San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-27

| w III, ~ "a u dp VI "a JOhS'
at is no joke" was the confident re-
ply. THE words are too exact for Co
incidence. She must see it, anyway. 1t
will fix her determination to go; and
we must get her to the river before the
freeze. Wait till come back"
Hastily pocketing the letter, Mckee
seized hat and overcoat, sailed into the
street, and raced for the Gray mansion.
Bessie opened the door for him, her ear
more acute from long and wondering
waiting-recognizing his step before his
hand touched the bell.
"Wel, you are here at last, Willie, {"
was her eager greeting. "Tve looked
| for you four whole days Where haze
you been?"
81 have been quite busy" he an
swered, formally. 81 have sent daily
notes for Miss Clay, inclosed to you"
"And without one word for me-" the
girl replied, with little pout. But,
Willie, have watched for you all day
ran down from Caro- dozens of times to
see if you had not come"
81 have come now" he answered,
WIFI "udC dllheu dG vie hiIy ou0 OIL uSh
pettishness only. And l must see
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 have not seen you for four
daysr'
81 saw you," was his quick reply-"at
the prisoners"
Then why did You not come to me?
never saw you once"
81 presume nOti" This was at zero
mark. "You were much better en-
ployed"
perhaps was; but I always have
time to welcome you-Willie, what is
the matter? What hare done, that you
should be so DIFF"
Nothing" he interrupted, stiff1y.
"Can not see Miss Clay? 1t is very inn
portant."
walk into the parlor," the girl re-
piled, coldly. 81 will see if any servants
are about" And, without even a glance
at him, she ran lightly upstairs.
''She didn't seem to mind it 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 man! But that fellowr' And
he stared at his angry-faced reflection
in the mirror, with the pat-me-on-the-
back expression of 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 diff
fering missive, on theme less important,
perhaps, but fateful to his peace of
mind.
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, then halted.
''She may leave tonight" he said. 'Is
everything ready9"
"0f course it is. Mamma has kept
things ready for immediate CALL" Miss
Bessie responded, in business-like tone.
Her voice was low and gentle, but her
eyes never met his. Come; you said you
were in great haste"
1T is terribly cold outside" was the
rather irrelevant reply.
is it2 | thought the wind had died
dow" There was peculiar attempt at
interest in the weather showing
through her tone.
Eyes, it has; but that only makes it
colder"
docs it? How odd!'
Eyes; think it will freeze tonight"
he said, vaguely.
VI shouldn't wonder. But you'd bet
ter go up to Caro-, now" she answered
from the doorway.
"Oh, yes! no time to lose" Mr.. Nc
Kee replied, with start of half-awak-
ening. He took two brisk steps
towards her, then stopped short again:
1T 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!''
"Why9 SO that it may freeze
Willie?"
No; because there'n be less breeze,
driving fast, you-silly childl"
Am ~ did not think that 1 was
silly" This very demurely. =.
"Oh! perhaps you thought"-the tall,
OF freeze prevented his thawing too
fast, perhaps amp"
Perhaps, Willie"
About what, Bessie?"
VI do not know; but certainly about
something. Willie, why did you not
come to me at the prisoners that morn
iprrOn