The Portland daily press., 1892-09-19
CHAPTER XII
Ax1eHFs MASQUERADE

ANIGHTs MASQUERADE
+! With equally rapid step. but farlight-
errheart, Willie Mckee strode through
THE bitter night towards. his own home.
The streets were quite deserted, the
weather keeping indoors al not forced
ito be out; and. as he sped along, the
youth hummed snatches Of opera
ibouffe.
Suddenly broad glare, ofalight 'teEl
upon him from the hall ofathe Union
club. As It's door 8 opened slight
mans m military overcoat, ran down
the steps. Facing the moonlight, the
menrecognized each other.
sGoodeveuing, Maj. Bond"
s'-Good evening MI. Mckee, Wallting
towards homea FIJI join you" And.
dropping into STEP, the federal officer
wentton, in seeming Innocence: Have
mot seen you3fr several days. Been
lducking agsinq"
..No; not si1ceiIs saw you last. My
mother has been rather SICK" Mckee
answered, readily. splendid weather
for ducks, too. The shooting will be
splendid tomorrow"
care you going'to trythem? I'll give
you permit" the major replied, rath-
er quickly, it seemed, to the already
warned Baltimorean. But he answered,
naturally:
''No; but thanks allsthe same. can't
leave my mother. Hertrusted old serv-
ant is called suddenly away; serious
illness of her daughter. She leaves to-
T ,e% c+or on6 yfoy chief
nurse to her substitute"
''Well, shall be glad to furnish you,
permits the other said, courteously,
''at any time. Really, theyeare scarcely.
necessary now, but may be at any mo-
nent. Call on me without hesitation,
/ am something of a huntsman myself. ~
Indeed? Wish I had known that be-
FORE Mckee /. answered, promptly.
However, better late than never; and
I shall be glad to have yon join our very
nett trip. Here's,my door"
Thanks. Good night" the federal
said, muttering, as he turned away:;
ssNo harm in him. FiGzhugh was right
he's as big fool as he looks. They
were mistaken; he needsano watching. NJ
Suddenly he turned, stepping rapidly
back to Mckee, strangely delayed by
the familiar night-latch.
Shy the way, Mr.. Mckee, who is Mr..
Carroll Meredith?"
Carroll? Why, major, he's the club
bachelor of the town; our Maryland'sl
Maj Pendennis.' Don't you know
him?"
ssNe; only heard his name. Is he a
hunter, too9"
"a very Ninrod," McKee answered.
Ilightly-'sthe best shot and surest cast
Iof fly in all Maryland. AS you're a
hunter, you must meet him. But come
In and have nip before you turn in.''
! He threw the door wide, turned UP
the hall gas, and, for the first time, a
iunionist foot had passed over Mrs. Nc
KEGS jealous threshold.
sTry that brandy" Willie said in the
idining-room. my father imported II
thirty years ago. We don't use it often;
Mary Clonan must have left it out"
'sMiss Clonsn has good TASTE" the
major said, employing his glass with a
sigh of satisfaction. 81 drink to hsr
Judgment: cognac like that is not to be
found often"
's'Miss' Clonan is reliable grand
mother of about sixty" the other re-
turned, with a laugh. "She is the
servant whose daughters illness keeps
me from the ducks. By the way, she
leaves at dawn; and, as you said the
passes might be needed, would you
mind giving her one?" he added, natur-
ally, as he refilled the majors glass.
''She mag need it," the latter an
severed, courteously. "rll write her
lone, anyway, for her presence Of mind
in leaving that cognac out" He took
out a pass-boolz and began to write.
lssBetter make it for herself and daugh,
ter, Ell? She may wish to move the
girl, later
The pass given, the major ushered out
with courteous pressure to call again,
but the door eagerlE locled behind him.
Mckee sped softly up to his own apart
1ae,,ts pO11ce there he onened that ar
canum-that holy of holies-containine
his theatrical outfit. Costumes, tight;
of every hue, cloaks, wigs, boards
swords, and numberless pots, pans and
bottles of unguents and colors for
makeup" stood revealed in well
ordered confusion. Quickly his prac
tiaed eye ran over the whole, selecting
two wigs, several pairs of heavy tights
q lot of pads and female busts, and nu
.nerous pots Of paint-chosen with most
care Packing them into valise, he
passed no;selessly into the street and
regai1ed Meredi1h's house. He entered
without ringing. and softly opened the
door Of the sitting-r(Sn. The old bach.
ielor was stretched OF ease in his great
leathern chair, o warm smoking jacket
enveloping his sturdy frame, and his
slippered feet stretched cozily to the
are. his huge meerschaam flli''r tbs