MAID MATTIE.

"I t

both w»r« tUU comparatively youn*. iys malnu narked' reserve, and had mixed little

There was always a profusion of old-fashioned bloasoras In the garden that sloped from this llttls white house to the water's edge. My early recollection of It Is of a spot where the sun shone more brightly than elsewhere. The mingled scents of the flowers and the salt sea are as fresh and sweet as me story that was enacted here years **Mattle was maid to Miss Priscilla and her sister Miss Miriam, who dwelt la the cottage then. When little more than a child she was "taken home" by the two elderly spinsters, who dealt most kindly by the orphan from that day. The Misses I.orimer were spoken of as “very gepteel ladles," although their antecedents were unknown. They had settled In the fishing hamlK when >■ young. I ways maintained a ind h with the inhabitants. On the day Mattie learned something of the past and realised fully the precarious future of her old ladles, life became an astounding, but above all. a stern reality-to her. A letter came that morning addressed In a strange hand to Miss l»Hmer. The postmark

mcr.tR of goldI and the palatial homes of wealthy banters—it was there the bsnkcr lived who was own brother to the Mlseds Lorlmer. Mattie handed the letter to Miss Priscilla where she sat at the head of the frugal but dainty breakfaat table, and left the room. The door was all but closed when she heard her mis-

tress 017:

fHc Isvlead. Miriam: Oh. Miriam. George is dead:" The distress in the voice'she lovpd .held MatUe. "What!" cried Miss Miriam. "No. no. It Is not possible. The debt: God would not call him home before his work was done:" "Hia work Is done. The last of the debt was cleared a week ago." Miss Priscilla answered with a forced calm that hurt the listener more than her poignant cry. The letter rnstled in the old lady's trembling fingers with the sound of autumn leaves In the

dry sob.

of the sisters had shed a tear. They would not mourn too grievously

wintry wind, and Miss Mirlam'a low moaning Intensified the effect of sudden storm and disaster. "Georgo gone. George gone—and he the; youngest. Wc have nobody now. What win become of, ns?” Fear made the last words faint. "We have God." said Priscilla. —Yon do not say. 'Our Father.' " Miriam's voice had hardened strangetT-.\ . $lslcr, 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 sonAwful fHence.fell on the sunny room, the windows of which faced the south and the sea. The thoughts of the sisters were Incommunicable even to each other. "Wc have not seen George for 25 years." Miriam remarked after a time. "Ay. he grudged the expense of the long lourBey—dear laddie!” Priscilla's voice broke In a dry sob. but neither

. They aly the

whose life bad been ao noble in their eyes In its stern devotion to a high Ideal of rectitude. Besides, they had known a worse sorrow than such a deathjtp George Larimer'* can bring. / ' "What d^es the lawyer say about— about hla circumstances?" It was Mir-' lam who put the ancons question. She was one of those Hlmld women who live In constant fear of destitntlon—they who are Instinctively c6nscioui, poor things, of their Incapac-

ity.'

"He bad a decent burial, and—and . there seems to hf a little ovef— enough to ilovour torn." "Thank God.” ^ It was at this moment the little maid outside the floor burst Into uncontrollable weeping, end the elder of the sisters rose from her place and followed her to the kitchen. Through her tears the girl saw how Miss Priarllla's ^.cxprenslon altered when alone with —It had turned to one of blank despair. “Mattie." she wlepered. "1 most tell somebody or It will be too much for me. I had to spare .poor Miriam, but that was a falsehood i told her.” “You may call It that ma'am, I don't." and Mgttlc set her lips in a determined way she had. while a look of loving admiration ahone through her tears. "I'm afraid you don't understand. Mattie." continued Mies Priacllla. speaking with painful effort “My slater and I will be hard put to it now not to starve My brother to dead. We have'nothing to depend on for a living—nothing and nobody." "You're me." quoth Mattie brusquely / • it be able U I the old 1

a I've a* pair erf hi

"xai'tor oo'reaaoalnff of Mtoa PitoHlla's would Mattie badge aa Inch

from her decision.

Miss 1.0rimer had a feeble conel tk>n sad the shock of her broth . -.sudden death made a rhroalr la valid ■ of -her. Mtoa Miriam was* atmeet aa helpless la her. way. sad it to hard to

tell what would have become of the slaters had It not been for Mattie. She was their, sole support, but the remarkable thing la that nobody knew It except poor old Priacllla heraelf. The girl guarded her mistreat' pride aa carefully as If It were her own. As soon as possible Mattie started the various small Induatrlee by which she managed to keep the pot boiling for three. The little white house belonged to the sisters, and that lessened her difficulties somewhat; still. It waa no light task she had undertaken. She waa at work farly and late, and was withal the. cheeriest little woman you would meet In a day's march. To the villagers who qnixzod her about her Industry and her earnings she declared she was "toying by” for her “providing"—she was not minded to be a portlonlem bride. Her visits to the neighboring town with supplies tbf fruit and vegetables had set the gossips agog, and they had many dark hints to make regarding her honesty. When the girl Invaded their own ground, however, and began to buy and retail the creels of fish, the sight of her denravlly could no longer be endured, and they went In a deputation to Inform and caution the old ladles. The only bad effect qf the Ignorant Interference of these busybodles was to make Miss Miriam more Intolerant in private of "Mattll's eccentricities" md a little suspicious that the girl was. greedy. Mattie's Indefatigable energy became.a source of Irritation to the delicate old maid who had not the key to it. and poor Miss Priscilla's office of mediator was not always a sinecure. But they reldom quarreled outright, for Mattie rarely forgot that Mips Miriam had been "kept in the dark." and. besides, she bad a tactful way with her. Scenes like the following were of frequent occurrence, however, Mattle!s bright face would look round the sitting room door of a morning. "Oh. Miss Miriam. If you're not too busy would you mind plucking a few young peas? 1 must finish the washing, but I would like to take them to the market today. They're scarce." $ Mit* Miriam would continue to nibble the end of her quill pen reflectively. (nhe is seated at her desk; it is Mies Miriam's belief that she has the poetic gift, and her time Is much occupied In Its exercise.) '•it’s such a lovely morning." says Mattie persuasively. "Dear. near. If you only knew what It means In he disturbed at such moments. But you have bo tact, no consideration: yon will never learn. Mattie.” cries the lady pettishly. •Tm so sorry, ma'am, but the peas will soon be past their best, and--” "The peas, Indeed. And what of my ideas? If I do not plurk them when they are ripe, they wither also." "But think of the price they'll fetch." cries the maid, her mind upon the peas. 'The price. Thank goodness. I have never put my gift to base uses—and never will. Mittie. It grieves me to see you becoming -ao mercenary. 1 do not think I ran poaaibly afford ir the "Dear Mb ney to :-n for Mtoa Priacllla?' She enjoyed the last ao much. I aasurc you. It's cot for myself this time." 'That alters the case entirely. Certainly. certainly, we must get a chicken for Priacllla.” Then the good lady sets her cap straight, and takes her way contentedly to the sunny gar-

den.

It was during the first winter—a severe one, as luck would have It— that Mattie had her hardest struggle to keep the wolf from the door. She not yet started the little poultry farm which yielded her a tolerable Income later on. The garden was empty, save for the small household supply of winter potatoes. Fruits, flowers ami vegetables were no longer available, and the sailings and catches qf the fishing fleet were ..most IrregnIn spite of the girl's efforts to earn enough by her needle, the pinch of want was felt In the little home. It was Mia* Priscilla's painful anxiety mb account of her slater and Mattie that roufed the totter to her utmost endeavor. She bethought her of a plan, and straightway entered into a'compact with a cousin of here, young fisherman who had shown himself. very friendly toward her of late. He was to lend her hto cohbl^ of a night to go' a fishing in the firth on her own account, and he would hare a percentage of her winnings, made the stipulation* that be was not to apeak of the transaril on to any one. and that ht would' row the boat to tbe gate of her garden when ahe wanted it. Xthe plan worked well and Mattie rpent many a long hour on the cold, dark water* after her Old ladles were esfely disposed of for the night Meanwhile: It dawned upon heavy but calculating brain of 1 Small. Mattie's cousin, that the girl would make a desirable wUr: ahe ao active and so wMl gatksrad. tf report spoke tnOr. Peter was not an 111 favored fellow, and Mattie, being one of those who keenly sensitive to ktadsoae. !

not free to marry ao long as the old ladies llretf. The young man's amassment was followed by something like contempt Still, he did not believe that this waa anything more than a

whim-

Aa the weeks passed, however, and hto persuasions were of no avail to move Mattie from her resolve, he berams very angry In secret He did ‘ ' t, be etary value. He cudgeled hla brains for some wsy of bringing her to reason, aa ha phrased it, and at last hit upon a It waa only likely to occur to a selfish and unscrupulous man. but that waa of no consequents to

Peter.

One night

Mattl

:le with -the lines. Peter ird the cobble and rowed tie fishing ground: Anohc

the plea of helping iwed her out

to the ftahing ground:'' Anchoring the boat securely, be seated himself on thwart within reach of the painter. Mattie had tried to dissuade him om accompanying her. and she was surprised he should ignore her with. Still, ahe was not altogether dit-

to have his company.

1 one of thoee nights In which

the dim aUrllght seem* to intensify the darkness of land and sea. The heaving waters had a phosphorescent gleam, and the waves moaned sullenly as the wind from the east swept

was ao fere from aelf-laterret harwtf that It waa tire tore thing aha sated In

Irl recalved hto progcrei . but told him ahe was

please

It *

rross them In stinging gusts. But for Peter's companionship Mate would have felt the solitude "eerie." Yet they had little to say each other. They worked with a will. Fish were plentiful, and In a couple of hours they bad caught as many as Mattie wanted. "We'll be weighing anchor, now." she said. “Not. quite • yet. lass." quoth Peter In a dry.tone. “I came out here tonight meaning to get your promise to »rry me n /ortnlght from now. and si! up anchor only when “you've given it." You'll row me ashore at once. Pqter. or PH never forgive yon." cried Mattie, amazed and Indignant "111 row you ashore as soon as you give me your word—not till then.” said Peter doggedly. "You're never In earnest?" Mattie was beginning to tremble a little In the darkness. not? I'm thinking 1>T pinned you this time, my USs." and he laughed exultantly. Mattie was speechless for the moment—dazed by the revelation of his character. “Well, are you content to stop here till daylight?" cried Peter, breaking in her troubled thoughts. 'There will be a fine atlr at Ibe cottage when the Miss Larimers wake up and want their breakfast." he added craftily. A,t this Mattie sprang to her feet end stretched across to grasp the anchor rope, but he held her off. Then he taunted her with her powerleas-

ws.

Peter drove her back to the seat she had quitted. Then she shipped oars ‘ - 3 - - -~ .

li all

from It* moorings; but It "Come. Mattie, be a sensible woman for once, and give In. It beata me to know what you make such a to-do

for.”

Mattie's answer waa a cry of despair. it was thst I heard as I 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 bid ladles had nobody to look to but her? He would only sneer. She need not throw hefself upon his generosity; he had none. He waa hard as flint. He would keep hto -word In spit* of aH she could say or da Daylight would find her here If she did not prhmlse. Could she promise— for their sakes? But would It be best for them in the end? That question saved Mattie. She saw so clearly that the wife of Peter Small would hgve little power to administer tp others. "You can stay here till doomsSay. Peter, but you'll never get me to say HI marry you. That Idea Is gone,

once and for alL I've

1^

ESTABLISHED 1901.

Mother—1 am surprised, my dear, >is| you suffer a man'to kiss you. Daughter—But, mamma. I don't call It suffering. Rolllngstone Nomoss—D'ye t’lnk It’s good luck tc find a horseshoe? Tatterdan Torn—Yes. If dere’s a horse attached to It He (at the store)—This ocean breeze Is awful damp. It makes s fellow's mustache very salty. She (absentmindedly)—Yes. I noticed that "It's peculiar what makes most people busy," remarked Mrs. Koetlque. "What's that?" asked the Inquisitive. Mrs. Naybor. 'idle curiosity.” "That white cow," said the waggish farmer, “to the one that glvre milk.” "Ah.” exclaimed the city girl, "and those brown ones, I suppose, give beef tea." Mrs. Muggins—At any rate, Mrs. Stuckup never talks about her neighbors. Mrs. Buggins—Of course not She's always too busy talking about herself. They had been discussing the weather. T>et us talk about something pleasant." said the Wise Guy. “I had frosted feet last winter." volunteered the Simple Mug Hungry Hawkins—I onct answered a want ad. Tatterdon' Tom—Gwan. Wot was de Job? Hungry Hawkins— It was all a mistake A printer advertised fer a good feeder. rapa—What on earth do Bessie and that young man find to, talk aboui? Mamma—Oh. questions of the hour. I suppose. Papa—I'll bet they haven't the remotest Idea what the hour Is. The boat was Just off Tacony. where the saw works are. “What a beautiful view,” she exclaimed. "Yes.” he replied, "nere is a place where Dlsstons lends enchantment to the view." A load of peaches waa being driven to the canning factory. "There It la,” cried one peach, as the building loomed up In the distance. "Yes; wouldn't that Jar you?" exclaimed another peach.

jed my

opinion of you this night as I—as I never thought to—" Her words ended

In a sob.

Peter’s anger rose. He began to threaten and to bully her. thinking probably that her tears betokened a weakness tnst demanded such treatment. But be was .struck dumb of a sudden by the sound of approaching

Joyful It suffices to tell that I rescued Mattl# by cutting the cobble adrift from her moorings when the surly fellow at the bow still refused to haul up the anchor, for 1 am merely the chroaIcler of a page in Mattle'a life which proves her to have a heart as brave, generous and faithful aa that of any heroine of fiction.

old-fashioned

girls were chasing each the ' ‘ - -

sloe* Two

other round

eyes were unusually dreamy. Coming up behind her unobserved. 1 said: "I can tell what you are thinking ; I''tare say. The dear old ladles. 4 mire them sometimes even now. You sse. star? the babies grew up there are . none a* you quite helpless enough." she replied with a whimsical TH soon Was old decrepit maa." ‘ zzz'JSX-rsTL.*

THE SALVATION ARMY. Ill Grow I h and Work Dnrle* Thirty-live Toan of Ezperieaco. At the Congress hall, Clapton, on Monday night. General Booth, the leader of the Salvation Army, spoke on "The lesson of my life, as illustrated by the social and spiritual operations of the Salvation Army." Mr. T. Herbert Robertson. M. P.. presided. There were about 3500 people present. The general said that he regarded

by the army—a work Into which investigation was courted, as there was nothing to conceal They knew nothing of orthodoxy; the good old book was good enough for them, and they believed In everlasting heaven and everlasting hell He did not say that the army had been successful at all times and In all places; that was hardly to be expected wlftn it was remembered that they had gone to the lowest classes and also that they were tote comers in the field. What they were now doing fie regarded as only the fringe of what they would do. The army work was divided Into two classes, roe spiritual side and the social side. Although he did not like it. there were some people who wished tc help one side and some the other, and as an illustration of that he mentioned that a gentleman recently entered hto office and gave him £1000 to help forward the wark among the poor. Some Idea of that work was given In "Darkest England and tne Way Out." which had enabled him to give personally to (he army's work to the extent of £7000. Although they were only 35 years old, their flag was flying in 47 different ssuntries In which there were tens of thousands of Salvationists, numbers of 7200 separate societies; th*y had 14.000 offleers. with 40 000 lay officers and 17,000 bqpdsmen. They published their periodicals In SO dUtaent languages and preached salvation In 40 different tongues. They published 50.000,000 copies annually of their different publications.

which work- they had raised 1700 officers They sheltered 15.000 peopl* of the most wretched class; they provided beds for a penny and hot hatha for a half-penpy. Four million persons last year were provided with bods. 6,000,000 with meals; 77 workshops and factories had been started, and 36,189 men were given' worts tost year. As an-injure of the class of people the army reached he mentioned that in one of their Landon homes they had five men who had among them served 270 years In prison. Thirteen farms were worked th different parts, and he did not. despair of yet having s colony over the sea.—Landon Times. OMlia*d ter th« War Otorr. A celebrated surgeon met a young officer in Piccadilly the other day and

id. to sse you. I am saro you know I hare f portion alu In a Jar at home?" "Ah. thed the other. "I cun easily :. I hare got a berth In the "—Loudoo Vanity Fair. to a New York m

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