Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-09-06

most kindly by the orphan from that
day.
The Misses Lorimer were spoken Of
as very genteel ladies, although their
antecedents 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 something
Of the past and realized fully the pre-
carious future Of her old ladies, life
became an astounding, but above all
a stern reality to her letter came
that morning addressed in a strange
hand to Miss Lorimer The postmark
was "London"-that far-off place as
sociated in Mattie's mind with pave
ments of gold and the palatial homes
of wealthy bankers--it was there the
banker lived who was own brother to
the 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 dead"
The distress in the voice she loved
held Matte.
What" cried Miss Miriam. mo.
no, it is not possible The debt, God
would not call him home before his
work was donel"
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 wind and Miss Miriam's low
moaning intensified the effect of sud-
den storm and disaster.
George gone. George gone-and he
the youngest. We have nobody now
What viii become Of us?" Fear made
the last words faint
we have Cod" said Priscilla.
You do not say, Our Father.
Miriams voice had hardened strange
ly.
Don't sister don't" cried the elder
quickly Your bitterness gives him
another wrong TO answer for at the
last judgment-and he has surely
enough.
Poor father. You are right, sis
ter"
A sorrowful silence fell on the sun
ny room, the windows of which faced
the south and the sea.
The thoughts of the sisters were
incommunicable even TO each other.
we have not seen George for 25
years" Miriam remarked after time.
"Ay. he grudged the expense of the
long iourney-dear laddie." Priseilla's
voice broke in a dry sob, but neither
Of the sisters had shed a tear. The
would not mourn too grievously the
brother whose life had been so noble
in their eyes In its stern devotion to
high ideal Of rectitude Besides.
they had known a worse sorrow than
such death as George Lorimer's can
bring.
What does the lawyer say about
about his circumstances" It was Mir
lam who put the anxious question.
She was one OF those timid women
who live in constant fear OF destitu-
Iion-they who are instinctively CON
scious, poor things. of their incanac-
ity.
He had a decent burial. and-and
there seems to be little over
enough to do our turn
Thank Cod
1t was at this moment tho little
maid outside the door burst into IN.
oontrollable weeping, and the elder Of
the sisters rose from her place and
followed her to the kitchen.
Through her tears the girl saw how
Miss Priseilla's expression altered
when alone with her-it had turned
TO ono Of blank despair.
Matte" she wispcred. Il must tell
aomehody or 1t will be too much for
NC. had to spare poor Miriam. but
that was a falsehood told her"
You nay call it that. ma'am.
cont" and Matte set her lips in a
determined way she had. while look
9f loving admiration shone through
hcr tears.
I'm afraid you don't understand.
Matte" continued Miss Priscilla.
speaking with painful effort my
sister and will be hard put to it now
not TO starve My brother is dead.
VIC have nothing to depend on for
lving-nothing and nobody"
You've me" quoth Matte brusque
ly.
Well not be able to afford a ser
sant now, Matte" said the old lady
very sorrowfully.
You'll have a servant. Miss pris.
ella, as long as I've pair Of hands
TO do your work"
And for no reasoning Of Miss Pris-
elias would Matte budge an inch |
froni her decision.
Miss olimer had o feeble ennstitu- |
iio1 and he shock Of her brother /
$ d len dsath made chronic invalid /
of hs-. Aiisa Miriam wls almost az I
h-lrless in ha@ way. and il is hard to |
tell what would hgvc become Of thc (
siste~s had il not been for Matte. 81
VAS their sole support. but the re- I
mlikable thing is that nobody knew |
l. except poor old Priscilla herself /
Inc girl gu9rdel her mistress nridc /
as carefully as /; it were her own.
As soon as passible Matte started /
tie various small industries by which |
she managed To keep the pot hoiline [
for three. The little white house be-
longcd 10 the sisters. and that le'
scned her difficulties somewhat; stu /
IL wss no light task she had under
aiken. She was Al work early ami |
late. and WIS withnl the cherries. 1