Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-04-27
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XX1V.
My tale is told. The adventure of the
Caravan has ended. Little more remains
to be said
Monk, of Monkshurst, was not brought
to trial for his iniquities, but he was
sorely enough punished by the loss of his
ill-gotten estate Before the claim of
the founding was fully proved he left
England, never to return. Whether he
is alive or dead | can not tell
William Jones, too, escaped legal pun
ishment. A severer retribution came upon
him in the seizure and dispersal of the
boards in the great cave. So sorely did
he take his loss to heart that be crept to
his bed and had an attack of brain fever.
When he reappeared on the scene of his
old plunderings his intellect was weak
ened. and he showed curious evidences of
imbecility. But the ruling passion remain
ed strong within him. / saw him only
last summer. rambling on the sea shore,
talking incoherently to himself, and
watching the sea in search of wreckage
as of old.
And Matt?
Well, her title to Monkshurst and the
property WIS lully pTOte0 VI lOuk
time she did not realize her good fortune,
but gradually the pleasant truth dawned
upon her in a sunrise of nice dresses,
jewelry, and plenty of money. Chancery
stepped in like a severe foster parent,
and sent her to school, There she remain
ed for several years but Charles Brink
ley. who had first taken in hand the vim
dication of her claims and who never
ceased to be interested in her, saw her
from time to time, and took particular
note OF her improvement in her grammar
and the gentle art of speech.
MATT" he said when they met last
Christmas in London, and when he saw
before him, instead of towsy girl, as
bright and buxom young lady as ever
wore purple raiment and fine linen,
Matt, you are 'growed up at last!'
Matt blushed and hung her head, with
touch of her old manner.
"Yes, | am grown up, as you say.
wonder what William Jones would think
if he saw me now"
And if he noticed these pretty boots,
Matt, and heard you play the piano and
prattle little in French. Upon my
word, it's transformation You always
were a nice girl, though"
do you really think so?' asked Matt
shyly. did you always think SOP"
Certainly"
Even when told you I liked you so
much, and you told me it wouldn't do'?''
1t was Brinkley's turn to blush now.
1t was clear that Matt, despite other
changes. still retained her indomitable
frankness.
Even them" he replied, laughing. But
/ say you were a precocious youngster.
You proposed to me, you know
II know l did," said Matt, "and it
wasn't leap year then"
She added still more slyly:
But it's leap year now"
Their eyes met Both blushed more
and more.
Matt, don't! 1t won't do, you know
Yes, | say so still. You're a rich woman,
and I'm only poor painter. You must
marry some great swell"
But Matt replied:
II shall never marry any one but you y
"You won't? Do you mean it?'
''Of course | do"
He caught her in his arms.
I3y udIlins MdtI yes oiaii caii YOU
by that dear name to the end of the chap
ter. You love me, then? l can't believe
i'll"
ct have loved you," she answered,
laughing, lever since / first came-'to be
took ="
And she rested her head on his shout
der, just as she had done in the Old days,
when she was an unsophisticated cnild OF
Nature.
$50 there's to be wedding after all, y
he said, kissing her. Matt, I've an idea ~
"Yes?"
when we marry, suppose we arrange
to spend the honeymoon ina Caravan J"
(Tyhe End !