San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-31

49,
81 SHOULD LIE TO SHAKE HANDS WITH
HIM" M'KEE CRIED, WARMLY.
must get across tonight"
81 peA. Only death shall stop me this
timer
The girls voice was calm, but the
ring in it made her companion stare
at her with open admiration.
For hours they tramped briskly about
the crisp, cold woods, air and exer-
else bringing natural glow back to
the woman's cheeks, while her long.
easy stride tested sorely McKee's nan
agement of his heavy and novel skirts.
Then they went back to the cabin, talk
ing long and earnestly of her plans af-
ter landing, of chances for the enemy's
movement in such weather, finally
drifting to the %congenial subject of Bes
sic Westchester and her brave cleverness
on prisoners Sunday. But never once
did Mckee return to the thin ice of the
rescuer and the anonymous warning,
though his boyish enthusiasm carried
him far beyond his intent regarding his
pretty cousin by courtesy.
By degrees, as the long day wore
away, old Pete's cabin was vocal with
Bessie's praises, and ardent lover had
told his little idyl of doubt, hope, and
final delight; while the wonan's SYM.
pathy never limited that she had heard
it all before, if not in quite so gushing
form.
And to say that the course of true
love never runs smooth" he cried, final
ly. THAT is rank heresy! The course
is sure to smooth, sooner or later, if the
love be only true!"
Again that inscrutable expression
so puzzling to him in the woods-swept
the girls face, and again the color faded
wholly from it. But she only said, with
deep sadness in the cadence:
perhaps. Heaven grant that you
two may Y prove the contrary" .,
1t may have been the sunset glow,
through the dingy little pane, that
softly touched her face back to color,
but there was a glory, as of tender
memory, over it, and a sadly tender
light stole into the eyes that gazed long
and absently in the Goals on Pete's rude
hearth.
Hours later-when the slow-riding
moon had silvered crisp twig and soft
ened the dusk of wood glades-when
the. t~hin-sheeted ice on little creeks re-
turned her glances, mirror-like, old
Pete came in from tending the horse,
gathered up oars and oil skins, and
said:
"Et's bout wantin' two hours ter
moonset, Mars Kee, so I'll git de boat
outen the rushes an float 'er down.
One hour by moon you bring missy ter
de creek"
Then, watching his shadow lose itself
in gloom of woods, Carolyn Clay turned
to her companions:
ITO reach home before daylight, in
that disguise" she said, quietly, you
must go now"
"And leave you here alone2 Not
likely!" he answered, decidedly. 81 car
slip in unsupported, or, if need be,
stay here tomorrow"
You mUst 60" she repeated, firmly.
you have already risked enough for
me, and there is no possible reason to
stay. It is but an hour, and I know the
way to the creek as well as you"
"But-leave you aloner'
81 will not be. Little as they can re-
place your friendly talk, l shall have
my memories" she half sighed, adding,
softly: land my hopes! / insist that
you CO."
"But-should anyone chance to
come"
"In that impossible case, one woman
might perhaps be safer than two" she
answered, with one of her rare smiles.
'Your detection would be ruin"
But l cannot leave you unprotected"
81 am not" The smile fingered; and
she pointed to the revolver lying on the
dresser. But no n will come; tits
absurd to think of it. You must go; /
gave my solemn pledge-to Bess-
She will be so anxious ~about-me!"
The man still argued, protested, wa
vered. The woman was gentle, but
firm, u~nyielding. So, finally, and with
reluctant feet, he moved towards the
hidden horse, hitching up in haste and
with assistance, at strap and buckle, from
little hands as deft as they were taper.
For the moon was low in the west, throw
ingdeep, long shadows from the trees, as
Mckee mounted the seat and held out
his hand
81 must obey you," he said, half
sheepishly, a you insist so strenuous
To be Continued,