proached the spot OF the old encamp
tnert; fhe saw ithat-'the carayan had
ff4,lA - 2 - ~ >. fftsh-"
,s,.qe rode on thoughtfully til hs
gained. the highway. when. he put hia.
horse 1sEs iinate erepid trgt, Just bsfoEs hi
sfts7 7AHl