Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-24

and the house he now occupied. Having been
delayed so long, he changed his mind about
proceeding to the town, and went toward home
what will be the end OF 1t? can see no
further ahead In my mind than can see the
through this fog today" he muttered to him
self. as the wheels Jolted along the uneven
road, and the mist crept round him. 1T has
been queer business, and just my luck that &c
should happen TO Matte or all people in the
. Mattie's story was simple enough. ANY one
would have told you 1t has been repeated often
and often i'm the worlds history: a common
tale, and not surprising in the least. II drew
was surprised at the wrong Ia 1t, that was only
because wrong was apt to surprise him. He
Iouho II easier 10 believe In right, and to credit
The orphan Child OF a former servant In a
wealthy family, Matte had shared the lessons
and lne play of the young daughter of the
mouse ultl. a time came when it was convenient
TO turn the humble companion adrift to work
TOT herself. II may have been piece Of the
1I-iuGk his nefghbors ascr1bed to Drew that it
snG S nave s been to bis farm the girl came as
nelp TO his sister, or 1t may have been piece
OF bis constitutional g0Od-nature that made
him agree to take under his roof this pretty
lass, unframed for service and educated far
above her station. He heard Of her quite acct
dentally through the steward of the people who
mad hitherto befriended her. AS for them, they
were relieved to hear of good home for her.
ana one far away from the park-like, healthy
land, with its pines and chestnuts, In which
pleasant place Mattie'S lines had hitherto fallen
Matte had been given an education that
might nave satisfied school board inspector of
toSay, and mao moreover caught up little re-
nnementS OF speech and manner that made her
quite superior young woman. She might
nave gone cut as nursery goyerness, but ex-
pressed herself more satisfied with q country
life In farmhouse where there was a Young
child to took after and light work required of her.
Inc awakening was rude when her patrons said
carelt Ssly that the time was come for her to do
StDeln1ng Tor herself, and that suitable stu
alton should be found for her. Matte had a
spirit OF her own; she did not wait to see what
would De done for her, but sought the steward,
always good friend OF hers, and through him
found situation for herself; glad that it took
her into quite another part Oh Sussex, and far
from all old associations.
DreW'S widowed sister, Mrs. BankeS, who
lived with him, and whose child 1t was Matte
had come TO nurse, among other duties too
numerous to mention for there was but one
servant kept-DrewS sister exclaimed Ia de-
Spair, when the farmer brought home the young.
lady-llke delicate-lOoking girl:
I've want strong, Woodworking lass, This
one does not know her right hand from her left.
she Is as good as lady-Or as bad. and has
never MIXED cow in her life! WHAT were YOU
thinking OF to bring her here?"
she came In my way. | suppose you can
teach her. She has not friend in the world TO
look to-
"She will not be worth her wages"
An, that's Just my luck. Well we must do
the hest we can with her. If the steward had
never mentioned her TO me, nOW-but then he
did mention her, and here she is
II ere she was and there she Staid. Apt to
learn willing to be taught, grateful for the real
best hand at milking for miles round soon de-
voted TO the baby. Three years passed quietly.
and then came the romance OF MattIes lie.
She was twenty that summer and Adam Ar
m1tage, grave man. was fully ten years her
senior. \ great traveller. member OF a world
renowned scientific society, a student and dis
coverer.he was, between two scientific expedi-
tons, refreshing heart and brain by a walking
tour through the home counties. He had wan
dered over the level marsh lands losing his
way among the water courses; sauntered
lnlougn lanes whose hedges were one tangle OF
Wild flowers; past villages embosomed in trees.
old manOS with spreading oaks and leafy
heecheS. and deer standing knee deep in ferns
Then away over the Downs. walking for miles
along the breezy crest of them, a Vide plno.
rama On either hand, and beneath the foot a
grassy track, hardly visible at times, but reap.
pearlDg again; and If faithfully followed lead
ing straight TO the seaside town near to which
was Drew's farm, and Matte milking her Ogs.
playing with the Child among the hay singing
at her work, and all unconscious of coming fate
Adams walking tour ended at the farm Drew
had taken only year before and the dwelling
house 1t had been found more convenient to in
habit than the smaller building ON the Old land
close to the load. Mr. Armitage found the nure air
OF the Downs good for him. He hired a little upper
chamber, from the window OF which one could
lnhale the strong sea breeze that yet came to It.
subtly scented from the blOSsOming clover across
which II blew. He made friends with all the
family, To Matte it was delightful to meet once
more some one with all the tricks OF speech and
manner OF the more refined society among which
lowed this new friend wherever he went: Harry's
mother called him r1ght-doWn pleasant gentle
man; the farmer called him good man.
Drew took this idea from the long talks tn
men me mad together. and to which Matte would
listen, humbly feeling that, in spite of her own
superior education, the farmer had more in com
n on with Mr.. Armitage, and understood hi1l
oetter than she could. Living in a practical
yE-9-6 Law no
had wonderful fascination for Drew He
liked few things better ttlan to hear of recent
discoveries. and the light thrown by them upon
revealed religion. For TO the farmer il was light
and not darkness. He was not afraid of new
ideas; not afraid of growth, even In religion. or
that in growing 1T should not adapt Itself 10 the
progress OF knowledge. Drew found Christian
fty quite elastic enough for that and said that
the one Truth could be made TO embrace all
truths. Adam Armitage was a man after the
farmers own heart lie did not know much
as 10 who he was or whence he came; 1t was
from what he knew OF him personally-of his
thoughts. and words; and ways, that Drew
called him good man.
They all missed him when he went away
Matte most OF all; but the following summer
saw him there again. welcome old friend this
time, and 10 stranger.
Drew, keen observer OF all that went on
around him, was not SO much taken by surprise
as his sister was, when one day toward the
end OF this second visit, Adam and Matte were
n
country lass made her appearance before night.
She was the bearer OF note from Matte con-
Tossing that she ana Mr.. Armitage were mar
lied, and hoping the little servant sent might
supply her place so that no one would be tncOn-
yenienced. Drew might shake his head and
look thoughtful but Mr.. Armitage was his own
master, and ii was not the first time a gentle
man had married a country lass. Besides. the
deed was done, and past recall. They had gone
quietly 10 one OF the churches In the town from
whence the sOu2d or bells f1oated up to the
farm, and had been married by special license
Adam had taken lodging for his bride and
there they passed one brief, bright week OF
happiness; then ore morning walked quietly
back together, Matte blushing and smiling.
and looking so lovely ana iadylike in a simoI
dress such as she used to wear before she came
to the farm, that they hardly knew her.
Adam explained that he meant to leave his
Vile Tor TWO dayS-nO mOre-in the care or her
old friends; at the end or that time he would
return 10 fetch her. There were arrangements
10 make with regard to the scientific expedition
about 10 start Immediately. 1t would sail with
that his place should be as well filled as might
be. There was also his mother to see and TO
prepare for receiving Matte. In day or two
at farlheSt he would be back.
Matte walked q little way with her husband
and the farmer along the breezy uplands, and
then Adam sent her back and haStened his own
steps in the direction OF the little station at th
loot OF the Downs. When he came again he
said. laughing, that 1t would be from b sta
ton, and that he would drive in iiy through
the Stohedene Gate and along the track the
only approach TO carriage road leading to the
farm.