Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-03-09
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CHAPTER x.-(continued.)


ethereal individual of his dreams but for
all that, her smile was like sunshine, and
her eyes as roguish and friendly ever.
Conscious of his dream he blushed, while
greeting her with friendly nod.
well, Matt? Here again, en-" be
raid adding to himself This won't do
at ali, my gentleman IL 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 thought
fully for some minutes, she exclaimed alb
ruptly
William Jones don't like you neither
No more does William Jones father"
Dear me" said the young man. I'm
very sorry for that"
He says-WilIiam Jones says-you're
come here prying and spying. Do your
My dear Matt" replied the young man
lightly, IL come here as an humble artist,
seeking subjects for my surprising genius
to work upon. If il is prying and spying
to attempt to penetrate into the beauties
of Nature-both scenic, animal and hu-
mani fear / must plead guilty but
otherwise"
She interrupted him with an inpatient
exclamation, accompanied by a hitch of
her pretty shoulders.
Don't talk like that for then / know
you're chatting Talk serious, and I'll tell
yeu something"
''All right. I'll be serious as parson.
Go ahead -
''Mr. Monk, of Monkshurst, wants to
marry me. He said so to William Jones'"
The information was delivered with as
sumed carelessness; but after it was CIV
en-, Matt watched the effect of it upon
the hearer with precocious interest Brink
ley opened his eyes in very natural amaze
ment.
"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 matri-
mony in such a connection is-excuse my
frankness- -preposteressS sople don't
marry little girls"
But Matt did not consent to this propo-
sition at all.
II amt a little girl she affirmed with
a decisive nod of the head. I'm sixteen,
and I'm growed up
The young man was amused, and could
not refrain from laughing heartily But
the girls brow darkened as she watched
him. and her under lip fell as if she would
like to cry.
eff you go on laughing she said, I'll
run straight back home, and never come
here no more
'Well, I'll try to keep my countenance;
but the idea is very funny. Really, now?
Don't you see it in that light yourself?'
Certainly Matt did not, to judge from
the expression of her face She turned
her head away; and Brinkley saw, TO his
surprise, that tear was rolling down her
cheek
Come, Matt he said kindly, you
mustn't take this so seriously. Tell me
all about it--there's good girl"
II will-if you won't laugh"
II won't then-there"
"Weu. when | was lying In my bed
this morning / heard William Jones a
talking 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 old, and
I'll marry her. and William Jones said,
Mr. Monk: what can you be a-thinking
about? Matt amt Old enough, and what's
more she amt fit to be the wife of a fine
gentleman Then Mr.. Monk he stamped
with his foot. like he does when he's in a
passion, and he said, says he, My minds
made up. William Jones. and I'm going
10 marry her before the years cut: and
] don't care how soon.' Then | heard
them moving about and | crept back to
bed and pretended to be fast asleep
The young mans astonishment increas-
ed. There could be no doubt of the We
racity and sincerity of the speaker; and
the story she told- was certainly puz-
cling. Brinkley made up his mind, with
out much reflection, that If Mr.. Monk
wanted to go through the marriage cere-
mony with that child, he had some spe-
cial and mysterious reason for so doing
unless-whch was scarcely possibss--he
was of sentimental disposition, aud, IN
the manner of many men advanced toward
middle age, was enamored of MATHS youth
and inexperience.
TELL me, Matt" said Brinkley, after
bordering the matter for some minutes
''tell me how long have you known this
Mr.. Monk
Ever since l come ashore" was the
reply.
"Humph lis he well-to-do ?-rich?'
Matt nodded emphatically.
"All Aberglyn belongs to him." she
said land the woods up there. and the
farms, and the horses up at the big house,
Rnd-every thing
And though he is such great person.
be is very friendly with William Jones?''
'Oh. yes" answered Matt: land think
William Jones is afraid OF him-some-
times but he gives William Jones money
for keeping me"
"0h, indeed He gives him money.
does he? That's rather kind of him, you
know"
At this Matt shook her head with great
decision. but said nothing. Greatly puz-
rled. the young man looked at her. and
unused. 1t was clear that there was
mystery somewhese. aud he was getting
interested. Presently he invited Matt TO
sit down on the steps of the Caravan, and
be placed himself at her side He was
too absorbed~in speculation to notice how
the girl colored and frightened as they sat
there together.
You have often told ME that you came
ashore" he said. after long pause. II
should like to know something OF how it
happened | don't exactly know what
this coming ashore means. Can you ex-
plains"
Il don't remember" she replied; "but
knew there was ship and il went to
pieces, and come to shore in a boat. or
something"
Il see-and William Jones found your"
''Mr Monk he found me. and gave me
TO William Jones TO keep"
Il begin to understand. or course. you
were very little--s baby, in fact"
William Jones says | could just talk
some words. and thai when he took me
home | called him Papa"
What was the name Of the ship: Have
you ever heard:"
"No' said Matt.
did you come ashore all alone? 1t is
scarcely possible -
Il come ashore by myself All the rest
was drownded."