Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-02-23
CHAPTER VII.

Ihe men seated themselves on benches !:
but Matt moved about the room to get .
light The light, as well as everything
elsa, was living illustration of the mean
nssG Of William Jones. 1t consisted, not
OF candle, but Of long rush, which
had been gathered from the marshes by
Matt, and afterward dried and dipped in
grease by William Jones. Matt lighted
1t and fixed it in little iron niche which
was evidently made for the purpose, and
which was attached to a table near the
hearth. When the work was finished, she
threw OF her hat and jacket, retired to
the further end of the hearth, and sat
down on the floor.
During the whole of this time Mr..
Monk had been watching her gloomily !;
and he had hssn watched in his turn by
William Jones. At last the latter spoke ::
Mats grow ed" said he ''she's grow
ed wonderful. She's bit changed she is
since that night when you found her down
on the shore. Why, her own friends
wouldn't know her ~
Mr.. Monk started and frowned.
Her friends?" he said - what
friends?"
Why, them as owns her., continued
William Jones. IF they wasn't all
drownded in the ship what she came
ashore from, they must be somewhere
Mayhap some day they'll find her; and
reward me for bringin' her up a good
gal-thats what | allus tell her"
So that's what YOU always tell her. do
your returned Monk, grimly. ''Then
you're fool for your pains The girls
got NO friends-haven't l told you that
beforeY'
Certainly you have. Mr. Monk" re-
turned William Jones meekly; but look
ye now. think"
You've no right TO think" Numbered
Monk you're not paid for thinking
you're paid for keeping the girl. and what
more do you want? Matt, che continued.
In softer tone. come TO me-"
But Matt didn't hear-or at any rate.
did not heed; for she made no movement.
Then Monk, gazing intentiy at her, gave
vent to the same remark as William Jones
had done few hours before.
Where have you been to-day" he said.
ito have on that frock 2"
Again Matt hung her head and was ST.
lent. Monk repeated his question: and.
seeing that he was determined to have an
answer she threw up her head defantly,
ana SAID, with ton of pride in her voice
i put it on TO be took
TO be took?" repeated Monk.
Yes, returned Matt; ''to have my
likeness took. There is painter chap
here that lives in a cart hes took it."
1t was curious to note Che changes in
Mr.. Monks face. At first Ne tried TO an
pear amiable; then his face gradually
darkened into look of angry suspicion.
Matt never once withdrew her eyes from
him-his very presence seemed to rouse
all that was bad in her; and she gIared
at him through her tangled locks in much
une same manner as shaggy terrier
puppy might gaze at bull which II would
rain attack, but feared on account of it's
superior strength.
Matt said Mr.. Monk again, "come
here"
This time she obeyed she rose slowly
from her seat and went reluctantly TO
his side.
Matt, look me in the face" he said
DO you know who this painter is?"
Matt shook her head
How many times have you seen hi.a?"
twice"
And what has he said 10 youy"
"a lot of things"
Tell me one thing"
He asked me who my mother was.
and told him hadn't got none"
Mr.. Monks face once more grew black
as night.
80" he said, "poking and prying and
asking questions. l thought as much.
He's scoundrelly vagabond"
mo, he amt" said Matt, buntly.
Matt my GIRL" said Mr.. Monk. taking
no notice of her interruption, II want you
to promise me something"
What is it?'
Not to go near that painter again ~
Matt shook her head.
''Shan't promise" she said. because
shall go. My likeness aint took yet-he
takes time, he does. I'm going to put
them things on tomorrow and be took
again"
For moment the light in bis eyes look
ed dangerous, then he smiled and matted
her cheek-at which caress she shrank
away.
What's the matter?" he asked.
Nothing said Matt. 81 don't like
to be pulled about, that's ALL"
You mean you don't like me?"
Don't know. That's telling"
And yet you've no cause to hate me.
Matt, for I've been a good friend to Won
and always shall, because | like Won.
Matt. Do you understand, like you"
So anxious did he seem to impress this
Rpon her, that he put his arm around her
waist, drew her toward him, ano kissed
her on the cheek, a ceremony he had
never performed before. But Matt seem
ed by no means to appreciate the honor
as his lips touched her cheeks she shiy-
cred, and when he released her she began
rubbing at the place as IL TO wipe the
touch away.
II Mr., Monk noticed this action on the
part Of the girl, he deemed 1t prudent to
take nc notice OF il. He said a few more
pleasant things to Matt, and again pat
ted her cheek afectionately, then be left
the cottage. taking William Jones with
him. Ten minutes later William Jones
returned alone.
Where's Se?" asked Matt
Meaning Mr.. Monk, Matt-he is
gone ~ said William Jones.
Gone for good?" demanded Matt, Inn
patiently.
mo, he amt, Matt; he'll be down here
tomorrow, he win: and you'd best be at
home 20
Matt said nothing this time: she only
trr,,ed away sullenly and shrugged her
shoulders.
Matt" said William Jones. presently.
"Wenf'
"Mr. Monk seems uncommon fond Of
you. he do"
Matt reflected for a moment, thee she
replied:
II wonder what he's fond Of me for,
William JonesT
well, l dunno; cause he Is. l sup
pose" returned William Jones. having
no more logical answer st his command.
"sTain't that" said Matt: ''he don't
tove me- because I'm me. William Jones.
There's something else. and l should Just
Ike to know what that something is.
shonld."