The Portland daily press., 1892-09-14
A FAIR BLOCKADE BREAKER.
BY T. g. De Leon.
"Merciful Cod WIZ am I 50 help

leSSp On, II L but dared! MISS clay
cried aloud, as her hands dropped list
less from the lattice. t'Oh, If Bessie
were but here! Father, aid me now!''
As though in answer to her prayer
the door opened hastily, and the girl
she longed for, running in painting,
passed her arm about the other as she
followed her gaze below.
81 thought of you, Caro-, so helpless
up here!'' she gasped. 'sThere might be
some one you knew; some friend"
''There! Evan. my cousinI'' Carolyn
Clay cried, trembling in her eagerness.
''Thank God that He sent you! See
the tall boy-no, not that-the coatless
onel Bess, he is Evan-the one cap
tured that night for me, You must
'All right I know" The other an
swered, rapidly; and the warm kiss she
paused to press ON her friends cheek
told her that she was understood
Down to the street at breakneck
speed went the young girl, calling to a
negro with coffee can as she snatched
some bundles from the hall table and
ran hatless into the cold air. For by
this time the surging crowd-and in It
some Of the best and most noted blood
of Maryland-was pressing close upon
the guard, but still kept back by the
barrier of rifles at port"
Passing rapidly down the line, Bessie
Westchester paused opposite Evan,
working her way through the crowd,
close up to the barrier of steel. Then,
watching eagerly, she managed to catch
his eye, and-the natural gallantry of
the Virginian aided by theevident inter-
est in her expressive face-heldit fixed
upon her. A puzzled look stole across
the young scouts features, as he won
dered whether her intent regard meant
that they had met before. Evidently he
had been singled out; for though deep
er tint dyed her soft cheeks, that gaze
never left him, and to the query his eye
brows sent over the guards shoulder
came scarce perceptible movement Of
her own, followed by the bare suspicion
Of nodded assent. Not one bit fsp,
Evan knew~ithen that the girl had
message for him, or had possibly seen
him before; and, standing coatless there
under the biting wind. his elastic spirit
carried him back to all scenes of his in
frequent absences from home, and adj
miration for the pretty, graceful wom-
an, SO plainly interested in him, mingled
with his wonderment sufficiently to
make him forget his sorry plight and
singular costume for the time.
Scan we not give the prisoners some
coffee?' Bessie asked Of the trim young
lieutenant passing down the line. And
she threw all the witchery Of voice and
lace into the query.
every sorry, MISS" the officer an
ewered, courteously, pausing to raise
his cap, then hating in evident admira-
ton. "But our orders are very strict.
It is positively forbidden to allow any
intercourse-Fan back, there; Clear
the roadwayl" he interrupted himself
suddenly.
The old general was riding, slowly
and alone, down the line, looking on
the captives with eyes that held more
Of pity than Of curiosity. At the lieu
tenants tone the people instinctively
fell back to the sidewalk, long Injured
to authority and we'll taught the
necessity of obedience 10 its behests
Only Bessie Westchester stood her
ground, now leftentirely alone by rapid
retreat Of her friends, but perfectly
quiet and at ease.
II beg pardon, miss, %again the young
Heutenant's hand went to his. cap, the
general now close, upon them, but with
face turned aside, ''but I fear you did not
hear"
''oh, yes, heard, thank you," she
answered, with smile and another
glance into the young mans face that
brought the color to It. Then. calmly
and gracefully, as though waiting to
receive guest, the 1.-The little figure
remained perfectly still In the very
path of the slow moving horse, until his
muzzle, almost touched her hair. Then
the little hand was raised,to stroke his.
face; hut the upgallant brute SHE'D i'm
patiently as though resenting caress
from a stranger.