The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-27

Il
nation that his lifelong secret had
been discovered by one man, and
might, sooner or later, be discovered
by others. He did not put implicit
faith even in Monk; it was his nature
to trust nobody where money was con-
| cerncd.
| AS to returning back to the cave un-
til he had quite recovered his cquanim-
ity, that was out of the question.
Even by daylight he avoided the spot
with holy horror. Only in his dreams,
which were dark and troubled, did he
visit ito see the face of the muir
dered man in the darkness, and the
hand of the murdered man pointing ut
him with cold, dccaying finger.
| The day after the murder he had
been greatly unsettled by visit from
| Tim Linncy, who demanded news of
his master and said that he had not re-
turned to the caravan all night Tim
seemed greatly troubled, but gave vent
to no very violent ebullitions of grief
| When he was done Matt sat by the fire.
side and looked long and lScenly at
| William Jones.
| wv hat are You staring at?" cried he
| hdgcting uneasily under her gaze
"Nowt," said Matt; Il were only
wondering
| Then don't go wondering" ex-
claimed the good man, rather incon-
| SlStently. You mind your own bust
ness and don't be Il fool" And he
turned testify and gazcd at the fire.
But Matt, whose eyes were full of a
| curious light, was not to be abaShed
"Ain't you we'll, William Jones?" she
asked.
I'm well enough am"
| ITS queer. amt it, that the painter
| chap never come home?"
'llow should lSnow?" growlcd Will
liam. ''Maybe he's gone back where
he come from"
"Or maybe he's drowndcd? Or may
be summat else has happened to him?"
suggested Matt.
"Never you mind him, my gal. He's
all right, never fear. And if he amt
it's no affair o yours, or mine neither
You go along out and play"
Matt went out as directed, and it
was some hours before she returned.
She found her guardian seated in his
old place by the fire. looking at vacan-
cy. He started violently as She entered
and made a clutch ut the rude piece of
L.
BE it you, Matt? Lor, how YOU
| startled me! were-I were-takinr
! dozc."
I've been up yondcr," said Matt.
up whereof
up to the painter chaps cart. Tie
amt come back. and the man is
scarchin' 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. taking box of lu-
offers from a ledge, began to procure a
| light, with the view of ignitinp the
rushlight fixed to the table. But in a
moment William blew out the match
and snatchcd the box from her.
''What are you dom off" he cried.
wasting the matches, as if they
cost nowt You'll come to the worlSus'
afore you're done"
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;
ncr eyes were red, too, as if she had
been crying.
|
| ed William, who had left his usual seat
and was Standing at the door
''Nowt," said Matt, wiping her eve
lids with the back of her hand.
Don't You tell no lies You've hcerd
| summat? Stop! What's that there I'M
der Your arm?n
All at once he had perceived that She
carried large roll of something
| in
from her and opened it ncrvously. 1t
was the crayon portrait of herself ex-
ccutcd by the defunct artist.
'Who gave you this hcre?" cried
William Jones, trembling more than
ever.
"Tm."
who's hc?"
Him as come looking artcr his mas
ter The painter chap amt round and
now Tins goin' away in the cart to
tell his friends. And he give me this
my pictur'; he give it to me to keep.
Ills master said were to have it; and
l mean TO keep it now he's dcad.'
William Jones handed back the pic
turc, and seemed relieved, indeed.
when it was out of his hands.
"Dcad?' he muttered, not meeting
Mats eyes, but looking right out to
sea. "Who told You he was dcad?"
Matt did not reply, but gazed at Will
liam so long and SO signi ficantly 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 the door, and
there was Monk, of Monkshurst 1t