The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-10
A FAIR BLOCKADE BREAKER.
rxneHr by

own 6faan-6uiH EtEle romance that The
seffsecrtace and grave peril had been
incurred by some federal officer for sake
of her friends helplessuess in danger
perhaps, she told herself, for sake OF her
fair face.
And now the dark eyes of the listener
stood wide and her gentle bosom heaved
rapidly under the loose folds OF the
wrapper, as she heard the twice-told
tale for the last time, as she believed
followed the night escape through the
driving snow, welcomed the slow-coming
dawn, and thrilled at the first sight OF
Rosser's advance.
'fWhat a noble, selfiess herol' the
younger girl cried, after long-drawn
sigh of relief "And not even to know
his namel would have had more curl
osity, even then. But he mast be a gen.
tleman, Carol Base blood would never
have rislzed so much-been so tender
and trewe'-even for your eyesl''
Miss Clay's eyes were studying the
pictures in the fire. A half sigh trem-
bled to her lips; but she stifed it as she
answered, sadly:
HE was gentleman - before he
Joined virginia's enemies
''But, Caro-, they were not his enc
miles,
mo, seemingly not; only Tsrgmia's,"
the other answered, with sudden fierce
ness.
'sBut it is odd he never told you his
name. It would have taken but an in
slant; and if you two ever meet
again"
'sGod forbid that" Carolyn Clay rose
to her feet, towering taller in the flick
ering freight. 81 hope never to look
upon his face again!'
''How unconspromising you are!'' her
friend persisted. "Yet you owe him so
deep a debt-your life, perhaps"
eyes; owe him that-God help mel"
She turned away abruptly, as deep
surge Of color swept her pale face.
eyes; owe him debt can never pay
never! I owe him escape from spy's
death! I owe him-oh, Bess, I never
realized half ho,o much until / rode in
sight of those dear gray Jackets, st. An
drew's cross futtering so gayly over
them!'' She gazed absently into the
fire moment, the color still warm on
her face. "And, Bess, when told Col.
Randolph every word the tribe
man had said, he called me a little
hero said I had put Rosser under deep
est obligation, that he could strike the
Yankees in the rear and the road to
the river was open to me-"
81 wish I knew aoho he was" the
younger girl persisted, looking in
! tently into the Goals at dimly-
sketched procession with background
iof white lace and orange blossoms.
ssCaro, after all these dreadful days are
over, when peace comes again, you two
isosN meet again. Maybe this may bring
you closer"
Never! will never look upon his
face again. The words were low and
slowly spoken, but they had the solemn
cadence of dirge.
"You cannot tell" Bessie urged. ''We
may all be one people again some
day. No girl can read her own fate,
dear; unless-they used to say, now I
remember, that your willful heart had
found its MASTER"
"Hush! Oh! if you only knew, Bess!"
There was a world of self-pity, nearly
as much Of self-contempt, in the wom-
ans low tone. "Dear child, living as
you live, seeing only what you see, it is
hard indeed to understand us. Amid
the privations, the suffering, the danger
around me, should be worse than base
to think of such light things. Once,
perhaps, was very different"-the red
glow burned on her face once more, the
firm lips trembled an instant, ere she
went on gravely-"but, even then,
those rumors were idle"
Forgive me, dear, believe Oh!
Caro-, I forgot; serious things drove it
out Of my head; but aoho do you suppose
was here to-night?'
':How should I guess?" There was
more of WEAKNESS than Of interest in
Miss Clay's reply; but Unborn courtesy
forced the addition: 81 am such a
stranger-an exile-now."
Gan old friend of yours; and a very
good one, too, they said. Frankly, do
not like him, though it may be DIR.
Fell I think he should be in the army
our armyl But otherwise he's just
splendid Guess"
sit would be useless" Miss Clay an
swered, absently, CHANGING at the clock.
"Thanlx Heaven, it is two o'clock"
''No, you could never guess" Bessie
ran on, full of her romance. sit was
Pantom-''
fro BE CONTINUED
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