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


ran down from Caro- dozens of times to
see ii you had not come"
81 nave come now" he answered,
with what aimed at dignity but struck
pettishness only. And I must see
Miss Clay at once"
The girl stared 1T him, surprised, a
hot flush stealing to her face and hot
words to her lips. But she held them
back, saying, as gently as gravcly:
And l have not seen you for four
daysl"
81 saw you," was his quick ~reply-''at
the prisoners"
"Then why did you not come to me?
l never saw you once"
81 presume nOti" This was at zero
mark. "You were much better en-
ployed."
Perhaps I was; but I always have
time to welcome you-Willie, what Is
the matter? What hare l done, that you
should be so diff"
Nothing" he interrupted, stifly.
Scan l not see Miss Clay? 1t is very i'm
p~ortant."
walk into the parlor," the girl re-
piled, coldly. 81 will see if any servants
are about" And, without ever a glance
at him, she ran lightly upstairs.
"She didn't seem to mind it a great
DEAL" Mr.. Mckee said to himself, turn
ing into the empty parlor. But was
right. She talks one way and acts an
other. If it had been one of the prison
ers-any mani But that fellow!'' And
he stared at his angry-faced reflection
in the mirror, with the p~at-me-on-the-
back expression of a man who convinces
himself against his will. Then he took
out the mysterious note again, reading
it very slowly and very carefully; but,
somehow, the characters would change
to familiar English penmanship, the
short, mystical sentences. would twist
themselves into those meaningful moth
ings SO well remembered in many a diff
fering missive, on theme less important,
perhaps, but fateful to his peace Of
mind.
1.-THE coast is. clear; you can come
Bessie Westchester said, quietly, as she
tripped lightly down the stairs.
The youth started towards the door,
hesitated, hen halted.
'She may leave tonight" he said. SIS
everything ready?"
'Of course it is. Mamma has kept
things ready for immediate CALL" Miss
Bessie responded, in business-like tone.
Her voice wa low and gentle, but her
eyes neve met his. Come; you said you
were in great haste"
at is terribly cold outside" was the
rather irrelevant reply.
SIS it? l thought the wind had died
down" There was peculiar attempt at
interest in the weather showing
through her tone.
eyes, it has; but that only makes it
colder"
"Does it? How oddl'
"Yes; l think it will freeze tonight"
he said, vaguely.
81 shouldn't wonder. But you'd bet
ter go up to Caro-, now," she answered
from the doorway.
"Oh, yes! no time to lose," MI. Nc
Kee replied, with a start of half-awak-
ening. He took two brisk steps
towards her, then stopped short again:
'It will be an awfully cold ride, If we
CO."
81 am afraid it will. Poor Carol" she
answered, with eyes still downcast.
"I'm rather glad the wind has gone
down-Bessie!"
why? SC that it may freeze
Willie?"
mo; because there'l be less breeze,
driving fast, you-silly child"
"Am l? I did not think that I was
silly" This very demurely.
"Ohl perhaps You thought"-the talk
of a freeze prevented his thawing too
fast, perhaps l amp"
Perhaps, Willie"
about what, Bessiep'
81 do not know; but certainly about
something. Willie, why did you not
come to me at the prisoners that morn
ing?"
you seemed better employedl" Zero
once more.
You might have shaken hands. A
whispered word would not have taken a
minute"
"No; 1t did noti" This with a snor
of dignity.
"Why, Williel You never whispered
one
mol but he didl' Mr.. Mckee shot
his bolt with deliberate aim, and
waited for his quarry to tumble, fut-
tering. But the girl lifted to his hei
great eyes, filed only with wonder:
willie Mckee, of whom are you talk
ing?"
"You will acquit me of selfshness-
will understand that it is not on my otc7
account at allr' He posed with effort
full dignity. at is wholly on y0ur own
But when a young lady volunteers hel
dislike and contempt for u man, ant
then l see her smiling and whispering
with him in public places, it doe
seem"
"Stop, Williel' The little form befor'
him rose erect, c~ommandful. "You arr
my stepfather's cousin; you hav'
known me since childhood; we hav'
been-friends; but wen you shall no
accuse me of impropriety!'
The girls flush was now only Of in
d%ignation; and her black eyes met hi
d%efiantly.
Every we'll, Miss Bessie. You aske
me to speak. did not volunteer m,
reason"
~ Woo JtOt iCi1ott-otly !
Her eyes did not drop; and the good oil
blood of the Westchesters, whose me
had ever replied to calumny by a blow
gloYed upon either check. 81 am ie
norant of all cause for your a~llusioI
but it is untrue and absurd"
els it untrue if | repeat that I sa,
him, busy as you were, whisper owe
your shoulder? Is it absurd that 20
paused to whisper back and smile at
Peyton Fitzhugh?"
The girls lips quivered, but no lonSe
with anger; the flush on her face too
softer glow, and the light of battle in he
eyes quickly changed to merriment, q
a little laugh gurgled softly out.
"Willie McKee, she said, with mon
tory voice, but advancing softly to hin
81 would not have believed any othe
living man had he told me that 20
were-a gO0sei No, sir! You shall nj
stop me until you hear. See, Will
how much further | trust you than yo
trust mel The man who has sc aus
lessly excited your she paused an il
stant-"your anger gave me "a o fo
q naked prisoner-Caro's brave DO,
, cousin! More; he rished his life, pc
haps, to whisper to me that 1t had
reasonable paper sewed in its lining
The young mans eyes fell, and a fius
} of shame swept his face. Next instaI
he raised both bravely, looking I'M
} hers as he whispered:
l Bessie, my darling! Can you forgi'
me?"
81 have nothing to forgive" she a
swered, frankly holding out her lit
) hand HVo,, ware ripht tn sneak on