The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-11-01

unlike the ethereal individual Of his
dreams; but for all that her smile was
like sunshine and her eyes as roguish
and friendly as ever.
Conscious Of his dream he blushed,
while greeting her with friendly nod.
"Well, Matt? Here again, ehP" he
said; adding to himself: This won't
do at all, my gentleman; II the young
person continues to appear daily, the
caravan will have to move on"
Matt had evidently something on her
mind. After looking at Brinkley
thoughtfully for some minutes, she ex-
claimed, abruptly:
civilian Jones don't like you, neith-
er. No more does William Jones'
father"
Dear me-" said the young man,
"I'm very sorry for that"
"He says--William Jones says
you're come here prying and spying.
Do your ta. e
"My dear Matt replied the young
man, lightly, II come here as q humble
artist, seeking subjects for my surpass-
ing genius to work upon. II it is pry-
ing and spying to attempt to penetrate
into the beauties Of nature-both
scenic, animal and human--I fear
must plead guilty; but otherwise"
She interrupted him with an i'm
patient exclamation, accompanied by
hitch Of her pretty shoulders.
Don't talk like that; for then know
you're chatting. Talk serious, and then
I'll tell you something"
GAN right. I'll be serious as par
son. Go aheadr'
"Mr. Monk, of Monkshurst, wants
to marry me. He said so to William
Jones"
The information was delivered with
assumed carelessness; but after It was
given Matt watched the effect of II
upon the hcarer with precocious inter
est. Brinkley opened his eyes in very
natural amazement.
Come, come, Matt; you're joking"
mo, amt. It's true"
'But you're only a child-a very
nice child, ] admit-but to talk of holy
matrimony in such q connection is
excuse my neutrality-suspicious.
People don't marry little girls"
But Matt did not consent TO this
proposition at all.
81 amt little girl" she affirmed,
with decisive nod Of the head. "I'm
al ~ an1 If,,, es,-A,.,a1
The young man was amused, and
could not refrain from laughing hearth
ly. But the girls brow darkened as she
watched him, and her under lip fell as
II she would like to cry.
IF you so on laughing" she said,
"Ill run straight back home, and never
come here no more"
"Well, I'll try TO keep my counte-
nance but the idea is very funny. Real
ly now? Don't you sec It in that light,
yourself?"
Certainly Matt aid not, to Judge from
the expression of her face. She turned
her head away, and Brinkley saw to
his surprise that q tear was rolling
down her cheek.
Come, Matt" he said, kindly, "you
mustn't take this 50 seriously. Tell
me all about it-there's good girl"
~ will-if you won't laugh"
II won't, then, there"
well, when was lying In my bed |
this morning heard William Jones
stalking TO some one. He thought |
was asleep, but got up and listened |
and heard Mr.. Monks voice; and he |
said, says he: She's over sixteen years |
Did, and I'll marry herr and William |
Jones said: Lord, Mr.. Monk; what |
,an you be a-thinking about? Matt |
lin't old enough, and what's more she |
lint fit to be the wife Of fine gentle
man. Then Mr.. Monk he stamped his |
loot, like he does when he's In pas
'ion, and he said, says he: My minds |
made up, William Jones, and I'mgoing |
20 marry her before the years out;
md ! don't care how SOON Then I |
heard them moving, about, and crept |
pack to bed and pretended to be fast
lsleep."l .\E \ n N.. y |
The young mans astonishment In
,reased. There could be no doubt of |
.he veracity and sincerity OF the
speaker; and the story she told was
,ertainly puzzling. Brinlkley made up
his mind without much reflection that