Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-09-27

Satciy disposed of for the night
Meanwhise IL had dawncd upon the
heavy but calculating brain of Peter
Small, Ma;tie's cousin. that the girl
would make a desirable wife: she was
SO active and 50 well gathered. if re-
pore spoke truly.
Peter WAS not an III favored fellow.
ana Matte. being one OF those who are
keenly sensitive to kindness. felt most
kindly disposed toward him. She was
SO free from self interest herself that
II was the last thing She suspected I'm
others.
Before long Peter spoke of marriage.
The girl received his proposal en-
coura Cingly. but told him she was not
free TO marry so long as the old ladies
lived. The young mans amazcmcnt
WAS followed by something like con
tempt. Stil, nc did not believe that
this was anything more tlau ,,u aim.
AS the weeks passed. however. and
his persuaSionS wore of uo avail to
move Matte from her rcsol.e. he be
came very angry in secret 1o did not
quarrel with her ouu lat. because Of
Us exaggerated notion OF her monetary
value.
lie cudgeicd his brain for some way
OF bringing hcr to reason. MS he
phrased IL. ami AT last ho hit upon 4
scheme II WAS one only likely to oc-
cur To selfish and uuscrupulous man.
but that was of no consoQucuce To
Peter.
One nirat. on thc plea of helping
Matte with tn, lines Peter stepped
aboard tht cohDlc aul rovcI her out
TO her isldag ground. Anchoring the
boat securely. hc seated himself on =
thwart within reach OF the painter.
Matte aai tried to diSsuade him
from accompanying hcr. ami She was
surprised lace should ignore h.r wish.
Stiii she WAS lot altogether displcaSed
to have his eo- pary
~ was ou Dt those nights I'm which
the dim starlight seems 10 intensity
the darkness 0f land aud ~ca. The
hcavinS waters had phoSpaorcsccnt
Elcam. and tine waves mounted sullenlv
as the wind from the east swept across
them in ~i.-iug gusts.
But FOR i,,cr'~ companiunship Matte
would have tcit the Solitua, ~ecric."
Yet they had little To- say tu cacu other.
They work. 3 with a VIII Fish were
plentiful. a.. u a couple of hours they
had caughl ~s many as Matte wanted.
Well Ice Weighing anchor now she
said
Not quite yet lass" quoth Peter i'm
Il dry tone. Il came here tonight mean
lhg TO get your promise To marry me
fortnight from now. and wen up an
chor only when you've given it,"
You'll row mo ashore AT once. Peter
or I'll never forgive YOU" cried Matte
amazed and indignant.
III row You ashore as soon as YOU
give me your word-not till then" said
Peter doggodly
You're never in earnest" Matte
was beginning TO tremble a little in
the darkness.
Am not; I'm thinking I've pinned
You this time. my lass And he laugh
ell eNultantly
Matte was spcechleSS for the mo-
ment. dazod 10y the revelation of his
character. 1t seemed to her that she
looked suddenly into "A gulf of horrid
darkness. What cruel heart hc must
have 10 think of taking 50 mean an ad-
vantage, lie knew SO well how afraid
she was lest the old ladies should learn
of these midnight excursions of hers.
ii would break Miss priScila's heart To-
know of the hardShipS she had borne.
however chcerfully. for her sake. As
FOR the other sister she would bc dis
graccd forever in Miss Niriam's eyes.
Her own silence would insure that
"Nen. are YOU content to stop here
till daylightW cried Peter breaking in
on her troubled thoughts There will
Ice fine stir NJ the cottage when the
Misses Lorimcr wake Up and want
their breakfast" he added craftiy.
Al this Matte sprang 10 her feet and
stretched across 10 grasp the anchor
rope. but he held her of Then he
taunted her with her powerleSSness.
She contided to me long aftcrward
that she knew the sort OF dcSpairing
rage that tcmptS Il being in extremity
To take the life of another.
Peter drove her back To the seat she
had quilted. Then she shipped the
oars into the rowlocks and strove with
all her might To drag the boat from its
mooringS, but il was useless.
Come. Matte, be a sensible woman
for once and give in. 1t beats me to
know what you make such 10 do
for"
Mattic'S answer was Il CRY Of despair
1t was that heard rs was returning
to the coast guard station after my
nights round of inspection.
Mattie's despair was not unfOunded
What was the use of telling this mau
the true facts of the caSe-that the
poor old ladies had nobody 10 look 10
but her? lie would only Snecr. She
need not throw herself upon his gen
eroSity; he had none. He was hard
as flint He would keep his word in
spite Of all she could say or do. Day
light would find her here if she did not
promise. Could she promise-for their
Sakes? But would il hc best for them
I'm the end? That question saved Mat
tie. She saw SO clearly that the wife
OF Peter Small would have little power
10 minister To others.
You can stay here till doomSday.
Peter. hut youl never get me to say
I'll marry you. That idea is gone. once
md for all. I've changed my oDiniOu