Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-08-25
MAID MATTE.
Unsalhsh to the Last, She Sup
ported Her Benefac:ors.

y.
observation-disclosures
There was always n profusion of old
fashioned blossoms in the garden that
stoned from the little White house to
the waters edge. My early recollection
of 1t is of a spot where the sun shone
more brightly than elsewhere. The
mingled scents of the flowers and the
salt sea are as fresh and sweet as the
story that was enacted here years ago.
Matte was the maid to Miss Priscilla
and her sister, Miss Miriam, who dwelt
in the cottage then. When little more
than Il child she was taken home by
the two elderly spinsters. who dealt
most kindly by the orphan from that
day.
The Misses Lorimer were spoken of
as very genteel ladies'" although their
uutPceientS were unknown. They had
settled in the fishing hamlet when both
were still comparatively young, but
they had always maintained marked
reserve and had mixed little with the
inhabitants.
On the day Matte learned some
thing of the past and realized fully the
precaricus future Of her old ladies' life
became an astounding. but, above all,
stern reality to her. A letter came that
morning addressed in strange hand
to Miss Lorimer. The post mark was
."London"-that faroff place associated
in Mattie's mind with pavements Of
gold and the palatial homes of wealthy
bankers. 1t was there the banker lived
who was oan brother to TIE Misses
Lorimer.
Matte handed the letter to Miss
Priscilla where she sat at the head Of
the frugal but dainty breakfast table,
and left the room. The door was all
but closed when she heard her mis-
tress cry:
HE is dead. Miriam! Oh, Miriam,
George is deadH'
The distress in the voice she loved
held Matte.
What" cried Miss Miriam. "No, no;
1t is not possible. The debt! God
would not call him home before his
work was done"
His work is done. The last Of the
debt was cleared week ago" Miss
Priscilla answered with a forced calm
that hurt the listener more than her
poignant cry. The letter rustled in the
old lady's trembling fingers with the
sound of autumn leaves In the wintry
irio mi mir n
intensified the effect of sudden storm
and disaster.
George gone. George gone! And he
the youngest. We have nobody now
What will become of us?" Fear made
the last words faint.
I'VE have God" said Priscilla.
"You do not say Our Father"
Miriam's voice had hardened strangely
Don't. sister, don't" cried the elder
quickly. Your bitterness gives hin
Another wrong to answer for Mt the
last judgment-and he has surely
enough"
poor father! You are right. sister.
A sorrowful silence fell on the sunny
room, the windows of which faced the
south and the sea.
The thoughts of the sisters were in
communicable even to each other.
I'VE have not seen George for 2;
years." Miriam remarked after time
AYE, he grudged the expense of thu
long journey-dear laddie" Priscilla
voice broke in dry sob, but neither o
the sisters had shed a tear. The.
would not mourn too grievously tn
brother whose life had been so nobl
in their eyes in its stern devotion to
high ideal of rectitude. Besides. the,
n death as George Eorimer's coul'
bring.
What does the lawyer say about
about his circumstancesW 1t wal
Miriam who put the anxious question
She was one of those timid wome
they who are instincttvely conscious
poor things, Of their incapacity.
HE had decent burial. and-an
there seems to be little over-enoug
to do our turn"
THANK God"
1t was at this moment the little mai
outside the door burst into uncontro
liable weeping, and the elder Of the si
tiers rose from her place and followe
her to the kitchen.
Through her tears the girl saw no
Miss priscilla's expression altere
when alone with her-it had turned
one of blank despair.
Matte" she whispered, 81 must te
somebody or it will be too much fC
me. l had to spare poor Miriam, br
that was falschood told her,"
You may call it that, ma'am!
don't" And Matte set her lips in d.
termined way she had while look ,
loving admiration shone through ht
tears.
I'm afraid you don't understan
Matte" continued Miss Priscill
speaking with painful effort. My 81
ter and will be hard put to 1t no
not to Starve. My brother is dead. "
have nothing to depend on for llviI
.-nothing and nobody"
you've me-" Quoth Matte brusqu
IS.
We'll net lie able to afford ser
am nos. Matte" said the old lat