Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-05-29
COME ASHORE"
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
TContinaled from last qoeek.

TContinated from last aoee6.
MATT did as she was told; opening her arms
she threw her load into a corner of the room;
then William Jones hurried the whole party
back into the kitchen
The men seated themselves on benches, but
Matt moved about the room to get light.
The light, as well as everything else, was
living illustration of the meanness of William
Jones' 1t consisted not of candle, but of a
long rush, which had been 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 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 floor.
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:
.'Matt's growed," said he; 'she's growed
wonderful. Lord bless usI she's bit
changed she is sim that night when you
found her down on the shore. Why, her own
friends wouldn't know herr'
Mr.. Monk started and frowned.
Her friends?" he said-''what friends?''
.'Why, them as owns her," continued Will
liam Jones. eff 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 allus tell
her.
$50 that's what you always tell her, do
youq' returned Monk, grimly. "Then you're
:, fool fo~ your pains. The girls got no friends
haven't told you that before2'
Certainly you have, Mr.. Monk, - returned
William Jol YES, meekly; ''but look We now, l
think-"
you've no right to think" Numbered
Monk; you're Not paid for thinking; you're
paid for keeping he girl, and what more do
you want?-Matt,'' he continued, In softer
tone, "come to me-"
But Matt didn't hea Tor, at any rate, did
not heed for she made no movement. Then
Monk, gazing intently at her, gave vent to
the same remark as VIII. am Jones had done
few hours before:
''Where have you been t, .day, he said, "to
have on that frock?'
Again Matt hung her head and was silent.
Monk repeated his question; a I'D, seeing that
he was determined to have ait answer, she
threw up her head defantly, and>said, with
tone of pride in her voice:
II put it ON to be took"
''To be took?" repeated Monk.
eyes" returned Matt; ''to have my like
ness took. There be painter chap here that
lives in cart; he's took it.'
1t was curious to note the changes in Mr..
Monks face. At first he tried to appear
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 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 &C
count OF its superior strength.
ssMatt," said Mr.. Monk again, "come
here
This time she obeyed; she rose slowly from
her seat and went reluctantly to his side.
t'Matt, look me in the face" he said. edo
you know who this painter is!''
Matt shook her head.
elbow many times have you seen himg'
ssTwicen
ssAnd what has he said to youg'
GA lot O. things"
''Tell me one thing?'
"He asked me who my mother was, and I
told him I hadn't got none"
Mr.. Monks face once more grew black as
night.
ing questions. l thought as much. He's a
sconndrelly vagabond!'
"No. he amt" said Matt, bluntly.
4tMatt, my girl, =" said MI. Monk taking no
n, ,tiee of her interruption, 81 want you to
M, vsaise me something"
what is it?'
seN, vt to go near that painter again!"
Matt shook her head.
ssSba,, fN promise" she said, "'cause I shall
90. NV likeness amt took yet-he takes a
time. he d, YES. I'm going to put them things
on to-morr6 " and be took again"
For a MON vet the light in his eyes looked
dangerous. tn, Va he smiled and patted her
cbeek-at which caress she shrank away.
"Wbat,s the m atterT' he asked.
uNothino, y said Matt. 81 don't like to be
pulled about, that's al.
'eYou mean YOU d on't like sne?"
ssDon't know. Thu us telling"
"And yet you've no cause 10 hate me, Matt
for I've been a good f. 1eno 10 you-and al
ways shall, because I liz eyou, Matt. Do you
understand, like you?"
So anxious did he seem impress this upon
her that he put his arm q touha ner waist
drew her toward him and Kissed her on the
cheek, ceremony he had ever performed
before But Matt seemed b. no means te
appreciate the honor; as his lips touched bel
cheeks she shivered, and when he released bel
she began rubbing at the place as IL TO wipe
the touch away.
If Mr. Monk noticed this action the part
of the girl he deemed it prudent to lake nc
notice of it. He said few more pheasant
things to Matt, and again patted her cheeh
affectionately then he left the cottage, taxing
William Jones with him. Ten minutes latel
William Jones returned alone.
ssWhere's he?" asked Matt.
s'Meanin' Mr.. Monk, Matt-he be gone T
said William Jones.
s'Gone for good?" demanded Mahi, impa-
IDENTIFY.
s'No, he amt, Matt; he'll be down here to.
morrow, he will and you'd best be at l'lomeI'
Matt said nothing this time; she only urned
away sullenly and shrugged her shoulder s.
stlatt. i" said William Jones. presently :.