Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-03-23
CHAPTER XIV.
A TALE
OF A CARAVAN

1I1AI Ell Alf-
The Young man Of the Caravan was
now thoroughly convinced that one of
two things must be true; either that
William Jones had been instructed to keep
a watch upon him, or that he, William
Jones' had a secret of some sort which
he was anxious not to have revealed. At
ter both suggestions had been duly
weighed, the second was accepted as the
most likely; and it forthwith received the
young mans consideration
If there was secret, he argued, it was
IN some way connected firstly, with
William Jones' worldly prosperity sec
ondly. with the reports of treasure hid
den in times past among the sand hills
or the dangerous caverns of the sea. Was
ii possible, after all, that those reports
were true. and that in some mysterious
manner Jones had become acquainted
with the hiding place? 1t seemed very
improbable for many reasons, one of the
chief being the mans extreme poverty,
which appeared to touch the very edge of
sheer starvation.
A little inquiry in the neighborhood,
however, ELECTED the information that
Jones, despite his abject penury, was GER
tainiy well-to-do, and had money in the
bank of the neighboring market town ;;
that the ruined village of Aberglyn be-
longed almost entirely to him. and that,
In short, he was by nature and habit
misery person, who would prefer hoard
ing up whatever he possessed to purchas
ing with it the commonest necessaries Of
life
An old coast guard, whom Brinkley
kha rfa
chief informant.
Don't you believe him, sir" said this
old salt, "if he tells you he's poor. He's
a shark, William Jones is, and couldn't
own up even to his own father. It's my
belief he's got gold hidden somewhere
among them sand hills, let alone what
he's got in the savings bank. All, he's
a artful one, is William Jones'"
Brinkley had said nothing of his own
private suspicious, but had merely intro
duced in a general way the subject of
Jones worldly position. Further CONVEX
sation with Tim, who had made a few
struggling acquaintance in the district,
corroborated the other testimony. The
young man became more and more con-
WINGED that William Jones was worth
studying.
Matt had not turned up that morning.
Instead of looking after her, Brinkley
took another stroll toward the vicinity
Of the Devils Caldron. He had not gone
far before he discovered that he was
watched again. The figure of William
Jones followed in the distance, but keep
ing him we'll in view.
1t was certainly curious.
He walked over to the cliffs and looked
down at the scene of yesterdays bathing
adventure. A strong wind was blowing,
and the waves were surging up the rocks
with deafening roar and foamy spume.
The place looked very ugly, particularly
near the Caldron. All the passage was
churned to milky white. and the sound
from beneath was, to quote an old simile,
like the roar of innumerable chariots.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw
the head of William Jones eagerly watch
ing. the body being hidden behind an in
tervening rock
Strange - he reflected my preda-
tory friend can't keep his treasure, if he
possesses any, down in that watery gulf
Yet whenever | come near 1t his manner
tells me that l am warm, as they say
In the game of hide-and-seek"
To test the matter little further, he
set off OH brisk walk along the cliffs,
leaving the Caldron behind. He found as
he had suspected, that he was no longer
followed. Returning as he came, and re-
Stunning his old position, he saw William
Jones Immediately reappear.
That day he discovered no clew TO the
mystery, nor the next, nor the next again,
though on each day he went through
similar performance. Strange to say.
Matt had not put in an appearance, and
for reasons of his own he had thought it
better not TO seek her.
On the morning of the third day-a
dark. chilly morning, after a night of rain
Tim put his head into the Caravan.
where his master was seated at his easel.
and grinned delightedly.
MIR Charles, She's come sir"
"Whc has Gomez" cried Brinkley.
''The lady. your honor to have her
parlor?"
But as he spoke Matt pushed him aside
and entered She wore her best clothes
bur looked little pale and anxious,
Brinkley thought, greeting her with ia
miliar nod.
so you've come at last? Tim, get out.
you rascal | thought you had given me
mp"
He assumed coldness, though he felt
Il not, for he had made up his mind not
TO encourage" the young person.
Il couldn't come before; they wouldn't
let me. But last night William Jones he
didn't come home, and l broke open the
box and took out my clothes. and ran
straight of here"
Her face fell as she proceeded. for she
could not fail to notice the GOODNESS of
the young mans greeting.
Well since you have come We'll get
to work" said Brinkley. Its chilly and
damp outside, so Wen remain here in
shelter"
Matt took of her hat. and then pro-
ceeded to divest herself of her coarse
jacket. revealing for the first time the
low-necked silk dress beneath. Meantime
the young man placed the sketch in posi-
ton. Turning presently, he beheld Mats
transformation.
Old and shabby Is the dress was torn
here and there. aud revealing beneath
glimpses of coarse stockings and clumsy
boots. il became her wonderfully. As a
result of much polishing with soap and
water her face shone again. and her arms
and neck were white as snow. Thus at
tired Alatt looked no longer a long. sham
bling girl, but tall, bright, respondent
young lady.
liz was no use. Brinkley could not con-
ceal his admiration. MATHS arms alone
were enough to make a painter wild with
delight.
why. Matt. you look positively magni-
hcent / had no idea YOU were so pretty"
The girl blushed with pleasure.
The Young man worked away for
good hour and half, at the end of which
time he put the finishing touch to the
sketch.
Look. Matt - ne cried
Matt examined the picture with uncon-
cealed delight 1t was herself. little
idealixed. bur quite characteristic. and