The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-06

NO, no; the days Tor finding that is
gone. Matt and me has been on the
shore foraging for II bit of fircwood-
that be all. Put it down, Matt; put 1t
down."
Matt did as she was told; opening
her arms, She threw her load into a
corner of the room; then William Jones
hurried the whole party back into the
kitchen
The men seated themselves on
benches, but Matt moved about the
room to get Il light. The light. as we'll
MS everything else, was living illus
tration of the meanncss of William
Jones' 1t consisted, not of n candle.
but of long rush which had been
gathered from the marshes by Matt
and afterwards dried and dipped in
grease by William Jones. Matt lighted
1T and fixed it in u little iron niche
which was evidently made for the pur-
pose and which was attached to n
table near the hearth. When the work
was finished she threw off her hat and
jacket, retired to the further end of the
hearth and sat down on the floor.
During the whole of this time Mr..
Monk had been watching her gloom
lily; and he had been watched in his
turn by William Jones' At last the
latter spoke:
"Matts growed." said he; ..she's
growed wonderful. Lord bless usl
she's bit changed she is sin TINT
night when you found her down on the
shora Why, her own friends wouldn't
know her."
MIR. Monk stared and frowned.
her frlendS?" he said-"what
fricnds?'
why, them as owns her." continued
William Jones. "If they wasn't all
drowned in the ship what she came
ashore from, they must be somewhere
Mayhap some day they'll find her and
reward me for bringin' her up n good
gal-that's what allus tell her"
SO that's what You always tell her,
do you? returned Monk, grimlv
Then you're fool for your pains
The girls got no friends-haven,t
told you that beforc?"
Certainly You have, Mr.. Monk" re-
turned William Jones, meekly; but
look ye now, | thinls"-
You've no right to think" thun-
dcred Monk; you're not paid for
thinking; you're paid for keeping the
girl, and what more do You want?
Matt" he continued, in softer tone.
come to me-"
But Matt didn't hear-or atany rate.
did not heed, for she made no move
mcnt. Then Monk, gazing intcntly at
her, gave vent to the same remark that
William Jones had done few hours
before.
Where have you been to-day" he
HAY l,a+
Again Matt hung her head and was
Silent Monk repeated his question.
and. seeing that he was determined to
nave an answer, she threw up her head
dcfiantly and said, with tone of pride
in her voice:
II put it on to be took"
TO be took?" repeated Monk.
YES" returned Matt; 'to have NV
likeness took. There be painter chap
mere that lives in cart; he's took it,
1t was curious to note the changes in
Mr.. Monks face. at first he tried to
appear amiablc: then his face gradual
~ darkcned into II look of angry sus-
picion. Matt never once Withdrew her
eyes from him-his very presence
seemed to arouse all that was bad in
her, and she glanced at him through
her tangled locks in much the same
manner as shaggy terrier puppy might
gaze at a bull which it would fain
attack, but feared on account of its
superior strength.
Matt" said Mr.. Monk again, come
here"
This time she obeyed; she rose slow
ly from her seat and went reluctantly
to his side.
Matt. look me in the face" he said.
do you know who this painter lisp"
Matt shook her head.
"llow many times have YOU seem
him."
'"Twice"
"And what has he said to you?"
"a lot o things"
Tell me one thing"
lie asked me who my mother was,
and told him I hadn't got hone"
Mr. Monks face once more grew
black as night
80" he said "polsing and prying
and asking questions thought as
much. Hes scoundrclly vagabond."
NO, he amt" said Matt, bluntly
Matt, my girl" said Mr. Monk, talk
ing no notice Of her interruption, Il
want you to promise me something"
what is it?"
Not to go near that painter again.
Matt shook her head.
'Shan't PROMISE" she said, "cause
shall go. My likeness amt took vet
he takes a time. he does I'm going to
put them things on tomorrow and be
took again"
For Il moment the light in his eyes
looked dangerous. then he smiled and
patted her on the chccl:-at which