Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-04

visibly affected; indeed 20 intensely
were her feelings wrought upon BY thiI
portion Of the story that she started d
every sound. realizing the more per
fectly that Marks neck was still In jeop
srdy.
Then came an account Of the trial; th.
march to the courtroom; the waiting
for the counsel; the arrival Of Captain
Cameron Fits Hugh.
Captain Cameron Fits Hughr
Then Il was all out that Laura's love-
had defended the spy, and Laura con
fessed that she was Fits Hugh's be
trothed.
In the midst Of the excitement attend
Ing all this Mrs. Fain entered carrying
silver tray. on which was q basket d
cake and . decanter and glasses.
"a little luncheon may not be amiss
Mr.. Rhett," she said. ~ don't know
your South Carolina customs In such
matters, but my daughter and I occs
sionally take biscuit at this hour"
Mark rose and faced about. His hand
went to his heart and he bowed low,
Laura, too, rose and stood looking at hel
mother.
MADAM" said Mark, "can I ever for
get this kindnessy
"If you will discover the ore you seeh
on our property I shall fee' amply 70.
paid" said the lady sententiously.
"Trust me, madam. ! will have dill.
gent search made"
"Are you geologisty
"None but q geologist would be hunt.
ing for ore in the government service"
Mark stood with the stem Of wine
glass between his thumb and finger, sp-
propriating to himself such inipresse-
ment as would naturally I'LL the breast
Of q South Carolina geologist hunting
for iron with which to make cannons for
the government.
"That IL q fascinating study" re-
marked Mrs. Fain. who was q great
reader and very intelligent woman.
Now Mark, though an educated man
and born to taste for the sciences, un.
fortunately knew less about the profess
sion he had temporarily adopted than
any other.
There are some curious geological
facts" Mrs. Fain went ON, (which al.
ways interest me. was reading yester-
day that q famous geologist has said that
centuries-I have forgotten how many
were consumed while Niagara falls
were wearing their way from Lewiston
to the present site. How long was 1t,
professor? I'm sure you have that title.
ut could not have been less than five
hundred years, madam, said Mark, lay.
ing great stress on the figures as some
thing enormous.
"Five hundredf thought 1t was
something like twenty thousandr'
Mark perceived that he had made .
gross blunder. but It would never do for
him to acknowledge 1t.
"I am aware" he said. "that such Is
the opinion Of certain school OF geolo-
sists with more assurance than brains.
/ refer to those scoffers who are contin.
uously trying to find evidence against
the Mosaic account of creation, but re-
gard their position untenable."
There was a pleased look on Mrs. Fain's
countenance. She belonged to the Bap
tist denomination, and believed thor.
oughly that the world was made In six
days Of twenty.four hours each.
professor" she said, withdrawing
from the room ut the same time, 81 trust
that you WIN remain In the neighbor
hood a long while, and beg you to homo
us by making this house your home II
the meantime"
Mark was standing with half flle'
glass Of wine in his left hand, while hi
right was on his heart. Mrs. Fain mad
her exit through the door by which sh
had come. opening into the dining room
As the door closed Mark was bending Il
the floor, admirably representing Soutl
Carolina gentleman OF the olden time.
He heard something like low cry
half surprised, half terror-from Laura
Turning quickly toward her he saw he
eyes fixed In stare on some object q
the door opening into the hall. Anothe
turn Of his head and there stood the fig
ure Of Captain Cameron Fitz Hugh.
Twice before had Mark seen that face
once when Fitz Hugh had approached
the Fain house the morning Mark hat
left Il for Chattanooga. and once whei
the young Confederate had defended
him at the trial.
No sooner had Captain Fitz Hugh lait
eyes on Marks face than he recognized
the spy he had defended at Chattanooga
Professor" he said coolly, "you ar
very adroit."
Mark turned scarlet, and then ash,
pale. For a moment II seemed that hi
legs would not support him. II required
time for him to collect himself to make
any reply whatever.
''Since you are so good at extricatine
yourself from difficulties, you have
fine opportunity to show your skill now.
Fitz Hugh spoke with his hand on thu
handle Of his pistol. "May trouble
you to throw up your hands, professor
at Is not necessary" said Mark. ~
am unarmed."
A picture Of his certain fate flashed
across his mind, and he wished Fit
Hugh would shoot him.
"On your word OF honorf
"Why do you ask such . question,
You know that I am an arch deceiver.'
"At any rate. you are q gentleman
Never mind throwing up your hands"
Meanwhile Mark had been giving hi.
heart time to cease humping. and had
gathered his wits.
Laura remained silent, staring at them
both as though she had lost her reason,
Had she q hundred things to say hei
tongue could not have been made tc
utter one.
Mark turned toward Fitz Hugh and
looked him square In the face. he had
conceived an idea; O forlorn hope, 1t ID
true, still hope. Quick to discern peo-
ple's peculiarities, he had gotten an In
sight into Fitz Hugh's character when
that officer had defended him at Chstta'
nooga. He now resolved to take advan'
tage Of that knowledge.
"Captain," he said. Notwithstanding
the position In which you saw me few
days ago, Notwithstanding the painful
situation In which You SEQ me now. you
have ON both occasions done me- the
honor to consider me gentleman.
assume to q perception In this respect
not less keen than yours. Indeed so
sure am I Of the dslicacy. the refinement