Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-02-09
Matt
A TALE
OF A CARAVAN
Robert Buchanan
-#s~i@-
CHAPTER III.-(Continued. ,

4oOAOAbi9.
Il replied that could even aspire tc
that accomplishment, by which 1 under
stood her to mean portrait painting, 1,
need were. She gave a quiet nod of sat
isfaction.
There was a painter chap came to
Aberglyn last summer, and he painted
William Jones'
Indeed?' / said, with an assumption
Of friendly interest
Yes, wanted him to paint me, but
10 wouldn't. He painted William Jones
father, though. along Of William Jones
This with an air Of unmistakable dis
gust and recrimination. l looked at the
girl more observantly. II had never DC
CURED to me till that moment nat she
would make a capital picture-just the
sort Of study which would fetch fair
prios n the market. l adopted her free
and easy manner, which was Contagious,
and sat down on the grass opposite to
her.
tell you what 1t is, Matt ] said
Familiarity, IN paint you though the 9TH
er painter chap wouldn't
You willY she cried, blushing with
delight.
Certainly; and very nice portrait /
think you'll make. Be good enough to
take off your hat, that may have a bet
ter look at you.'
She obeyed me at once, and threw the
clumsy thing down on the grass beside
her. Then | saw that her head was COW
cred with short black curls, clinging
round bold white brow unfreckled by
the sun. She glanced at me sidelong,
laughing, and showing her white teeth.
Whatever her age was, she was quite old
enough to be u coquette
Promptly as possible l put the ques-
ton: You have not told me how old you
are
Fifteen she replied, without hesita-
ton.
should have taken you to be at
least year older
"She shook her head.
It's fifteen year come Whitsuntide,'
she explained, since 1 come ashore
Although | was not little curious to
know what this coming ashore meant,
felt that ali my conversation had been
categorical TO monotony and determined,
therefore, to reserve further inquiry until
another occasion. Observing that my new
friend was now looking at the Caravan
with considerable interest, l asked her
IL she knew what 1t was, and II she had
ever seen anything like 1t before She
replied In the negative, though / think
ehe had q tolerably good guess as to the
Caravans uses. / thought this good
opportunity to show my natural polite
ness Would she like to look at the In
terror? She said she would, though with
out exhibiting much enthusiasm.
II thereupon led the way up the steps
and into the vehicle. Matt followed; but,
80 soon as she caught glimpse of the in
terror, stood timidly on the threshold.
What is there In the atmosphere of
house, even the rudest, which places the
visitor at a disadvantage as compared
with the owner? Even animals feel this,
and dogs especially, when visiting strange
premises, exhibit most AFFECT humility.
But | must not generalize. The bearings
of this remark, to quote my friend Cap
tain Cutie, lie in the application Of it.
Matt for moment was awed.
e'Come In, Matt; come in,' l said.
"She came in by slow degrees and l
noticed, for the first time-seeing how
utdI ucE nat was " lhC EOOl-ludl cut
was unusually tall | then did the hon
ors of the place showed her my sleeping
my culinary implements,
everything that l thought would interest
her. l offered her the armchair, or turn
ed-up bedstead; but she preferred stool
ghich sometimes used for my feet, and,
sitting down upon it, looked round her
with obvious admiration.
Should you like to live In a house
like thisf' asked, encouragingly.
"She shook her head with decision.
"'Why notY | demanded.
''She did not exactly know why, or at |
any rate, could not explain. Wishing |
to interest and amuse her, handed her |
a portfolio of my sketches, chiefly in PEN |
ell and pen-in-ink, but a few in water |
colors. Her manner changed at once, and |
she turned them over with little cries OF |
delight. 1t was clear that Matt had a |
taste for the beautiful In ert, but her chief |
attraction was for pictures representing |
the human face or figure.
Among the sketches she found a cray |
on drawing of an antique and blear-eyed /
gentleman in a skull cap, copied from
some Rembrandtish picture { had seen
abroad.
~ knew who this is she exclaimed.
It's William Jones' fatherl'
81 assured her on my honor that VIII
liam Jones father was not personally |
known to me. but she seemed a little |
Presently she rose to go.
81 can't stop no longer she explained.
I've got to so mp to Monkshurst for Will
lam Jones'
fMonkshurst? Is that where the DO
Ute Mr.. Monk residesT
"Yes; up in the wood she replied.
With a grimace expressive of no little dis
Ike.
rs Mr.. Monk friend Of yoursf
"Her answer was very decided mega
dve. Then, slouching to the door, she
swung herself down to the ground.
and stood on the threshold, look
ns down at her.
Don't forget that I'm TO paint your
picture / said When will you come
>ackF
Tomorrow, may be-
1 shall expect you. Good-hy.'
'Good-by. MASTER she returned. reach
ng up to shake hands.
II watched her as she walked away
Onward the road, and noticed that she
ook bold strides like boy. On reaching
he road she looked back and laughed,
han she drew herself together. and be
'an running like a young deer, with little
Vt nothing of her former clumsiness, IN
II abe disappeared among the sand hills.
''Thursday.-This morning Just after
when / had entered the Cara
'an to prepare my materials for the days
,ainting. Tim appeared at the door with a
lcrrid grin.
There's young lady asking for you
le said.
II had forgotten for the roment my APP
ointment OF the day before. and. when
leaped from the Caravan. I perceived.
standing close by. with her back TO me.
aid her face toward the lake. the figure
{ young woman. At srst I failed TO
IDENTIFY her, for she wore black hat and
white feather, cloth jacket, and a