The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-04-11

l
nings. She made the stipulations that h
was not to speak of the transactions to an.
one. and that he would row the boat t.
the gate of her garden when she wanted it
The plan worked well and Matte spen
many long hour on the cold, dark water
after her old ladies were safely disposed o
for the night.
Meanwhile, it dawned upon the heav!
but calculating brain of Peter Small. Mat
tie 5 cousin, that the girl would make {
desirable wife; she was so active and 81
well gathered, if report spoke truly.
Peter was not an ill-favored fellow, anC
Matte, being one of those who are keenly
sensitive to kindness, felt most kindly dis
posed toward him. She was so free from
self-interest herself that it was the last
thing she suspected in others.
Before long Peter spoke of marriage.
The girl received his proposal encourag-
ingly, but told him she was not free to
marry so long as the old ladies lived. The
young mans amazement was followed by
something ike contempt. Still, he did
not believe that this was anything more
than a whim.
As the weeks passed, however, and his
persuasions were of no avail to move Mat
tie from her resolve, he became very an
gry in secret. He did not quarrel with
her outright, because Of his exaggerated
notion of her monetary value.
He cudgeIed his brains for some way of
bringing her to reason, as he phrased it,
and at last hit upon scheme. 1t was
only likely to occur to a selfish and un-
serupulous man, but that was of no oonse-
quence to Peter.
One night, on the plea of helping Mat
tie with the lines, Peter stepped aboard
the cobble and rowed her out to the fish
ING ground Anchoring the boat securely,
he seated himself on thwart within reach
of the painter.
Matte had tried to dissuade him from
accompanying her and she was surprised
be should ignore her wish. Still, she was
not altogether displeased to have bis com
pany.
Ii was one Of those nights in which the
dim starlight seems to intensity the dark
ness Of land aud sea The heaving waters
had a phosphoreseent CLEAN, aud the
waves mosned sulleuly as the wind from
the east swept across them in singing
gusts
But for Peters companionship Matte
would have felt the solitude 'eerie.
Yet they had little to say to each ether.
They worked with 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 vet, lass, quoth Peter in a
dry tone. Il came out here tonight
meaning to get your promise to marry me
a fortnight from now, and Wen up an
ehor only when you We given il
.'YOa Il row me ashore at once, Peter,
or III never forgive you, cried Matte,
amazed and indignant.
'Iu row you ashore as soon as you
give me your word-no, ill then, said
Peter doggedly,
You're never in earnest ? Matte
was beginning to tremble little in the
darkness
Am | not ? I'm thinking 1 We pinned
you this time, my lass, aud he laughed
e1ultantly.
Matte was speechless for the moment
dared BY the revelation Of his character.
Il seemed to her that she looked suddenly
into gulf of horrid darkness What a
cruel heart he must have to think of tax
ing so mean an advantage, He knew so
well how afraid she was lest the old ladies'
should learn of these midnight excursion
of hers Ii would break Miss Priscilla 5
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 eyes; her
own silence would insure that
"Wel, are you content to stop here
ill daylight ?" cried Peter, breaking in on
her troubled thoughts There will be a
fine stir at the cottage when the Miss
Lorimers wake up and want their break
fast, he added craftily.
At this Matte sprang to her feet and
stretched across to grasp the anchor rope,
but he held her of. Then he taunted
her with her powerlessness.
She confded 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 useless.
Come, Matte, be a sensible woman
for once, and give in. 1t beats me to
know what you make such a to-do for. -
Matte answer was a cry of despair.
1t was that l heard as was returning to
the coastguard station after my night s
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 generosity he had none.
He was hard as flint He would keep his
word in spite of all she could say or do.