The Portland daily press., 1892-09-06
The Thread of the Story.

wounded brother. Her cousin Evan FaunIleroy,
one Of Stuart'S troopers, accompanies her To-
wards the Potomac.
8. A young South Carolina officer OF Hamp-
toms Legion is with the Confederate Outposts
as the two riders pass, and rides WIN tnem
for several miles and as he leaves them warns
them that the Union cavalry may be on the
South side OF the Potomac
4. The warning proves true, and Miss Clay
and Fainter re hotly pursued by federal
cavalry.
Clay has shot at a Federal horseman; MISS
Clay demands OF the Federal Major that she be
released as a nOn-comDatant
g. The Federal Commander Custer suspects
his guide, Vfrginian, who may be able to
identify them
Z. The guide turns out to be. Peyton fitz,
hugh, Miss ClayS former lover, whom she nad
He recognizes her and she is held as spy, be-
ing confined in a solitary hutj under guard Oh
sentinel Here she isfleft osbitter reflections
on Fitzhugh's perfay.
though she spums him. finally induces her to
allow him to guide her to horse on which she
may escape.
8. The scene shifts toiBaltimore, where Mrs.
aimoI Gray. ), quiet but, but active southern
"Handsafne fellow, that! quite dis
tingue," She cabinet member said, fol-
lowing her glance, then letting his own
rest adnassingly onvthe face she did not
raise to reply;
San old friend of-mamma's Did
Iyou nepermeet him before, judge7"
Scarcely possible, Miss Bessie" the
ldignitary answered. Given among the
thousands Of new faces, would not
forget that one. But we are forgetting
what is more inportant-the encore"
ut shall be a simple old ballad,
then," she answered; and again she shot
one swift glance into the dark eyes of
lPeyton Fitzfrugh, elegantly languid in
evening dress He made no movement
save to smooth, rather foppishly. the
black hair brushed low on his broad
brow. Next instant AL the fire in the
girls vibrant soprano was ringing IN
that old rebel ditty: "CharIie Is My
IDarling!" The,elegant traitor listened,
to the very last note, leaning lightly
against the door frame, but with no
changed expression on his strong, quiet
face. Nor did he respond to-even if
he caught-theq quick glance the singers
ewes again sent him with the last note,
but his gleved hand joined in the ap-
plause as the bachelor functionary at
the piano, bending over the girl In evil
dent admiration, said, softly:
..Enviable Charlie Miss Bessie. But
you certainly do sing Scotch ballads
con amore."
...Thank you,n she answered. Simple,
unscientific as they are, SONS of them
are great favorites of mine. This, for
instance"
She broke quickly into the Eltful
melody: "An the Blue Bonnets Are
Over the Border" But the glance she
sent to the doorway as it's accompani-
Iment was lost. Fitzhngh had been re-
placed by blonde youth wearing per-
feet clothes, and his own particular
smile upon his fair, chiseled features,
iundeniably aristocratic. His own par
ticu1ar Rack, too, elevated his arched
eyebrows wondeuingly, yet never
wrinkling his soft, boyish forehead. A
character In his own patented way,
hiding carefully any strength of char
aeter he had, universally popular for
plainly admirable traits and perfect
manners, was Mr.. William Howard Nc
Kee.
+; A noted society man." spite Of his
unattained majority and almost girhsh
gentleness, he was descended from "a
signer" on his mothers side, from
wealthy ancestry on both. He was,
too, budding wit, whose good heart
end unfaihug tactamade him as popular
with the club set as he was with the
s'german" by divine'right Of heels.
: But peculiarly was Willie Mckee
facile princeps in all private theatricals
and amateur performances, ever famous
in Baltinore-his lightning changes
being most famous.
Scarce perceptible query of his brows
brought lightest reply from the girls
dropped lashes; and Mr.. Mckee saun-
tered down upon the cabinet minister,
like ''the Assyrianp-reversed.
''You are the priestess of simplicity
tonight, Cousin Bessie" hesaid, easily.
81 really believe you have discovered
that the judges grandmother was
Scotch; though he has dropped the Nc,
which clings to me-"
lou oTC ulASUSSHou, SAI, oiAS uiSu
tary answered, rather frigidly. at inter
ruption of his tete-a-tete.
''Beg pardon, really" the young man
retorted, blandly. IT thought had
read that about you in something some
where, but we're making history SO
fast, nowadays, that really fellow
can't pretend to keep accurately to it"
''Whc:c do you come from, Willie?"
Miss T. sic asked, her quick tact catch
ing the boy's pert tone. ''Yeu are dread
fully late, sir!''
mot bit of 1t, coz. Been hare an
hour-in the conservatory with La belle
Nina, from Philadelphia. Was routed
out by your mammals Roman regard as
she strolled in on the arm of Peyton
Fitzhugh. Handsome dog, that fellow;
and deep, too"
''That swarthy, handsome man just
now at the doorp" the secretary queried
quickly, as he caught the flush deepen
ing on the girls cheek.
eyes," she replied.
''A friend of yours, Miss Bessie?"
ST know Mr.. Fitzhugh," she answered,