Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-01-19

sixth. That was only the evening be-
fore II was ROW the twenty-seyenth-
only week. Never had he passed such
week before. and he hoped he never
would again
Soon after he had finished his break
fast hand was extended through the
trap. pitcher OF water and toilet arti-
Giles were left and the dishes taken. AT
noon meal was handed in by the same
fair hand.
Though but two meals had been thus
left, Laura bagan to perceive that she
could not thus feed her charge without
soon being discovered When she took
Marks dinner to him she entered the
attic and mad him close the trap after
her.
lit will not do for you to stay here
much longer" she said. my mother
has already become suspicious that
have something on my mind, and fear
being detected carrying these meals.
dare not tell her all. and | dare not risk
her discovering that you are here"
Il will go tonight"
1T will be sure capture for you to go.
The negroes tell me that the country
people are all out looking for the-the
spy"
Il can't stay here and compromise
you"
Il have a plan This evening | will
watch for an opportunity for you to go
down stairs. You can introduce your
self as a gnest. and though you will be
every minute in danger you will be
safer than here"
"And. in case / am discovered. will
not be caught like rat in a trap"
You can appear as a traveller. You
must have hat. win bring you one
At the first opportunity after dark I'll
come to the trap and knock. Follow me
down stairs. don't think any one will
recognize you in these clothes They
have been packed away since my brother
went to Virginia a year ago Mamma
only saw you. when you were here be-
fore, after dark on the veranda, and
well, | think there viii be very good
chance for you to play guest without
detection.
THE servants
They would never betray Yankee.
They think you are all coming down to
free them, and they'll have nothing to
do but lie in the sun"
Not an unpleasant occupation on a
pleasant day" said Mark irrelevantly.
Should anything happen, only fear
mamma. And, after all, she is WON.
an" she added significantly
(which you pretend not to be-
IF all goes well you will be assigned
a room-the guest chamber perhal s.
and if il is not safe for you to be down
stairs, you may feign to be i'll and keep
your apartment
Mark was better pleased with the plan
than remaining where he was. He did
not expect to remain in the house longer
than till the next night, when he hoped
those who We're seeking for him would
become tired of the hunt and give him a
chance for his life
I'm do all you suggest" he said to
Laura, "and whether you wish it or not
am very grateful"
She lowered her eyes under his look OF
gratitude and then went below.
AS soon as it grew dark Mark listened
for the signal. 1t came few minutes
before nine o'clock. Mrs. Fain had re.
manned in the parlor up to that moment,
when she went up stairs to get some arti-
Gle necessary 70 piece of work she was
doing Laura followed her, turning out
the lights by the way and keeping on up
TO the attic.
Within few seconds after her knock
Mark wac descending the stairs and in
twinklin- was in tue parlor. Not half
a minute elapsed between the signal and
his arrival there.
1t was Lot long before Mrs. Fain was
heard cropping about upstairs in the dark,
wanting 10 know who had turned ont
the lights and calling on a servant to re-
light them. When she entered the par
Tor she was surprised to see her daughter
in company with a stranger. who WAS
standing, hat IN hand as though he had
Just come in from without.
Mamma, said Laura, with her heart
in her throat. Int with the most assured |
of innocent tones. this is a gentleman
who-Mr. -"
"Rhett, supplied Mark.
Mr. Rhett. Of
.South Carolina
ANY old Virginia or South Carolina
name was quite enough to insure well
come from Mrs Fam. Without waiting
to hear what he might say further or an
account Of how he came TO be there so
she said;
I'm pleased to see you, sir; are you
related to the Rhetts, of South Caro-
lina:"
I'VE all came Of the same main stem,
said Mark, assuming the tone
of southern gentleman.
Mr.. Rhett is travelling. mamma. He
says that-that'-
Il am looking for mines, madam.
You may not know it, but You are IN
the center of rich mineral region"