The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-17
The rhread of the Story.

OUT QLSCTGeb DOuLl1cTH SylupdbiilLCi.
Gray, a beautiful yirginian girl, has arrived at
the Gray mansion from General StuarFs. Con-
federate headquarters, after thrilling expert
ence IN which Peyton Fzhagh elrglnian III ~
,jected and despised lover, saved her from neng
held as asSpy. Carolyn has obtained medicine
for her sick brother, and is waiting the Iavor
able moment to pass the blockade and get
South. Peyton Fitzhugh is in Baltimore, mucn
dStruSted.
IA. While Carolyn is still detained, rebel
prisoners are marched through Baltimore
15. Carolyn's cousin, Evan Fauntleroy IS
discovered among them.
49, Mrs. Gray's daughter, Bessie Westohes-
ter, carries food to Evan, and Peyton F1tzhugh
gives him a warm coat with a mysterious paper
init.
IL. Between the lines; Carroll Meredith re-
cetyeS letter OF warming
Hastily pocketing the fetSer, Mckee
seized hat and overcoat, sailed into the
street, and raced for the Gray mansion.
Bessiesopenedsthe door for him, her ear
more acute from long and wondering
waiting ecognizing his step before his
hand touched the bell.
.'Well, you are here at last. Wslaie,
washer eager greeting. I've looked
for YOU fourwhole days. Where hcce
you sbeen?"
Z II have been quite busy" he an
swesed, formally. 81 have sent daily
notes r.Miss Clay, inclosed to you"
s'And without one word for me-" the
girl replied, with little pout. 'But,
willie, Iihavewatched for you all day
ran down from. Caro- dozens Of times to
see If you had not come"
IT have come now" he answered.
with what aimed at dignity bat struck
pettishness only. ''And must sec
Miss Clay at once"
The girl stared at him, surprised,
hot flush stealing to her face and hot
words to her lips. But she held them
back, saying, as gently as gravely:
: "And, I haves not seen you for four
days!"
II sawyous' was his quick repiy-"at
the prisoners"
"Then why did'yousnot come to mef
Inever saw you once"
81 presume s,oti" This was at zero
mark. 'sYou were much better en-
ployed"
perhaps was; but I always have
time to welcome you-Willie. what 70
the matter? What haze done, that you
should be soSdif"
Nothing" he Interrupted, s4afny.
"Can not seesMiss Clay? It isvery inn
portant."
..Walk into tho paraer." the girl 70,
Piled, coldly. Twill see If any servants
are about" And, without even glance
at him, she ran lightly upstairs.
''She didn't seem to mind it great
DEAL" Mr.. Mckee said to himself, turns
ing into the empty parlor. "But was
RIGHT. She talks one way and acts am
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 pat-me-onrthe-,
back expression of a man who convfnces
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 nissive, on theme less important,
perhaps, but fatefu1 to his peace Of
mind.
1.-THE coast is clear; you can como"
Bessie Westchester said, quietly, rs she
tripped lightly down the stairs. !.
The youth started towards the door,
hesitated, then halted.
.She msay leave tonight, = 10 aaid us
everything ready?"
sSNe Sc Kc,,-xSn~ hnu Land
things ready for immediate CALL" Miss
Bessie responded, in husiness-lilke tone.
Her voice was low and gentle, but her
eyes never met his. "Comes you said you
were in great haste"
'sIt is terribly cold outside, was the
rather irrelevant reply.
sis it? thought the wind had died
down" There was peculiar attempt Ut
interest in tho weather showing
through her tone.
eyes, it has; but that only makes IT
colder"
''Does it? How oddT
eyes; think It viii freeze tonight"
he said, vaguely.
ST shouldn't wonder. But you'd bet
tcr go up toNaIOs low h2S 3ADWSrSo
from the doorway.
"oh, yes! no time TO lose." Mr.. Nc
Kee replied, with a-start Of haf-awal-
ening. He took two brisk steps
towards her, then stopped short again:
SIT will be an awfully cold ride If we
CO."
II am afraid IL win. Poor Oarop she
answered, with eyes still downcast
''Pm rather glad the wind has gone
down-Bessiep
'sWhyq SO that II may heeze-
Winie?"
mo; because 4heren be less breezA,
driving fast. you-si1ly child"
Fam I? did not think that was
silly" This very demurely.
"0h! perhaps you though" talk
of freeze prevented his thawing too
fast, perhaps amp"
Perhaps, Willie"
"About what, BessieP"
ST do not know; but certainly about
something. Willie, why did you not
come to me at the prisoners that morn
ing9"
ssVon scanned better emnlovedfn Zero