Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-30

ere you go, wish to change weapons with you
until you return"
What for? | couldn't do nothing with
them things in case am diskivered."
Ii you are careful, there is no need of dis.
covery. shall place the communication in the
breech of the weapon" and touching a spring,
small cavity was revealed, in which Mark de-
posted what he had written.
@The devil couldn't find that, / reckon
said Watson.
8 You see the advantage of using my weap.
ons. AS soon as the meal is over, you must be
going" The exchange of weapons was made, and
Watson having left the tent, Mark turned to
Hopkins, who was just awaking from his slum-
bers.
"lve had mighty pleasant dream, Lincoln"
he said, as he arose.
" 1t was but dream, however," answered
Mark
"What if 'twant.. Don't you believe in
dreams?"
" Certainly not
Well, do; but when dreamt was Com
of the hull army, | was mighty
chop-fallen to think it wouldn't come to pass "
" 1t is thus with all dreams"
" Not all capin. dreamed once, that my
dad was going to give me an alfred whippin'
for stealth eggs, when | thought he didn't
know anything about it, and as sure as guns,
the next morning he came nigh skinnn' me
alive
" But what of your dream you Just awoke
from?"
" drcampt you was going to be married in
jest year from to-day, and you had asked me
to the wedding Mark smiled.
:" Don't you believe that will come to pass ?"
" No. said Mark, 81 do not"
" Wall if it don't, Tam darned if I'll ever
believe in another dream as long as I lve."
"Come," said Mark, ''let us Join the men,
for the savory odor which comes in here, tells
me our mornings meal is nearly ready"
"And | am ready to eat it," said Hopkins,
proceeding with alacrIty to the spot where it
was in course of preparation. The breakfast
over, Mark once more called him to his tent.
Hopkins" said Mark, ''you are willing to
help me in defeating Plmer's designs in regard
to Mabel Archer?''
"Wall am, Lincoln. Darned if amt ach-
Ing to have a hand in it, She's too good for an
Englishman, and if he gets her I'll chew him
up like | would sick Iniun"
81 do not doubt your willingness to assist
me, but bear in mind that we must first learn
his plans in order to work to any effect
"And that's what you want me to do is it p
g Yes. Skinner is an accessory to this scheme
and would have you dog their footsteps until
you obtain the information | desire
81 kin do it--and you may be bound shan t
go to sleep again on a scout I'm achin' to
show Thomas Rand that I'm his equal on a
trail
" And are you ready to do this now?"
" Yes. Pm as Uneasy as fish out O. water
when I'm layin' still"
" You can stait at once then. The Tories
have left the vicinity of Mrs Archer's, and are
stationed farther up towards Hardings. /
strongly suspect that the entrance to our camp
is watched, so you will observe the greatest eau
tion in your movements"
Mark then gaye few additional Instructions
to the Scout, who left the Retreat and proceed
ed on his mission. Once more left to himself.
he drew letter from his bosom and commenced
its perusal. As his eye rested upon the sigma
turc at the close of the missive, he exclaimed.
" Noble girl There are few who would take
such course. And yet, she is a thousand times
dearer to me than before. 1t shall not be thus.
will see her and convince her that she is wrong
in thus yielding to this false conviction of duty.
She is prize | will not easily yield Just as |
was about to consider it NINE lie folded the
letter, and having placed it in his bosom, arose
and started for the opening. This he soon gain.
ed, I'd taking the road, walked rapidly to.
wards his destination. Disguised as he was
he had no fears of being detained by his enc.
mics, and when but short distance from thu
opening, he passed u man whom he recognized
as being among his foes one morning in which
he encountered the Tories. 1t required but {
short time for him to reach Mrs Archer's cot
tage. Mabel was sitting by the window-anc
as she recognized him, in spite of the dlsguis
he wore, her features assumed an ashy pallor
He noticed it, and his heart told him at ono
that the errand upon which he came would b
a fruitless one.
" Good morning, Mabel" he exclaimed. n
he entered the cot, and extended his hand n
usual
" Good morning, Mark" said Mabel. in
strangely cold tone, not taking the proffare
hand. Mark IS face was even paler than her ow,
as he said
Mabel, my presence is an intrusion Te
me If it is thus, and will retire
Mark, Mark, said Mabel, rising quckl
from her seat, and going to him, +" you al
sadly mistaken; but had much rather va
would not have come again.
~ understand you, Mabel, yet [ could n,
stay away. have come to convince YOU ho
false are your views of duty, in refusing an a
lance with me. ~
80, Mark, would that could think thu
My mother counsels me to this step, and n
own feelings tell me she is right"
+, " And You make the sacrifice wliupI
Mabel?"
You know not Mark, the pain have 81,
fered In coming to this decision. No, not wi
lingly, but" she added, sadly, because il
! ghs."