Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-03-10

IF you had not been my Tipdl arOuld
lone you as q brother"
The pain that would otherwise have
attended this scene was alleviated in
Laura's heart by the delight she felt at
a prospect Of safety for her husband.
She gave her former afiianced q look of
gratitude. Then she glanced at Mark
for instructions. Seeing no hint in his
eyes she passed out of the room and went
up stairs.
Captain" said Mark, 'may beg q
cigarf l usually smoke at this time of
night"
Here are cigars. gentleman" said
Taliaferro, producing box.
''If you smoke. captain" added Mark,
81 shall be pleased with your company"
with pleasure"
All lighted cigars, and Mark and
Fitz Hugh strolled out on the veranda.
Captain" said Mark as soon as they
were outside. II have never met man
whom I have so admired, so honored, as
you, and yet have robbed you of your
love. This last act of kindness to her
and to me, 80 well indicating your mag
nanimity, is more than I can bear. I
cannot accept anything more, even for
her sake. l cannot stay here to be
shielded by you and behind her skirts.
I am about to leave this veranda and fly
to the Union lines. Thank God, l have
met one who is the soul Of honor, in
whose charge I leave my wife. Consider
her under your care. She will doubtless
need all you can give her, for I never
expect to see her again. shall doubt
less be captured before tomorrow roon.
If you were not my enemy, if you had
not been my rival, would love you az
brother"
Without waiting for a reply Mark left
the veranda, and in another moment
was lost in the darkness.
Captain Fitz Hugh stood as one petri-
fed. So many conflicting emotions were
within him that nothing seemed real.
For time he was in q sort Of stupor.
When he emerged from it the first thing
that took definite shape in his mind was
elaboration as to what he should do.
Should he go in and confess all to the
major? Should he keep the secret
Laura's secret? He leaned against Q
pillar Of the veranda and passed his hand
over his brow.
He could not stab Laura; he could not
even betray the man who had left her in
his care. He did nothing.
Half an hour had elapsed when Talia-
ferro, who had been busying himself
with some papers. began to wonder what
had become Of the two men. He got up
aud went out ON the veranda.
where's Greenl" he asked quickly.
"Gone."
"GOneY'
"Yes, gone half an hour ago."
"What does this mean, Cameron
1T means that have been keeping
from you what / can keep no longer or
would. This man Green is Federal
spy"
Taliaferro threw up his hands in hor-
TOR.
And you have been protecting him.
"Yes."
"Cameron-my friend-great God
are you q traitor? There is something
back-tell me, quick"
"Twice before he has crossed my path.
He was taken and tried at Chattanooga.
! was detailed to defend him. l had
never seen him before. He was found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged, but
escaped.
when l met him again it was at the
Fains' house. Laura Fain. the woman
up stairs, then my betrothed, but now
his wife, was concealing him."
"Well%'
II saw that she was infatuated with
him. She claimed him for her guest.
p
We'll, 60 on"
Il could not honorably inform on
him."
, "Oh, Cameron-what absurdity-
what idiocy-what"-
This afternoon You sent for me. l
came. saw the man had seen twice
before-with my-with the loveliest, the
noblest of all women-his wife"
The major only stared at his friend;
he had no words to express his feelings,
his sympathy.
when we came ont here he told me
that he would accept nothing further
for himself at my hands: that he would
not shield himself behind a woman's
skirts. He walked away before me-"
''And your
IL permitted him."
Taliaferro shuddered. He knew that
his friend by his act had placed himself
in terrible position.
Cameron" he said, do you know
you are liable to be shot for this!'
II do"
II always told you," the major went
on anxiously, impatiently, THAT your
notions of honor were absurd, quixotic."