Iron County register., 1893-12-07

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''She may leave tonight" he said. "ls
everything ready?"
''Of 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"
sit is terribly cold outside" was the
rather irrelevant reply.
''Is it? thought the wind had died
down." There was peculiar attempt at
interest in the weather showing
through her tone.
"Yes, it has; but that only makes it
colder"
"Does it? How oddw
eyes; 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, yesi 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:
ut will be an awfully cold ride, if we
CO."
81 am afraid it will. Poor Carol" she
answered, with eyes still downcast.
''Tn rather glad the wind has gone
down-Bessie!"
''Why? SO that it may freeze
Willie?'
mo; because there'n be less breeze,
driving fast, you-silly child"
Gam L? did not think that I was
silly" This very demurely.
''Oh! perhaps you thought"-the talk
of a freeze prevented his thawing too
fast, perhaps I amp"
perhaps, Willie"
'About what, Bessie?"
81 do not know; but certainly about
something. Willie, why did you not
come to me at the prisoners that morn
ing?"
sYou seemed better employedr' Zero
once more.
''You might have shaken hands. A
whispered word would not have taken u
minute"
s'No; it did not!" This with snort
of dignity.
"Why, Willie! You never whispered
one"
s'No! but he did," Mr.. Mckee shot
his bolt with deliberate aim, and
waited for his quarry to tumble, tlut-
tering But the girl lifted to his her
great eyes, filled only with wonder:
''Willie Mckee, of whom Gre you talk
ing?"
"You will acquit me of selfishness-
will understand that it is not on my Oacn
account at all!" He posed with effort
| full dignity sit is wholly on your own.
But when young lady volunteers her
dislike and contempt for man, and
then see her smiling and whispering
with him in public places, it does
| seem"
''Stop, Willie!' The little form before
him rose erect, commandful You are
my stepfathers cousin; you have
known me since childhood; we have
been-friends; but even you shall not
accuse me of impropriety!"
The girls flush was now only of in
dignation; and her black eyes met his
defiantly.
every well, Miss Bessie. You asked
me to speak. did not volunteer my
| reason"
"It was not reason-only absurdity!
Her eyes did not drop; and the good old
blood of the Westchesters. whose men
had ever replied to calumny by q blow
glowed upon either cheek. 81 am ig
norant of all cause for your allusion
but it is untrue and absurd"
''Is it untrue if repeat that I saw
him, busy as you were, whisper over
your shoulder? Is it absurd that you
paused to whisper back and smile at
Peyton Fitzhugh?"
The girls lips quivered, but no longer
with anger; the flush on her face took
softer glow, and the light of battle in he,
eyes quickly changed to merriment, as
little laugh gurgled softly out.
"Willie McKee," she said. with moni
tory voice, but advancing softly to him
81 would not have believed any Other