The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-10-25


not TO speak Of the transaction to any
one. and that he would row the boat
TO the gate Of her garden when she
wanted II.
The plan worked we'll and Matte
spent many a long hour on the cold.
dark waters after her old ladies we're
safely disposed Of for the night
Meanwhile, It dawned upon tho
heavy but calculating brain OF Petcr
Small, Matties cousin, that the girl
would make a desirable wife; she was
so active and so well-gathered. If re-
port spoke truly.
Peter was not an III favored fellow,
and 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 It was the last thing she sus-
pected in others.
Before long Peter spoke of mar
rlage. The girl received his proposal
encouragingly, but told him she was
not free to marry so long as the old
ladies lived. The young mans amaze
ment was followed by something like
contempt. Still. he did not believe
that this was anything more than n
whim.
AS the weeks passed, however and
his persuasions were of no avail to
move Matte from her resolve, he be-
came very angry in secret He did
not quarrel with her outright, because
of his exaggerated notion Of her mon
etary value.
He cudgeled his brains for some
way of bringing her to reason, as he
phrased 1t, and at last hit upon a
scheme. It was only likely to occur
to a selfish and INSCRIPTIONS man,
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 the 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 dis
pleased 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 a phosphorescent
CLEAN, and the waves moaned sullen-
ly as the wind from the east swept
across them in stinging gusts.
But for Peters companionship Mat
tie 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 as Matte wanted
Wen be weighing anchor, now,
she said
Not quite yet, lass" quoth Pete
in a dry tone. 81 came out here to
night meaning to get your promise t.
marry me a fortnight from now, an,
we'll up anchor only when you'v,
given it."
You'll row me ashore at once, Pc
ter, or I'll never forgive you" criet
Matte, amazed and indignant
'Tn row you ashore as soon as vol
give me your word-not till then,
said Peter doggedly.
You're never in earnest?" Matti
was beginning to tremble little i,
the darkness.
"Am l not? I'm thinking I'vl
pinned you this time, my lass" an
he laughed exultantly.
) Matte was speeches. for the mo
ment-dazed by the revelation Of hi
t character. 1t seemed to her that sh
! looked suddenly into gulf of horri
darkness. What, a cruel heart he mus
! have to think of taking so mean a
4 advantage He knew so we'll ho'
afraid she was lest the old ladie
e should learn of these midnight e1
d cursions of hers. 1t would break Mis-
0 Priscilla's heart to know Of the hare
/ ships she had borne, however cheer
d fully, for her sake. AS for the othe
sister, she would be disgraced FOL
i ever in Miss Miriam's eyes; her ow
( silence would insure that.
d well are you content to stop hel
S till daylight" cried Peter, breakin
in on her troubled thoughts. "Thel
: will be fine stir at the cottage whe
< the Miss Lorimers wake up and wal
y their breakfast" he added craftily.
II At this Matte sprang to her fe
: and stretched across to grasp the al
Choir rope, but he held her off. The
a he tainted her with her poWerles
- v,nec