Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-08-01

hard, scanned face showed j, inner
strength well suited to his Moody.
Cleaner cut and frmer than, usual with
the negro, Pete's features were grave
and stern, the thin, blue lips set, as
though used to sudden peril and his
were the motto of the Douglas:'" Ready;
aye readyl''
The clatter OF hoof and, wheels grew
clearer; then Meredith's familiarS trap
appeared and drew up at the cabin.
Here we are, Pete" Mckee fcried,
merrily, dismounting as fast slslirts
permitted, and assisting Miss (Clay's
light descent from her cold perch
''Sarvant, Mars Kee! How yo'[mar2"
the negro answered, with graveN bow,
but showing no surprise at the familiar
voice coming in such questionable
shape. Had Original Sin come in that
trap and spoken in that voice, PeteNhad
accepted them as comtersign and pa
role.
'And here am again. Pete," the girl
said, as she threw back ther veil. "Can
we get across nowr'
"Sarvant, Missy" the negro repeated
''Glad yo's cum, sholy. 1 has inspected
yo' de TO- las trips"
''Thank you. Can we get across to-
night?" she again asked, anxiously.
"Reckn," the black replied, as grave
ly as briefly. "De creeks is scummed
wild ice, but cts light, an kin wul1
out onto de flats, sholy.i Den, eff de rib
Der emit Close
But SoiH it be2'' shet nterrupted, inn
patiently.
"De marster knows" fPete answered, !
gravely as a Covenanter. "He emit send-I
in Pete no marracles; so dis ole nigga'sI
acknowledgements don't,go no fudder dam
de presunt But rec2x'nl"
And we reckon on some hot coffee,
Pete" Mckee said. ''Come in, Miss
Clay. You need it, after that freezing,
ride"
"Sarvant, Mars Kee," the negro said, i
removing his wooden cap, as they en-f
tered. "De coffee's dar; an, wild del
lady's permission, I'll go tend ter Mars
Car'rs boss"
While the worn horse was led into a
sheltered glade, well back from the
road, and rubbed brislxly from muzzle
to heel by the brawny black, Mckee
poured steaming coffee. Then Carolyn
Clay produced Mrs. Gray's much-praised
tin.
mo, not that" the youth cried
''Those are your marching rations.
Here's our Maryland club
cookery"
He Owed deep into Mrs. Clonan's
pocket, coming up with a package
wrapped in oil-silk and packed with the
best of cold substantials; and the adj,
venturous pair brealfasted with appe-
tite natural to frosty morning, largely.
al cd hIy
newed. Then, as the negro again
doomed gigantic in the low doorway,
the girl asked:
ANY patrol boats IN the river, Pete?'',
PLENTY, missy; but dem doan' count.
Mos O. dey knows Pete, an left him
fish onquesh'shonable."
But Mars Carl said transports were
passing up. night before last" Mckee
said.
Denis all gone up t'wa'ds town." the
black replied. LAS night, wen mex
my 'specshun, der warn't one o. dey in
de ribber. But does 'spfse dose trans
puts sholyp'
"They are usually full of green re-
cruits," Miss Clay said, quietly, "who
shoot as they hail."
"An' denis Gurus. too. Denis fon' o
lowerin' boats an 'spectin' hsh'mun wot
de patrul boats lows ter pass"
God forbidw the girl exclaimed.
Should an inspection come tonight. we
are lostl'
But none will comer' Mckee cried,
gayly, quoting
'The stars have said #, and the voice
Of my own prophet and oracular soul
Confirms the shining sibylsi"
"You are as safe now as though al.
ready in Stuart's camp. But come; the
day will be q long one, anyway, end
tramp In this air will help, after your
imprisonment"
They walked brislrly through the clear
sunshine that Frightened all nature,
but gave little warmth, plunging into
an error of crossed paths that seemed as
familiar as Charles street to her escort,
Spite of his awkward attire, that
caught In underbrush and vine, and Of
his painted face, made moro absurd by
garish Light, Mckee proved himself cap
ital company. He tallced poetry and
TRNnW11A nGnaa fAAA1a