The Portland daily press., 1892-09-26
The. Thread of the Story.

room in the fashionable nome OF MIS-. GllMOuI
Gray, who in-the winter OF 1868, was an active
but discreet Southern SympathiZer. Carolyn
Gray, a beautiful Virginian girl, has arrived at
the Gray mansion from General Stuart'S Con
federate Headquarters, after a thrilling expert
ence in which Peyton Fitzhugh, Virginian in
the Federal service, therefore Carolyn'S re-
jected and despised lover, saved her from being
held as spy. Carolyn has obtained medicine
for her sick brother, and is waiting the favor,
able moment to pass the blockade ana gel
South. Peyton Fitzhugh is in Baltimore, much
distruSted.
A. While Carolyn is still detained, rebel
prisoners are marched through Baltimore.
Is. Carolyn's cousin, Evan Fauntleroy is
discovered among them.
16. Mrs Gray's daughter, Bessie Westches-
ter, carries food to Evan, and Peyton Fitzhugh
gives him warm coat with a mysterious paper
init
IT. Between the lines; Carroll Meredith re-
ceiyeS letter of warning.
IS. Visit to Carolyn Clay in prison; the con-
tents of the mystic letter.
10. Major Bond gives Mr.. Mckee a pass for
Mary Clonan and daughter. Mckee DISCUSSES
himself.
20. The midnight ride and the strange guide
81. A midnight surprise; arrival of Mckee
and Miss Clay at Pete's cabin.
%. Visit of Evan Fauntleroy to Miss Clay.
%. Preparations for escape from the prison
pen.
At length the end of a heavy rope was
in; eager hands seized it, nimbly secur-
ing it to a ring, used for refractory
captives. Then the four men listened
for the stockade sentry, scarce breath
ing as he approached the window. This
time he paused, peering mechanically
into the shadow, while Evans heart
beat loud tattoo. But the soldier turned
carelessly, paced slowly away, and the
boy, forcing himself lightly through
the bars, grasped the rope securely.
Down he went, hand over hand, his
feet carefully steering him from the
wall
Hallway down, he heard the sentry
turn, and hung still, breathless, each
second expecting shot. But the
friendly shadow shielded rope and man;
and next moment his feet touched the
ground, strong hand grasped his
shoulder, and whisper came through
the darkness:
''Quick! Close to the wall! This
wayl"
''But the others? promised"
'sThey must risk it. Come! Two lives
-one halter-depend on seconds now!
Gomez
Yielding, half reluctant, to the
stronger will and his own sense of right
to his rescuer, the boy followed his
guide. with noiseless feet, but eyes
glued to a new sentry, silhouetted sharp
on another angle against the clear moon
light. AS he turned on his beat, the
guide whispered:
Nov! Quick across that moonlight!
To that ditch!'
Both men sped across the broad moon
lit space, unobserved, and gained the
friendly shadow of the ditch. And at
the instant shot rang out, and si1nul-
taneously the call:
''Turn out tn ga-adl Pris'ner
:scaped!''
Throwing themselves fiat on their
faces, with one impulse, both men
turned their eyes to the guard house
window, as the sentry's lantern swung
out over the parapet with dull CLEAN.
Six feet below the sill form chung
to the rope desperately, seeming in the
dim light to writhe and kick spasmodi-
cally. And, as they looked, it relaxed
its hold, falling to the ground with dull,
ominous thud.
Then over the night came quick or
ders, flashing lights, the dismal long
roll of the drum. and the thud0of many
running feet.
''Quick follow the ditchl Your life
is on your speedr' the guide whispered;
and they rushed along the smooth
washed bottom of the deep gully at top
speed.
A hundred yards, and tall fence
skirted the ditch. Over this they clam
bered, running over root and hill
lock, aided by the kindly moon; over
the opposite fence, racing straight for
the city, its lights not half a mile
ahead. Soon they reached the suburbs,
the guide dropping into brisk walk,
finally pausing before lonely house
in the thinly-settled quarter. Entering,
he lifted a dim lamp, screened behind
the door, and motioned Evan to a large,
unfinished parlor.
''Safe, thank God! How can ever
he began, warmly; but the other inter
rupted: &
F; sDon't talk. The Eastern express
leaves in twenty minutes. Put on those
clothes quickly"
Without another word, Evan rapidly
dressed himself in the wide-checked,
foppish citizens suit, drew on long
ulster of loudest stripe, and stuffed his
own in the empty valise at hand. Then,
Fitzhugh locking the door and throw
ing away the key, they walked rapidly
to the suburban station near.
A line of soldiers was drawn up
across the platform; and the traitor
:Virginian's quick eye took in the stu
alton.
"Use this; you are a Pinkertons
man," he whispered; and as Evan thrust
the proffered paper into his vest-pocket,
he felt coin and crisp notes thoughtfully
stuffed into it. And with no break the
pair advanced until the sharp command
came: "Halt!''
"What is the matter, lieutenant?''
Fitzhugh asked, surprised. "Has gov
eminent impressed this train?"
'No, sir; but we stop all All! cap
+,;,, ba1;aua 7 caw Won at the camr,