The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-08-30


but that was Of no consequence to
| Peter.
One night, on the plea of helping
Matte with the lines, Peter stepped
aboard the cobble and rowed her out
to her fishing ground. Anchoring the
boat securely, he seated himself on a
thwart within reach Of the painter.
Matte had tried to dissuade him
from accompanying her, and she was
surprised he should ignore her wish.
Still, she was not altogether displeased
to have his company.
1t was one of those nights in which
the dim starlight seems to intensity
the darkness Of land and sea. The
heaving waters had phosphOrescent
| CLEAN, and the waves mounted sullenly
as the wind from the east swept across
them in stinging gusts.
But for Peters companionship Matte
would have felt the solitude 'eerie."
{ Yet they had little to say to each other.
They worked with q will. Fish were
plentiful, and in couple Of hours they
had caught as many Us Matte wanted.
well be weighing anchor now," she
said.
"Not quite yet, lass" quoth Peter in
a dry tone. 81 came here tonight mean
ing to get your promise to marry me a
fortnight from now, and we'll up an
chor only when you've given it,"
"You'll row me ashore at once, Peter,
or I'll never forgive you," cried Matte.
amazed and indignant.
"I'll row you ashore as soon as you
give me your word-not till then," said
Peter doggedly.
"You're never in earnest" Matte
was beginning to tremble little in
the darkness.
IAN not? I'm thinking I've pinned
you this time, my lass! And he laugh
ed exultantly.
Matte was speechless for the mo-
ment, dazed by the revelation Of his
character. 1t seemed to her that she
looked suddenly into q gulf Of horrid
darkness. What cruel heart he must
have to think Of taking so meanian ad-
vantage! He knew so well how afraid
she was lest the old ladies should learn
Of these midnight excursions Of hers.
It would break Miss Priscilla's heart to
know OF the hardships she had borne,
however cheerfully, for her sake. AS
for the other sister, she would be dis
graced forever in Miss Miriam's eyes.
Her own silence would insure that
"Well, are you content to stop here
till daylightY cried Peter, breaking In
on her troubled thoughts. :There will
be fine stir at the cottage when the
Misses Lorimer wake up and want
their breakfast" he added craftily.
At this Matte sprang to her feet and
stretched across to grasp the anchor
rope, but he held her off. Then he
taunted her with her powerlessness.
She confded to me long afterward
that she knew the sort Of despairing
rage that tempts a 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 stroye with
all her might to drag the boat from its
moorings, but it was useless.
"Come, Matte, be sensible woman
for once and give In. It beats me to
know what you make such O to do
for"
Mattie's answer was cry OF despair.
It was that heard as I 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 man
the true facts Of the case-that the
poor old ladies had nobody to look to
but her? He would only sneer. 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 it be best for them
in the end? That question saved Mat
tie. She saw so clearly that the wife
Of Peter Small would have little power
to minister to others.
"You can stay here till doomsday,
Peter, but you'll never get me to say
I'll marry you. That idea is gone, once
and for all. I've changed my opinion
Of you this night as las never
thought to- Her words ended in o
sob.
Peters anger rose. He began 10
threaten and to bully her, thinking
probably that her tears betokened q
weakness that demanded such treat
ment But he was struck dumb Of
sudden by the sound Of approaching
oars.
"Ahoy, therew Matte cried out, her.
voice full Of joyful relief.
1t suffices to tell that rescued Mat
tie by cutting the cobble adrift from
her moorings when the surly fellow Mt
the bow still refused to haul up the
anchor, for am merely the chronicler
Of page in Nattie's life which proves
her to have alheert as brave, generous
and faithful as that Of any heroine OF
fiction.
A number Of years later Matte stood
in the old fashioned garden. Two
young girls were chasing each other
round the flower beds. Mattic's eyes
were unusually dreamy. Coming up
hahind her unobseryed. I Said