The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-21

prisoners are marched through Baltimore.
Is. Carolyn's cousin, Evan Fauntleroy Is
discovered among them
16. Mrs. Gray's daughter, Bessie Westches
gives him warm coat with mysterious paper
init
II. Between the lines; Carroll Meredith re-
ceives letter of warning.
10. Visit to Carolyn Clay in prison; the con-
tents of the mystic letter.
10. Major Bond gives Mr.. Mckee pass for
Mary Clonan and daughter. Mckee DISCUSSES
himself.
20. The midnight ride and the strange guide.
aHere we are, Pete" Mckee cried,
merrily, dismounting as fast as skirts
permitted, and assisting Miss Clay's
light descent from her cold perch.
"Sarvant, Mars Kee! How yo' MARI"
the negro answered, with a grave 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, Pete had
accepted them as countersign and pa
role.
Sand here am again, Pete, " the girl
said, as she threw back her veil. "Can
we get across nOWr
''Sarvant, Missy" the negro repeated.
''Glad yo's cum, sholy. has inspected
yo' de fo' las trips"
s"Thank you. Can we get across to-
night?" she again asked, anxiously.
"Reck'n," the black replied, as grave
ly as briefly. ode creeks is scummed
wild ice, but cts light, an kin wuk
out onto de fats, sholy. Den, eff de rib
Der emit close"
"But sosA it bep" she interrupted. inn
patiently.
"De marster knows" Pete answered,
gravely as Covenanter. "He emit send
in Pete no marracles; so dis ole nigga's
acknowledgement don't go no fudder dan
de presunt. But reck'nl"
Sand we reckon on some hot coffee,
Pete" Mckee said. "Come in, Miss
Clay. You need it, after that freezing
ride"
sSarvant, Mars Kee," the negro said,
removing his wooden cap, as they en-
tered. ''De cofee's dar; an, wild de
lady's permission, I'll go tend ter Mars
CARTS hoss."
While the worn horse was led into a
sheltered glade, well back from the
road, and rubbed briskly from muzzle
to heel by the brawny black, Mckee
poured steaming coffee. Then Carolyn
Clay produced Mrs. Gray's much-praised
tin.
'No, not that" the youth cried.
'"Those are your marching rations.
Here's our breakfast-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 ad-
venturous pair breakfasted with appe-
tite natural to frosty morning, largely
aided by danger passed and hope re-
newed. Then, as the negro again
doomed gigantic in the low doorway,
the girl asked:
"Any patrol boats IN the river, Peter"
"Plenty, missy; but dem doan' count.
Mos O. dey knows Pete, an left him
fish onquesh'shonable."
ssBut Mars Carl said transports were
passing up, night before last" Mckee
said.
"Dem's all gone urt'wa'ds town" the
black replied. "Las' night. wen I mex
my 'specshun, der wasut one o dey in
de ribber. But does ,sriss dose trans
puts sholyl'
''They are usually fun Of green re-
cruits," Miss Clay said, quietly. "who
shoot as they hail"
cam DENIS Gurus, too. DENIS fon' o.
lowerin' boats an 'spectan' fish'mun wot
de patrul boats lows ter pass"
s'God forbidr' the girl exclaimed
tShould an inspectioncome tonight, we
are lostP
"But none viii comer' Mckee cried,
gayly, quoting:
"The stars have said 1t, and the voice
OF my own prophet and oracular soul
Confirms the shining sibyls!"
e'You are as safe now as though al
ready in Stuart's camp. But come; the
day will be long one, anyway, and a
tramp in this air will help, after your
imprisonment"
They walked brislly 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 more absurd by
garish light, Mckee proved himself cap
ital company. He talked poetry and
people, sang little, and good-natured-
~ chaffed .slutual friends. Then, quiet
ing down, he heard for the first time
minute details of Miss Clay's race for
freedom, of her capture, and of her sim
| gular rescue from the hut.
''By Jove! that fellow is a hero, what
ever color his coat!" he cried, as she
closed her guarded recital.
''He certainly risked his life" the girl
paused an instant-"a dastard's death,
for mel" And, though her head was
averted, Mckee saw warm color glow
on what of her neck showed above her
wrap.
''You are wonderful woman in many
ways, Miss Clay" he said, seriously
"most SO in lacking curiosity. Any
other wou3l have paused to ask his
name, even through the loop of hal