Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-26
A Fair Blockade !:,Breaker !!
BY T. c. DELEoN.

that-that man. On the contrary, I hate-despise him. He is not fit to let your feet spurn him-far less to touch your hand. Does not your mother know suspect"
 "WhatP" Bessie's eyes grew wide with wonder, as the other paused sud denly. "Why, Caro! never saw you so excited-so worked up. It must, in- deed, be something terriblel Tell me, pleGse!"
 Miss Clay's face darkened, and her breath came hard and quick. She clinched her hands fiercely; but still she did not speak, only staring at the other. Then, with great effort, she turned a deadly white face, lit by gleaming eyes, upon her:
 Bessie, that man is He it was who" Memory, gratitude-whatever stronger feeling it may have been-was | too much for her. Again she broke down, sinking in her chair and covering her face, with the piteous moan:
 "Oh, Godl I cannotl-cGnnotI" Wondering more still, but still deep ly sympathetic, Bessie Westchestcr watched this unwonted weakness of the woman who had been her model of fear lessness and strength. Only one instant, though. The next she was l1neeling by her side, her arms close about the heaving bosom, her lips pressed upon the glorious, bowed head:
 Forgive me, dearl Please forgive mel I was silly even to mention him worse than silly to press you so. think | I understand"
 Once more Miss Clay broke roughly | from the circling arms. Once more she stood erect with raised head and blazing eyes; no weakness on her face now only resolve so fixed as to make its lines seem hard and cruel.
 Bessie Westchester," she said, in cold, metallic tone, you do not under stand me, but-you shalll Not for base, selfish reason, not to protect my self from silly suspicion, but to protect you and yours, so good to me, I soIl speak! That man, whose name have sworn shall never pass my ips-that man, who has my just contempt and scorn, is"
 The door opened quickly and Mrs. Gray stood in it, panting from nasty as- cent and with troubled face.
 ''Caro, Willie is here" 1 "Thank Godl am readyl" The light of battle on her face melted into tender longing; hope to be realized swept away thought of right and justice as the words brought plainly before her the wide, dark river, the yearning loved ones far beyond.
 "Stop, dear" the matron said, stop ping with a gesture the quick grasp for hat and gloves, the careful, instinctive touch for precious packages sewed into the skirt. "Willie must see you first. Some difficulty has"
 Difficulty? Oh, do not say he comes to disappoint mel" The color hope had driven to the girls face dropped out leaving it ashen, her lips quivering soundlessly.
 Mot so bad as that, hope" Mrs Gray answered, gently; and, stepping to the door, she called softly, and Will lie Mckee tiptoed into the room.
 His face was grave and troubled, hi manner wholly changed from the boy ish exquisite who had lounged from that house two hours before. Those were days that made many men play strange parts; and Willie McKeewas { natural actor.
 |. Ut disappoints me, Miss Clay, almost as much as yourself" he said, quietly "I had set my heart on getting you across tonight; and believe you know that to do so I would risk anything save one-your capture"
 'I must always risk that" the gir cried, impatiently. ''I have no fear Come, let us start!''
 Mot until you know all," the maj answered, firmly. Ordinary dange would not deter me, of course. Every thing is ready-medicines packed passes secured. But, remember, thi time your capture would be more seri ous than ever before. You are unde gravest suspicion"
 . "Yes, l know. But, oh, have beel l 30 careful!-seen no one. None coul dream was here"
 , "Your presence in Baltimore :, known" Mckee answered, gently e "How, or by whom, God only knows.
 ''Known!" Only the one word fror 5 her white lips.
 "Yes; and more than that" he wen on, calmly. "Some one knows that yo leave tonight, by what route, and tha I go with you"
 The girls face grew whiter still; he . lips moved without sound, but her eye flashed into Bessie's with blaze of at cusing query in them. Then, sti staring at her, the firm will mastere . emotion so far that she whispered hoarsely:
 Are you sure? You saw-him?'
 "Saw whom? Bessie, what do yo
 know2" Mrs Gray cried.
 But Carolyn Clay stopped her with
 gesture imperious beyond question, ant
 turning to Mckee, said, hoarsely:
 "Go on. Tell me all" r q know no more" he answered. "Ol O ly this note was left for me by unknow hand ten minutes since"
 The woman seized the crumpled not , eagerly, bending over the firelight ar
 reading rapidly. Then, pressing h,
 hand hard over her eyes, she stood a
 instant still and cold, only heavir ? bosom and deep breath telling of so, s' struggle to be calm. Again she bel
 down, scanning the paper closely, h. = eyes burning each word into her brai
 Then, leaning her head upon the To