The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-15
Young clasp that had helped him

Through 80 many years, and gropeC
about until he touched his sisters hand
Until after the funeral Miss Matte
was like one dazed, but not softened
More grim than ever, going about with
set lips and red, swoolen eyes, a pa.
thetic and yet an awe-inspiring figure
in her deep black. She repulsed all
proffers of sympathy almost fiercely,
and did not exchange half dozen
words with poor Betty.
After Daniel had been laid to rest,
however, and all was over, when they
were alone in the little kitchen and
the shop wa. once more open, Miss
Matte said something that. almost
made Betty's heart stand still.
"You-you don't want me here?'
the girl gasped when she could trust
her voice. "You wish me to 60 away?"
Il think it will be BEST" Daniels
sister answered, in hard dry tone.
"You and I have never agreed, Eliza.
beth Holmes. I never liked you, and
I always thought my brother was mis-
taken In having you here. But 1 will
not be unjust. You shall have time to
find something to do, and If you need
any help you need not fear to ask for
Iit."
Betty CROPPED her way to her own
tiny room. She was taken by surprise
and bewildered, although she had not
supposed, any more than Miss Matte
herself, that things would have gone
on unchanged forever. Only she had
not looked FOR such an abrupt disrup-
ton as this, and had hoped that in
time she might win Miss Mattie's lik-
ing and pay part of her debt to Daniel
by being help and comfort to bis sis.
ter; and now all was apparently so
miserably over. -.
When Daniel died George Marsh was
away on business for hi- father, and
no message came from him to Betty,
although she expected it. There had
been no formal engagement between
them, but his previous conduct had not
prepared her for his silence in her time
of trouble. But days passed and
brought no message. Only, as her
heart grew heavier, Miss Matte had
become more sour, and had looked at
her with an ,uneasiness in which def
ance and struggling shame had been
mingled. ~ 49,. =
Daniel had left no will. Apart from
the shop there had been little to be-
queath, and he had taken 1t for grant
ed that his sister and cousin would re-
main together. Thus it happened that
there was no provision for Betty, te-
yond few pounds which had been
her mothers, and which Daniel had
refused to touch, and had allowed her
to keep as nest egg in case of need.
Had it been different and herself indie
pendent, she might have found it ea-ier
to plead and reason with Miss Matte;
but, things being as they were, she
could not persist after one answer she
received.
my brother, Daniel, was always
talking about your cleverness and tai
ent for business. I don't think you
ought to need to ask for q homo and
charity when you know there is no
room TOR you here"
Betty turned away, with her face
white and her lips pressed close to re-
strain q sharp answer. She telt she
could not stop after that insult. But
she did not judge her cousin. Her
quick girls instinct told her that be-.
meath all Miss Mattie's grimness and
sharp and bitter speeches there was q
quivering pain and crying out for
Inc dead brother, who had been every
thing in her circumscribed life, and
whom another, although innocently,
had seemed to draw away from her.
SO it had come about that when Betty
had seen her box lifted into the car.
rier's cart, and turued and taken her
farewell at The shop, q swift impulse
caused her to 60 back and kiss the
withered. cold cheek.
Miss Matte flushed ever 80 little,
but the girl was gone on her way to
the station and to London; and, after
q pause, Daniels sister gave up start
ing down the road, and drew herself
up with more than usual firmness.
Some friends Of her father, who had
not forgotten her, had obtained Betty
a situation in an Office In the city. AT
first she was given only the most SIM
pie duties; but, as time went on. her
value was understood, and she was en-
trusted with: more important work, to
which she proved herself quite equal.
It came to be acknowledged In the Of
flee that, If she chose to remain, Miss
Holmes was much surer of her position
and promotion than many who had
been there long before her. ...
Yet, although she did her duty and
kept brave front to the world, her
heart was heavy. She could not forget
Daniel or the shop in Little GorstOn,
nor help thinking sadly of Miss Mat
tie, whom she knew must be growing
old and lonely. She wrote two letters;
but the first was not answered, and the
second was returned unopened, ad-
dressed in Miss Mattie's stiff hand
writing. Then Betty sighed, but even
then could not forget Daniels dying
words; and, except her own returned,
she had no letters from her old home
From Little Gorston, therefore, came
no news, and she could not prevail on
herself to 60 there during the holidays,
although q longing to see Daniels
grave was strong on her. She felt that
she was not wanted by any one there.
and that she would only make her pain
harder to bear by the visit. To this
resolution she kept firm, until the
months lengthened into two years.
and then something happened.
A great deal Of the work in the Office
had to do with outside law matters,
and it was part of Betty's work to copy
confidential legal papers. 1t happened
therefore, that one afternoon bundle
Of red tape bound documents was
placed on her desk, and that within
five minutes afterwards she was in the
private office of the head of the firm.
II must 60, SIR" she said, ''as soon as
possible. am very sorry, but If this
is true I cannot stop, indeed"