The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-10-01
XII.
--

With equally rapid step, but far light
er heart, Willie Mckee strobe through
the bitter night towards his own home.
The streets were quite deserted, the
weather keeping indoors all not forced
to be out; and, rs he sped along, the
youth hummed snatches of opera
bouffe.
Suddenly q broad glare Of light fell
upon him from the hall of the Union
club. AS its door opened a slight
man, in q military overcoat, ran down
the steps. Facing the moonlight, the
men recognized each other.
Good evening, Maj. Bond"
''Good evening, Mr., Mckee. Walking
towards home? I'll join you" And,
dropping into step, the federal officer
went on, in seeming innocence: .'Have
not seen you for several days. Been
ducking again?"
mo; not since / saw you last. My
mother has been rather sick," Mckee
answered, readily. Splendid weather
for ducks, too The shooting will be
splendid tomorrow"
Are you going to try them? I'll give
you a permit" the major replied, rath-
er quickly, 1t seemed, to the already
warned B~altimorean. But he answered,
naturally:
mo; but thanks all the same. / can't
leave my mother. Her trusted old serv-
ant is called suddenly away; serious
illness of her daughter. She leaves to-
night; SO l must stay and play chief
nurse to her substitute"
"Well, I shall be glad to furnish you
permits" the other said, courteously,
''at any time. Really, they are scarcely
necessary now, but may be at any mo-
ment. Call On m 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
1 shall be glad to have you join our very
next trip. Here's my door,"
Thanks. Good night" the federal
said, muttering, as he turned away:
mo harm in him. Fitzhugh was right;
he's as big a fool as he looks. They
were mistaken; he needs no watching ~
Suddenly he turned, stepping rapidly
back to Mckee, strangely delayed by
the familiar ni~ght-latch.
Shy the way, Mr.. Mckee, who is Mr..
Carroll Meredith"
'CarrollP Why, major, he's the club
bachelor of the town; our Maryland's
Maj. Pendennis.' Don't you know
him?"
mo; only heard his name. Is he q
hunter, too?"
"a very Nimrod,' Mckee answered.
lightly-''the best shot and surest cas-
of a fly in all Maryland. AS you're {
hunter, you must meet him. But com
in and nave a nip before you turn in"
He threw the door wide, turned W
the hall gas, and, for the first time, {
~unionist foot had passed over Mrs. Nc
KEGS jealous threshold.
TRY that brandy" Willie said in thu
dining-room. my father imported i
thirty years ago. We don't use it often
Mary Clonan must nave left it out"
Miss Clonan has good TASTE" tn,
major said, emptying his glass with
/ sigh of satisfaction. ST drink to he,
+ judgment: cognac like that is not to b.
, found often"
miss Clonan is a reliable grand
, mother of about sixty" the other re
turned, with a laugh, "She is tn
servant whose daughters illness keep
, me from the ducks. BY the way, sh'
leaves at dawn; and, as you said tn
passes might be needed, would yo1
mind giving her one?" he added, natur
ally, as he reflled the majors glass.
"She may need it." the latter an
swered, courteously. 'Tn write he
5 one, anyway, for her presence of min
, in leaving that cognac out" He tool
out a pass-book and began to write
? Better make it for herself and daugh
ter, Ell? She may wish to move tn
} girl, later"
The pass given, the major ushered on
r with courteous pressure to call again
r but the door eagerly locked behindhip
' Mckee sped softly up to his own ispar'
ments. Once there, he opened that a,
t canum-that holy OF holies-containi1
I his theatrical outfit Costumes, tigh
of every hue, cloaks, wigs, beard
= swords, and numberless pots, pans a,
bottles of unguents and colors f
makeup stood revealed re