The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-12-21
Abruptly, almost roughly, Miss Clay
ipnorad the n, ,.os,tto a.. 4 -.

Io IN II. M -I-0r-S ~ANg tSPuuidLcu tuo
You are wrong-utterly wrong,
child" she cried. 81 do not care for
that--that man.. On the contrary. I
hate-despise him. lie is not ct to let
your feet spurn him-far less to touch
your hand Does not your mother know
suspect" ~
&'What?" Bcssie's eyes grew wide
with wonder, as the other paused sud.
denly Why, Carol never saw YOU
SO excited-s6worked up. It must, in.
deed, be something terrible! Tell me,
please"
Miss Clay's face darkened, and her
breath came hard and quick. She
clinched her hands 6ercely; but still she
did not speak, only staring at the other.
Then, with great effort, she turned a
Z deadly white face, lit by cleaning eyes,
upon her;
bessie, that man is He It was
who" Memory, gratitude whatever
stronger feeling 1t may have been-was
too much for her Again she broke
down, sinking in her chair and covering
her face, with the piteous moan:
"0h, Godh cannotl-cannott"
Wondering more still, but still deep
ly sympathetic, Bessie Westchester
watched this unwonted weakness of the
woman who had been her model of fear.
lessness and strength.
Only one instant, though. The next
she was lSneeling by her side, her arms
close about the heaving bosom, her lips
pressed upon the glorious, bowed head
Forgive me, dear Please forgive
me! ! was silly even to mention him
worse than silly to press you so. thinl
understand"
Once more Miss Clay broke roughly
from the circling arms. Once more she
stood erect with raised head and blazing
eyes; no weakness on her face now
only resolve so fixed as to make It's lines
seem hard and cruel.
Bessie Westchester," she said, In
cold, metallic tone, ''you do not under
stand me, but-you shall Not foI
base, selfish reason, not TO protect my
self from silly suspicion, but to protect
you and yours, so good TO me, tcil
speak! That man, whose name ! have
sworn shall never pass my lips-tha,
man, who has my Just contempt and
scorn, is"
The door opened quickly and Mrs
Gray stood in It, painting from hasty as
cent and with troubled face.
"Caro, Willie is here"
THANK God! am readyr The light
Of battle on her face melted into tende,
longing; hope to be realized swept
away thought Of right and justice a
the words brought plainly before her
the wide, dark river, the yearning loved
ones far beyond.
Stop, dear" the matron said, stop
ping with gesture the quick grasp foi
hat and gloves, the careful, instructive
touch for precious packages sewed int
the skirt. willie must see you first
Some difficulty has
difficulty? oh, do not say he comes
TO dissppoint mel" The color hope had
driven to the girls face dropped out
leaving II ashen. her lips quiverine
soundlessly.
mot SO bad rs that, hope,r Mrs
Gray answered, gently; and, stepping
to the door, she called softly, and VII
lie Mckee tiptoed into the room.
His face was grave and troubled, hi,
manner wholly changed from the boy
ish exquisite who had lounged from
that house two hours before. Those
were days that made many men play
strange parts; and Willie Mckee was /
natural actor.
ut disappoints me, Miss Clay, almost
as much as yourself" he said, quietly
81 had set my heart on getting you
across tonight; and believe you know
that to do SO | would risk anything
save one-your capture"
II must always risk that" the CIR
cried, impatiently. 81 have no fear
Come, let us startl"
Not until you know ALL" the mar
answered, firmly. Ordinary danger
would not deter me, Of course. Every
thing Is ready-medicines packed
passes secured. But, remember, thii
time your capture would be more seri
Gus than ever before. You are undei
gravest suspicion"
eyes, know. But, oh, have beer
so carefull--seen no one. None coulC
dream was here"
"Your presence In Baltimore 4
known" Mckee answered, gently