Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-03

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tangled web in which he was involved.
Leaving him to his own reflections, We vii
turn once more to his son. lie had scarce en-
tered his room, ere the servant announced tha
a stranger wished to see him. Bidding he
show him to his room, he seated himself ant
awaited his appearance.
All is it you, Rand" he exclaimed, al
the Scout made his appearance.
at is no other, SIR"
How prospers the cause2 Have LhSoln'i
men met you again ~
Aye, and fierce time they had ol it, too.
"Were there any prisoners taken?'' asked
Palmer eagerly.
"One."
"And that one?"
Was Mark Lincoln
"Mark Lincoln in SINNERS power Thai
is good news, Rand
1t may be to you, sir
" Is it not to you, also?" asked Palmer
wondering at the tone in which this was uttered
81 cannot say as it is. On the contrary,
am sorry he was taken"
" Your wordsaugur but little interest for the
cause you have espoused"'
Perhaps they do not. l am plain in speech
and never afraid to openly express my views.
had nothing to do with this affair, and my
words can have no effect on the result. He
saved my life once, and am sorry Skinner cap.
tured him, although he is an enemy to our
troop"
What course will Skinner take in regard to
him?"
II know nothing, certain. He'll be tried,
think-that is farce will be gone through with
and then they will hang him, probably. Here
is a letter from Skinner and producing the
missive of the Tory captain, Rand handed it to
Palmer. As his eye ran over the note, he start
ed suddenly, and laid his hand instinctively or
his weapons, which laid on the table by hiF
side This movement did not escape the quick
eye of Thomas Rand, he too started, while look
OF intelligence passed over his features. Palmer
| hh'phS" ohO hOeSy 1Iu thCI SuAtu iUI IL HiOuOli'
half unconsciously at the man before him. His
lips were pressed firmly together, and a deter
mined look dwelt upon his features.
6 Perhaps Skinner mentioned something con
cernng Mark Lincoln?" queried Rand, not
failing to observe the scrutiny of the other.
No; the letter was upon another subject.
DO you wish to send a reply?"
/ do not. You can tell Skinner that the
letter is satisfactory to me-
Thomas Rand arose to depart, and as he did
so, a smile of peculiar meaning, unobserved by
Palmer, rested upon his face.
" would give much" he exclaimed, ito
see the inside of that mssive. They would de-
ceive me, but knew too well the motives which
govern them. IT'S evident that Palmer does
not intend shall return to the campat present.
I could see that in the manner in which he eyed
me as he finished SINNERS letter. But their
day of triumph has not yet come. I've thwar-
ted the father, and now by my souls hopes I'll
know the end of this affair He'll either follow
or send some of his accursed tools to waylay me,
ere reach the camp. Well. well if he goes as
far as that. am prepared to meet him.
He quckened his pace, and soon reached a
spot,-where upon either side of the road the
trees were thickly grown, interspersed with
running vines,-that would afford ample con.
cealment for any one who wished to avoid the
gaze of the passers by. Walking rapidly fol
few rods, hs carefully returned in his foot
steps, and then ensconced himself behind O
clump of trees, parting thevines SO that what
ever might pass would meet his vision.
"Now, Joel Palmer, there is game to bt
played, and one of us must win. If you out
wit me, then Mark Lincoln's life is forfeited
If not, your infamous scheme shall he thwartet
like that of your contemplate sire
He had not long to wait ere the sound o
footsteps reached his ear and cautiously peerin(
out lie beheld Joel Palmer coming down th'
road at a rapid walk. He soon passed the spo
where Rand was concealed, and after waiting
a few moments, the latter stepped forth, ant
followed on in the direction the other had Ia en-
IIo had gone but few steps, however, when
paper upon the ground attracted his attention
and STOPPING he picked it up.
" Ha p" he exclaimed as he glanced at tn
superscription, % fortune favors me. You hav
less skill, villain than l thought, else this mis-
sive, if their contents are what surmise then
to be, would have found the flames ere this
lis not best to let over nice scruples of con
science rule us in dealing with a villain, and
may be enabled to foil him with his own weap
ons" Unfolding the note, he quickly paruset
it.
eyes, It's as thought, but there is some
thing here which.puzzles me, 'and glancing ono
more at the note he continued to himself: F." d
not if you value the success of this scheme, per
nit Rand to return at present, and should h
neuer be seen again your plans would be fa
more easily consumated. A visible tremo
shook Rands frame, at this point in the mis-
siye, but he read on MARK Lincoln dies n
sunrise. 1is best, if your schemes at othe
points are ripe, to put your plans into executio
ere long, and thus prevent the possibility of
failure"
His schemes at other points," muttere
Rand. :. Yes; I have it now. He thinks to thro,
his mesbes around Mabel Archer, fearing pc,
chance, that shall thwart him. 'Tis plai
they have had some clue to my movements 0
late, and no doubt that accursed Forney ha
been watching me when little thoughtit. Nov
that have knowledge of their plans, ca
easily blast them. y
Thrusting the nlissive into his bosom he hui
ried on and soon overlook Palmer, who ha
ceased his walk, and was carefully examinin
the footprints around him. Helooked surprise
as he behold the Scout, and exclaimed