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

h tlle IOdu lie ItN. '''D NShci al DIdBS
was at Dunlap With no troops save
cavalry.
81 see it nj he spy to himself.
"The willy foX renting our forces
with handful! g.. cavalry, while the
two divisions of ChCatham and Withers
are marching north behind him, and the
main force has gone to Knoxville by
rail on u line still farther east. No
wonder our generals are puzzled and
watching a line from Battle creek to
Cumberland gap. If the Lord will only
let me get through to carry this infor-
nation, I'll never ask to live to 90 on
another such expedition"
The party were stopped near Ander-
son by a picket. Mrs. Fain produced
her pass and stated that the two behind
were in her company. The officer took
no especial care in reading it, and when
Mark and Laura came up they got safely
through without question.
Mark was now anxious about the
picket which must be passed in IL few
minutes on tho road leading west from
Anderson Mrs. Fain was still ahead.
and he hoped that all would go as well
as at the picket just passed. Not II
word was spoken between him and
Laura; both dreaded getting out Of An
aerson. but once past the next picket they
would breathe easier.
When they reached it Dirs. Fain had
been passed through and gone on. The
officer in command, however, had read
the pass carefully. He had not noticed
any mention of Mark in it.
Where's your pass:' he asked.
Didn't the lady ahead show it to
your" asked Mark.
Her pass didn't include YOU
Didn't III" Mark feigned surprise.
mo"
ooh, forgot; mine and my wife's is
separate" and he drew out the pass of
Thomas Green and wife"
Meanwhile Laura had turned white as
cloth. Tie officer read the pass, and
would doubtless have let them go had
he not noticed Laura's agitation.
You'll have to go back to headquar-
ters and get Major Taliaferro's order on
that. He commands at Anderson"
Mark demonstrated. He argued that
he would become separated from Mrs.
Fain; he urged his wife's desire to reach
her sick father. All in vain. He was
told that the headquarters were only
half a mile down the road and he would
lose but little time. He made virtue
of necessity and drove back with appar-
ent good nature.
When he reached the house that was
pointed ont to him as headquarters, he
left Laura in the phaeton and went in
side. The commanding officer had gone
to Dunlap, five miles away, TO pay his
respects to General Bragg, and would
not be back for an hour or two.
Mark resolved to report his absence to
the officer Of the picket post, in the hope
that he would not be compelled to wait.
He drove to the picket and used his
tongue persuasively, but to no purpose.
The more anxious he seemed the more
resolved grew the captain.
There seemed to be nothing to do but
return and await the arrival of the COM
manding officer. Mark reluctantly
turned the horses head and drove back
to headquarters. Laura's heart sank
within her.
1t was sunset when Major Taliaferro,
pleasant looking man of twenty-seven
or twenty eight, rode up to the door,
and turning his horse over to an orderly
entered the Office.
major Taliaferro:" asked Mark.
cat your service, SIR"
major, | have been detained by the
officer at the picket, who wants your
name ON my pass. My wifes mother
has gone on, and her daughter is very
anxious to join her. 1t is extremely I'M
fortunate for us to get so far separated
from Mrs. Fain."
"Fain, of tho Fains of Chattanooga"
1.-The same"
Il have heard Of the family, but have
never had the pleasure of meeting any
member of it. One of my friends is en-
gagged to Miss Fain. have just parted
from him at Dunlap"
Mark and Laura cast quick glance
at each other-a glance of terror on the
part of Laura.
Eve are fortunate in falling into youl
hands" said Mark, and | beg you will
not delay us q moment" And Mark
handed him the pass
Certainly not" And the major took
up pen to write his Endorsement. First
he read the pass carefully. He was
thinking of what his friend Fitz Hugh
had told him of the Fains. He was
under tho impression that there was but
one daughter.
"Mr. Green" he said, looking up from
the pass, "hadn't you better stay here
over night? The road is mountainous
and infested by gurerillas. 1t is positive
ly dangerous to travel"
SPY no means. What would Mrs
Fain think of >ur not joining her on the
road:"
at is dangerous for her as we'll as you
I'll send Il messenger after her and ad
wise her stopping at some farmhouse
III do better than that. I'll send cor
poral and half a dozen men to insure
her safety till morning"
There was something in the man;
tone, polite as it was that indicated tc
Mark that he was held for further in
Go,