The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-06-27
"COME ASHORE"
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.


ness no began TO whine.
"Moro plumber, Mr. Monkin ho said. ''No,
no; the days for finding that is gone Matt
and mo has been ON the shore foraging for a
bit o. flrewood-that be all. Put it down,
Matt; put it down"
Matt did as she was told; opening her arms
she threw her load into corner Of the room;
then William Jones hurried the whole party
back into the kitchen.
Tho men seated themselves on benches but
Matt moved about the room to get o light.
Tho Light, as well as everything else, was a
living illustration of the meanness Of William
Jones. 1t consisted not of a candle. but of q
long rush, which had becn gathered from the
marshes by Matt, and afterward dried and
dipped in grease by William Jones. Matt
lighted it and fixed it in little iron niche
which was evidently made for the purpose,
and which was attached to u table near the
hearth. When the work was finished, She
threw off her hat and jacket, retired to the
farther end of the hearth, and sat down on
the Goor
During the whole of this time Mr.. Monk
had been watching her gloomily; and he had
been watched in his turn by William Jones'
At last the latter spoke:
Mats growed,n said he; ''she's growed
wonderful. Lord bless usl she's a bit
changed she is sim that night when you
found her down on the shore. Why, her own
friends wouldn't know hern
Mr.. Monk started and frowned.
''Her friends.n he said-''what friendsr'
"Why, them as owns her. continued Will
liam Jones. IF they wasn't all drownded in
the ship what she came ashore from they
must be somewheer. Mayhap some day
they'll find her, and reward me for bringin'
her up a good gal-that's what 1 allus tell
her.
80 that's what you always tell her, do
youH' returned Monk, grimly. ''Then you're
a flor yourpains The girls got no friends
haven't told you that before'
Certainly you have, Mr.. Monk T." returned
William Jones, meekly; but look ye now, l
think"
you've no right to Think thundered
Monk; "you're not paid for thinking; you're
paid for keeping the girl, and what more do
you wantl-Matt," he continued, in softer
tone, 'come to me.n
But Matt didn't hear-or, at any rate, did
not heed; for she made no movement. Then
Monk, gazing intently 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 frockgn
Again Matt hung her head and was silent
Monk repeated his question; and, seeing that
he was determined to have an answer she
threw up her head defantly, and said, with a
tone of pride in her voice:
II put it on to be toollr
ITO be took.n repeated Monk
Eyes" returned Matt; ito have my like
ness took There be painter chap here that
lives in n cart; he's took it,
1t was curious to note the changes in Mr..
Monks face. At first he tried to appear
oY,inIla. fbara lfg .,
into look Of angry suspicion. Matt never
once withdrew her eyes from him-his very
presence seemed to rouse oil that was bad in
her; and she glared at him through her
tangled locks in much the same manner as a
shaggy terrier puppy might gaze at a bull
which it would fain attack, but feared on ac-
count of its superior strength.
MATT" said Mr.. Monk again, 'come
here"
This time she obeyed; The rose slowly from
Ger 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 hing
Twice.
"And what has he said to your
"A lot o. thingsn
Tell me one thingf'
HE asked me who my mother was, and l
told him hadn't got none.n
Mr.. Monks face once more grew black as
night.
$50" he said, ''poliing and prying and ask
ing questions. thought as much He's q
scoundrelly yagabondr
mo, he amt said Matt bluutly.
'Matt, my girl, said Mr.. Monk, taking nc
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
ashanti promise, she said, ''causo I shall
60. My likeness amt took yct-he takes .
time, he does, I'm going to put them thing
on tomorrow and be took again"
For moment the light in his eyes looked
dangerous, then he smiled and patted hel
cheek-at which cares she shrani away.
What's the mGtterF' he asked
Nothing, 50 said Matt. Il don't like to b,
pulled about, that's all.
You mean you don't like ne!'
Don't know. That's telling.n
And yet you've no cause to hate me, Matt
for I've been u good friend to you-and al
ways shall, because like you, Matt. Do yol
understand, | like you"
So anxious did he seem to impress this upol
her that he put his arm around her waist
drew her toward him and kissed her on til
cheek, ceremony lie had never peFtOlme
before. But Matt seemed by no means t
appreciate the honor; as his lips touched ne
check; she shivcrcd, and when lie released he
she began rubbing at the place as if to wip
the touch away.
Ii Mr.. Monk noticed this action ON the par
Of The girl lie deemed it prudent TO take n
notice Of it. He said a few more pleasau
things TO Matt, and again patted her chee
uffcctioEately; then he left the cottage, taAin
William Jones with him. Ten minutes late
Wiilinn Jones returned alone.
"Nhoro's hc." asked Matt
"Maagin' Mr.. Monk Matt-he be gone
said William Jones.
Gone for good," demanded Matt, imp
tcndy.
NO; he amt, Matt; hell be down here I,
morrow, lie Will and you'd best be at home
Matt said nothing this time; she only turnt
away sulienly and shrugged her shoulders.
Matt, said William Jones, presently.
'eWellT'
Mr.. Monk sc ms uncommon fond of you
10 do.n
\ \E HYE/ 9