Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-02-08
ANDERSON, Aug. 20, 1862

There was strength of nerve in Mark
that would not break while there was
hope. He chatted with the host or jailer,
whichever he might be called, with ease,
and at times with gayety. Not SO Laura.
The situation was too frightful for her
to endure without some manifestation
of anxiety. She ate nothing. She did
not hear what was said to her, and her
eyes plainly showed the troubled spirit
within. Mark made no reference to her
condition till after supper. Then, when
all three went ont on to the veranda, he
said to her:
Come, let us take stroll. You have
been travelling all day, and this delay
troubles you. A walk in the air will re-
vive you"
Mark assumed with such apparent
carelessness that he was free to walk
about where he liked that Taliaferro
had not the will to stop him. Besides
he had no heart to interfere with the
pleasure of woman whom he was pre-
tending to treat as guest. The couple
walked leisurely down tho road, Mark
looking at the sunset tints with well as
sumed Indifference, occasionally point
ing to some object by the way or in the
distance, calling Laura's attention to it
at the same time. He knew the majors
gaze was fixed upon him, and he was
doing all this for purpose.
The road led straight from the house
short distance and then entered q
wood. AS soon as they were concealed
behind the trees Mark stopped suddenly
and turned to Laura:
"My God, this is terrible!'
"You are lost!" said Laura family.
She could scarcely speak the words.
"I? Yes, I. But you-what have l
led you into? Why was it not over on
that morning when it was intended'
Then you would not be implicated; now
your good name isl
mo one will trouble me-" she gasped.
"But you-they will drag you"-
"You have protected me-a spy. Not
only that-that is nothing in comparison
with having passed as my wife There
is blight"
II can bear It,"
"There is but one way out Of this dis
grace. You must be married before we
return to that house. And to whom!'-
his voice changed from rapid, excited
tone to deepest gloom-"to one who must
die-die on the scaffold. At any rate
YOU will be free. You will be widow"
Laura stood, the very impersonation
of despair.
call can do to atone for this" Mark
went on rapidly, "and it is nothing-is
to make you my wife, since have passed
YOU as such. Laura, will you marry me"
She looked at him earnestly. Her
eyes were big with deep emotion. There
was look in them that he could not un-
derstand.
"No!"
"Then can do nothing for you."
II will marry only the man who loves
me, and whom I love-"
"Oh, Laura" he said, "if your heart
were only mine, then it would be diff
ferent. I love you so we'll, I worship
you with such fervor that I would go
back to that dreadful jail without q
word could place you where you were
before you met me. But you"-
Laura burst into q torrent of tears.
This man, who had 80 suddenly ap-
peared in her life; who had won her
sympathy; who had compelled her ad-
miration; who had absorbed her whole
being into his daring, chivalrous, reck-
less nature-this man loved her, and he
was doomed.
With a cry she threw her arms around
his neck.
Laura, sweetheart" said Mark, ca
ressing her, 1--WE have but little time.
We know not whom we shall have to
face. My true character must soon be
known. Will you give yourself to one
who will doubtless tomorrow be claimed
by'-
Pale as ashes she put her hand over
his mouth that he might not speak the
word "death."
"Will you? Speak"
Eyes, now, quick; what can we do'"
"Marry ourselves"
"How?"
He grasped her hand. There was q
ring upon it-a plain gold band. He
took it off, and putting it on her finger
again said:
81, Mark"-
"Is it really Mark?'
eyes, am Mark Maynard. I, Mark,
take you, Laura, tc be my wife. Do you
take me to be your husbandT'
II do"
"Then we are man and wife in the
sight of God"-
"And for man we care not"
"Man and wife under the law. We
are really married"
Scarcely was this hurried ceremony
over when cavalryman came riding
leisurely from the direction of head
quarters. He had been sent by Major
Taliaferro-who, as soon as Mark was
out of sight, became anxious with re-
gard to him-with instructions to keep
him in sight without appearing to do so.
There was nothing left for them to do
but return to the house. AS they walked
Mark whispered:
81 feel again all the confidence 1 have
ever felt. I must live to make you happy.
Be ready for anything that may happen,
my darling, my wife. 1 shall doubtless
play some bold game; I don't know
what, but it will be bold. If I leave
you suddenly, meet me Should succeed
in my atrempD within the Union lines.
If not, we will meet-in heaven"
These few words were all that Mark
had time to say to his newly married
wife. For scarcely had they turned to
20 back when they met the major. HE
was uneasy lest Mark should depart
without leave. He accompanied them
back to the house.
40 BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.
DIDN'T TAKE QUITE ALL.-Senatol
Carlisle is comparatively poor man
~ TO u