The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-13
natural amazcmcnt.

matrimony in such connection is
excuse my prepostcrous.
People don't marry little girls"
But Matt did not consent to this
proposition at all.
II amt little girl" she affirmed,
with IL decisive nod of the head. I'm
sixteen, and I'm growcd up
The young man was amused, and
could not refrain from laughing hearth
ly. But the girls brow darlcncd as she
watched him. and her under lip fell as
if she would like to cry.
IF YOU go on laughing," she said.
Eli run straight back home, and mover
come here no more"
We'll I'll try to keep my counte-
nance but the idea is very funny Real
ly now? Don't you sec it in that light,
yourself?"
Certainly Matt did not, to Judge from
the expression of her face. She turned
her head away, and Brinllley saw to
his surprise that tear was rolling
down her check.
Come, Matt" he said, kindly, you
mustn't take this so seriously. Tell
me all about it-therc's good girl
II Wilt you won't laugh"
II won't, then, there"
"Well, when was lying in my bed
this morning heard William Jones
a-talking to some one. He thought /
was asleep, but got up and listened
and heard Mr.. Monks voice: and he
said, says he: She's over sixteen years
old, and III marry her. and William
Jones said: Lord, Mr. Monk; what
can you be a-thinking about? Matt
aSr,'f ri i, Il - IL
amt fit to be the wife of fine gentle
man. Then Mr. Monk he stamped his
foot like he does when he's in a pas
sion, and he said, says he: My minds
made up, William Jones, and I'm going
to marry her before the years out;
and don't care how SOON Then
heard them moving about, and l crept
back to bed and pretended to be fast
asleep"
The young mans establishment in
creased. There could be no doubt of
the veracity and sincerity of the
speaker; and the story1she told was
certainly puzzling Brinlley made up
his mind without much reflection that
if Mr.. Monk wanted to go through the
marriage ceremony with that child he
had some special and mysterious rea-
son for SO doing, unlcss-which was
scarcely possiblc-he was of a senti-
mental disposition, and, in the manner
of many men advanced towards middle
age, was enamorcd of MATHS youth and
ineNperience.
Tell me, Matt said Brinllley, after
bordering the matter for some min
utes; tell me how long you have
known this Mr.. Monl1?"
Ever since came ashore" was the
reply.
"Humph,-is he well to do?-rich?"
Matt nodded emphatically.
"All Abcrglyn belongs to him. she
said, ''and the woods up there, and the
FARMS and the horses up at the big
house, nnd-everything"
And though he is such n great per-
son, he is very friendly with William
Jones?"
ooh, yes" answered Matt; land
think William Jones is afraid of him
sometimes; but he gives William Jones
money Tor keeping me-"
"Oh, indeed! He gives him money,
does, he? That's rather kind of him,
you know"
At this Matt shook her head with
great decision, but said nothing. Great
ly puzzled, the young man looked at
her, and unused. 1t was clear that
there was a mystery somewhere, and
he was getting interested. Presently
he invited Matt to sit down on the
steps of the caravan, and he placed
himself at her side. lie was too alb
sorbed in speculation to notice how
the girl colored and frightened as they
sat there together.
you have often told me that you
came ashore" he said, after long
pause. 81 should like to llnowa some
thing of how it happened. don't cX-
actly know what this coming ashore
means Can you cXplain?"
II don't remember she replied;
but | know there was a ship, and it
went to pieces, and | come to shore in
Il boat, or summat.'
Il see-and William Jones found
you?"
MIR. Monk, he found me, and gave
me to William Jones to keep"
Il begin to understand Of course.
You were very little-a baby. in fact. -
'William Jones says 1 could just
talk some words, and that when he
took me home called him Papa"
What was the name Of the ship?
Have YOU ever hcard?'
No. said Matt.
did you come ashore all alone? 1t is
scarcely possible!'
Il come ashore myself. All the rest
was drowned"
Was there no clcw to who YOU
were" Did nothing come ashore be-
sides To show them who you were or
where you came from?"
Matt shock her head again. Once