The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-09-09

| to hard work, qua work, had not in
variably interfered
No sooner was he left to his own
maditations, which the faithful Tim
(vvho had fortunately been away on a
forsging expedition during the episode
described in my last chapter) was not
at hand to disturb, than our young
gentleman began puzzling his brains
| over the curious information she had
given him. The facts, which he had
no reason to question, ranged them
selves under four heads:
1) Matt had been cast ashore fifteen
years previously, at an age when she
could pronounce the word papa" 1t
followed, as a rational argument, that
J she had been, say, one year old, or
whereabouts.
(2) Mr.. Monk had found her, and
given 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 exhibiting So much care
for the child, unless he was a person of
wonderfully benevolent disposition,
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to believe?
(S1 Said Monk and said Jones were
on very familiar terms, which was
curious, seeing the difference in their
social positions. Query again: Was
there any private reason, any mys-
terious knowledge, any secret shared
In common, which bound their in
terests together?
~ Last and most extraordinary of
all, Mr.. Monk had now expressed his
wish and intention of marrying the
wait he had rescued from the sea,
committed to the care of said Jones
and brought up in ragged ignorance,
innocence 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 bottom of it any deep
er and more conceivable motive than
the one of ordinary affection for 3
pretty, if uncultivated, child?
The more Charles Brinkley pondered
all these questions the more hope
lessly puzzled he became. But
his curiosity, once reused, could not
rest. He determined, if possible, to
get to the nlidriff 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 break
fasting on the fare with which Tim
had by this time appeared, he strolled
away towards the seashore.
He had not gone far when he saw
approaching him a 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 knickerbock-
ers and heavy shooting boots, and car
ried gun. A large dog, of the species
| lurcher, followed at his heels.
Brinkley was passing by without
any salutation, when, to his surprise,
other paused and lifted his hat.
Il beg your pardon" he said. eve
| have met once before; and think l
have to apologize to you for uninten-
tional incivility. The fact is-hum-I
mistook you for a-vagrant! l did not
know you were gentleman"
SO staggered was the artist at this
greeting that he could only borrow
the vocabulary of Mr.. Toots:
ooh, it's of no consequence" he said,
attempting to pass on.
But the other persevered.
81 assure you, Mr.-Mr.-Q 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 speak
er. His words and manner were great
ly at variance with his looks-even
with the tone of his disfgured brow,
and his mouth twitched nervously as
| if he were i'll at ease.
Regarding him thus closely, Brinkley
saw that he had been somewhat mis-
| taken as to his age. He was consider
ably under fifty years of age, but his
hair was mixed with gray and his
features strongly marked as with scars
of old passions. A handsome man, GER
! tainly; an amiable one, certainly not!
| Yet he had peculiar air and power OF
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
81 dare say it was mistake, % he said.
s'Gentlemen don't usually travel about
| in caravans"
.You are an artist, l am informed, :"
| returned Monks.
something of that sort" was the re-
ply. 81 paint little for pleasure.
''And do you find this neighborhood
suit your purpose? 1t is somewhat fat
| and unpicturesque."
ct rather like it, answered Brink
lev. s:It is pretty in summer; it must
be splendid in winter when the storms
begin and the uneventful career of our
| friend, William Jones, is varied by the
! excitement of wrecks
How Monks forehead darkened. But
his face smiled still as he said:
1T is not often that shipwrecks oc-
cur now. am glad to say
NO." said Brinkley, dryly. "They
used to be common enough fifteen years
ago.
Their eyes met and the eyes of Monk