The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-12-20
CHAPTER xv.-coNrrSuED.

CHAPTER Xv.-CorTINUED.
Doubtless. in any more populous To-
cality the affair would have occasioned
no little scandal, and many ominous
shakings OF the head, but the inhab-
itants were few and far between, and
had little or no time for idle gossiping.
The coast guardsmen and their wives
were the only individuals who exhib-
tied any interest, and even their ex-
citement was faint and evanescent,
like the movements of a fish in shall
low and unwholesome pool.
But the really extraordinary part OF
the whole affair was the conduct OF
Matt herself. Apparently quite cured
of her former repugnance to union
with Monk, she made no objection
whatever to the performance OF the
ceremony, and laughed merrily when
she was informed that tho day was
fixed. Monk, in his grim, taciturn
way, was jubilant. He came to and
fro constantly, and assumed the man
ners Of lover. Had he been less bent
on one particular object, twothings
might have struck him as curious:
(l) That Matt, though she had con-
sented to marry him, steadfastly re-
fused to wear his ring or accept any
other presents; and (2) that sho still
shrank, with persistent and ill-dis-
Ruised dislike, from his caressos.
II was now late in tho month OF
August, and the weather was broken |
by troublous winds and a fretful
moon. For several weeks William
Jones, in his mortal terror, had re-
Trained from visiting the cave; he had
never set his foot therein, indeed,
since the night Of the assassination.
At last he could bear the suspense no
longer. Suppose some one else had
discovered this treasure, and robbed
him? Suppose some subterranean
change had obliterated the landmarls
or submerged the cavernl Suppose
thousand dreadful thingsl Tired OF
miserable supposition, William de-
termined, despite his terror, TO make
sure.
So late one windy and rainy night
he stole forth with his unlit lantern
and fought his way In the teeth OF
half n gale to the familiar place, which
he found, however, with some little
difficulty. He was neither supersti.
tious nor imaginative, but throughout
the journey he was prey % nameless
terrors. Every gust Of wind went
through his heart like knife; every
sound of wind or sea made the same
heart stop and listen. Only supreme
greed and miserly anxiety led him on.
But at last he gained the cave, within
which there was sound as Of clashing
legions, clarions shrieking, drums
beating, all the storm and stress OF the
awful waters clashing on the cliffs
without, and boiling with unusual
screams through the black slit be-
tween the cave and the DEVILS Cal
dron.
Trembling, with pcrspiration stand
ing in great beads on his face, he
searched the cave for the corpse OF the
murdered man, expecting to find II
well advanced in decomposition
Strange to say, however, it had dis
appeared.
William Jones was ut once relieved
and alarmed-rclicved because he was
spared horrible experience; alarmed
because nc could not account for thu
disappenrance. A little reflection
however, suggested that one OF thos
tidal waves so common on the coas
might have risen well up into tn
cavern, washed away the body fron
It's place on the shingle and carried
away In the direction Of the Caldror
"In which case" he reflected, "ther
coast guard chaps would find II som
day among the rocks or on the Shor
and think IL had been drowned In tn
way Of natur'."
Satisfied that everything else wa
undlsturbed, he retired as hastily
possible, sealed up the entrance TO th
cavern and ran hastily home.
The morning of the marriage came
n fine sunny morning. An open dol
cart belonging TO Monk, and driven
one of his servants, stood ut Willia
Jones door, and close to II Hgl
country cart, borrowed by villa
Jones himself from q ncighborir
farmer. The population, consisting
an aQed coast guardsman, two Goa
Suardsmens wives and half q dozC
de1ectcu cnllurcn, cro"uou IA 'ioA'
the cottage.
The bridegroom, attired in dece
black, with flower In his buttonhol
stood waiting impaticntly In the ga
den. Despite the festive occasion !
had gloomy and hang-dog appel
ance. Presently there emerged fro
The door william Jones, attired In
drowned scaman's suit several si7
too large for him, and wearing chi
ney-pot hat and a white rosette' Lea
ing on his arm was Matt, dress
In q dress Of blue silk, newly made
her, out OF damaged materials suppl
by Jones, by one OF the coastegus
women, a light, straw hat with b
ribD9ns stoaria ~, and lieht Y
VI A