Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-09

Ten minutes later the spy was sound
asleep on camp cot in q tent belonging
to one of the staff.
Mark had had no sleep for twenty
eight hours, and for much of that time
he believed that he would be retaken
and hanged. Now he slept deep sleep
Hour after hour went by, and though
bugles called and drums ratified he
slumbered on. He dreamed that he was
at Chattanooga. He was standing on
the scaffold. Soldiers surrounded him.
The moose was adjusted about his neck.
He heard the sound of the AK as it cut
the rope. He awoke with cry.
Laura Fain-no. Laura Maynard-his
wife-was standing beside him.
She sank down by the cot, and in Il
moment they re in each others arms.
Neither spoke Neither wished to do
aught but leave tears-tears of an ex-
quisite happiness--to flow on silently.
For time Laura saw in Marks face
only reflection of her own happiness.
He was feasting his eyes upon her. pass
ing his fingers through her dark hair or
smoothing it back with his hand, while
he covered her face with kisses.
Suddenly thought seemed to come
between her and him.
"What is it darling?" she asked anx-
iously.
Il was thinking said Mark "But
no: | will not think of that"
Tell me-.
81 was wondcring-Laura, did you
love him.
Laura cast down her eyes.
Love? Was it love:' She asked the
question of herself. 1T was a summer
breeze while this
"This?"
SIS tempest"
Drawing her to him, before imprinting
a kiss Mark added to her smile:
"A wild west wind.
"You are thinking of your Shelley"
she said 81 shall love him too, now,
since it was he vino betrayed you to
me-
And I shall love him the more be-
cause he betrayed me-and made me-.
He did not finish. He was thinking
of the morning in the garnet when in
her imperious way she had claimed that
saving his life had made her its owner
She remembered it, too, and smiling fin
ished for him:
And made you my slave. But who
made me your Tyre even as the forest
is to the west wind:
Her caresses prevented reply for q
time When there was pause Mark
exclaimed wonderingly:
"Oh. woman. why must you so often
deny to the worthy that which you may
give in such abundance to one whose
only recommendation is an ability to
catch your fancy
Again there came into his face the ex-
preston Of thought which seemed for
the moment to carry him away from
her.
What is it now" she queried anx-
iously.
f. Mark smiled. You will laugh at me
when | tell you"
Then you must be laughed at
Il was wondering if when get bacl,
to headquarters, the general will want
me to go right away on another mis-
SION
Her arms We're about him. She drew
a little away and fixed her black eyes
upon him. They shone like those of
some savage but beautiful animal about
to be bereft of her Young.
''If you go again she said fiercelv
Unto the presence of such a death will
go with YOU.
Mark made no reply, except to throw
his arms about her neck and draw hel
to him again. Her fierceness was with
him her chief charm. Then lie made an
effort to rise.
Stay where you are she said in the
same imperious tone in which she had
given the order once before when he
threatened to leave the garnet: ''you shall
lie there till you promise that you will
be spy no more
Let me up" cried Mark, smiling al
her earnestness.
Lie still.'
"Come, sweetheart" he said plead
ingly, "let Inc get mp, and I'll say with
Hotspur to his Kate, When I'm OF
horseback I'll swear | love thee intin
itely.'"
Mark was on his back, his arms pin
toned. He was powerless. He was sur
prised at Laura's strength.
Promise"
"Never,'
PROMISE"
why so? know I shall be dying tc
so again in week.
Then you shall lie there till the wal
is over
But thought you told me once tha
if you were man you would be all
have been"
$50 | would. And you, being a man
might continue TO be so We're YOU tn,
husband Of any other woman; but mine
never
Mark looked into her eyes and knew
, that his career in tire secret service ha,
ended, The savage opposition ne saw
there t. his ever again risking such
death as he had but a few days befur,
barely escaped was too strong for him
Where was his adroitness. his ingenu