People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-03-10

ignored the caress and repudiated the
suggestion.
"YOu are wrong-utterly wrong,
childw she cried. 81 do care for
that-that man. On the contrary, |
hate-despise him. He is not fit to let
your feet spurn him-far less to touch
your hand. Does not your mother know
suspect"
WHAT" Bessie's eyes grew wide
with wonder, as the other paused sud-
denly. why, Carol never saw you
so excited-so worked up. 1t must, in
deed, be something terrible! Tell me,
pleGse"
Miss Clay's face darkened, and ner
breath came hard and quick. She
clinched her hands fercely; but still she
did not speak, only staring at the other.
Then, with a great effort, she turned a
deadly white face, lit by cleaning eyes,
upon her:
Bessie, that man is He it was
who" Memory, gratitude-whatever
stronger feeling it may have been-was
too much for her. Again she broke
down, sinking in her chair and covering
her face, with the piteous moan:
''0h, God! | cannot!-cdnnOt."
Wondering more still, but still deep
ly sympathetic, Bessie Westchester
watched this unwonted weakness of the
woman who had been her model of fear
lessness and strength.
Only one instant, though. The next
she was kneeling by her side, her arms
close about the heaving bosom, her lips
pressed upon the glorious, bowed head;
Forgive me, dear! Please forgive
mel / was silly even to mention him
worse than silly to press You SO. think
| understand"
Once more Miss Clay broke roughly
from the circling arms. Once more she
stood erect with raised head and blazing
eyes; no weakness on her face now
only resolve so fixed as to make its lines
seem hard and cruel.
Bessie Westchester," she said, in
cold, metallic tone, you do not under
stand me, but-you shall! Not for
base, selfish reason, not to protect my
self from silly suspicion, but to protect
you and yours, so good to me, l lcM
speak, That man, whose name | have
sworn shall never pass my lips-that
man, who has my just contempt and
scorn, is"
The door opened quickly and Mrs.
Gray stood in it, painting from hasty as
cent and with troubled face.
Caro-, Willie is here"
THANK God! l am readym The light
of battle on her face melted into tender
longing; hope to be realized swept
away thought Of right and justice as
the words brought plainly before her
the wide, dark river, the yearning loved
ones far beyond.
"Stop, DEAR" the matron said, stop
ping with gesture the quick grasp for
hat and gloves, the careful, instructive
touch for precious packages sewed into
the skirt. willie must see you first.
Some difficulty has"
Difficulty? Oh, do not say he comes
to disappoint me% The color hope had
driven to the girls face dropped out,
leaving it ashen, her lips quivering
soundlessly.
mot so bad as that, l hope" Mrs.
Gray answered, gently; and, stepping
to the door, she called softly, and Will
lie Mckee tiptoed into the room.
His face was grave and troubled, his
manner wholly changed from the boy
ish exquisite who had lounged from
that house two hours before. Those
were days that made many men play
strange parts; and Willie Mckee was a
natural actor.
1T disappoints me, Miss Clay, almost
as much as yourself" he said, quietly.
81 had set my heart on getting you
across tonight; and | believe you know
that to do so | would risk anything,
save one-your capture"
81 must always risk that" the girl
cried, impatiently. 81 have no fear.
Come, let us start"
Not until you know ALL" the man
answered, firmly. Ordinary danger
would not deter me, of course. Every
thing is ready-medicines packed,
passes secured. But, remember, this
time your capture would be more seri-
Gus than ever before. You are under
gravest suspicion"
"Yes, l know. But, oh, l have been
so CAREFUL no one. None could
dream | was here"
Your presence in Baltimore is
lnoypn MoKaa opo,uarad n,arf1r