Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-09-06
NO. 80.

II was one Of those nights In which
the dim starlight seems to intensity
the darkness Of land and sea The
hcaving waters had a phosphoresceut
CLEAN, and the waves m0aned sulien-
ly as the wind from the east swept
across thrm in stingihg 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 a
will. Fish were plentiful. and in a
couple Of hours they had caught as
many as Matte wanted.
Well be Weighing anchor. now"
she said
Not quite yet, lass" quoth Peter
in dry tone. 81 came out here to.
night meaning to get your promise to
marry me fortnight from now. and
Wen mp anchor only when you've
given it,"
You'll row me ashore at once. Pc
ter. or III never forgive you." cried
Matte. amazed and indignant.
I'm row you ashore as soon as yos
give me your word-not I'M then
said Peter doggedly.
You're never in earnest?" Matte
was beginning TO tremble a little ip
the darkness.
Am ! not? I'm thinking r'vp
pinned you this time, my lass ard
he laughed exultantly
Matte was speechless for the no
ment-dazed by the revelation OF his
character. II seemed to her that she
looked suddenly into a gulf OF hGfrid
darkness. What cruel heart he must
have to think OF taking so mesa an
advantage. He knew so well how
afraid she was lest the old ladies
should learn Of these midnlgi It ex-
cursions of hers. 1t would bresk Miss
Priscilla's heart to know Of the hard
ships she had borne, however cheer
fully for her sake As for tie other
sister, she would be disgrared for
ever in Miss Miriam's eyes; her own
silence would insure that.
We'll. are you content TO stop here
till daylight cried Peter breaking
in on her troubled thoughts. There
will be fine stir at the cottage when
the Miss Lorimers wake up and want
their breakfast he added craftily.
At this Matte sprang TO her feet
and stretched across to grasp the an
chor rope but he held her Of Then
he tsunted her with her powerless-
ness.
She conflded to me, long afterward.
that she knew the sort of despairing
rage that tempts 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 it was use
less.
Come. Matte. be a sensible woman
for once. and give in. It beats me to
know what you make such to-do
for"
Matties answer was cry Of de-
spair. II was that / heard as was
returning 10 the enasignard station
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 Matte. She saw so clearly that
the wife of Peter Small would have
little power to administer 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 7
never thought to-" Her words ended
in a sob
Peters anger rose He began to
threaten and to bully her. thinking
probably that her tears betokened
weakness that demanded such treat
ment. But he was struck dumh If
sudden by the sound OF approaching
oars.
Aboy. there." Matte cried out. her
voice full of joyful relief.
It sGfiices TO tell that I rescued Mat
tie by cutting the cobble adrift from
her moorings when the surly fellow
at the bow still refused to haul up
the anchor for am merely The chron-
lcler of page in Mattle's life which
proves her to have heart 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 Mattie's
eyes were unusually dreamy Coming
up behind her unobserVed. SAID:
Il can tell what you are thinking
Of"
dare say The dear old ladies.
i miss them sometimes even now. You
see, since the babies grew up there
arc none of you quite helpless
enough. She replied with a whimsical
smile
I'm soon be an old decrepit man."
/ remarked cheeffully
She looked a loving reproach.
Priscilla Mirism," she called to
he YOUNGSTERS come 10 dinner.
Father is home New York Times.
New Kind 81 Z; as4
A glass which may be considered as
new. although known for rome years