Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-01-26

Hcip hic thAVuBhs AOuAS "a YIN r.
! Daniel"
In the morning when all was ready
for the departure two vehicles were
} brought around to the door. the one, a
two horse carriage, the other Laura's
phaeton, drawn by her pony. Mrs. Fam
} entered the former with Alice, Daniel
being in the drivers seat. Laura and
Mark got into the phaeton.
Mark took the lead, designing 70 make
for Battle Creek The distance was not
twenty miles, and he knew that they
could make it in few hours. 1t was a
bold game he was playing, but the
proximity OF the halter was wearing on
him, and he desired to get rid of sus-
pense. Besides his presence, connected
with his crit al situation. was wearing
ON Laura. He therefore felt an exhil-
arating pleasure when they drove out Of
the gate and trotted along the pike
westward. Hope cheered him.
All went well during the first ten or
twelve miles, when Mark received a
piece of information which seriously in
terfered with his plan. Meeting
courier riding toward Chattanooga.
who looked as if he might be the bearer
of some important news, Mark hailed
him and asked if he had anything from
the front.
.'The Yankees air getten moth right
smart, the man replied. Reckon tn
air left Battle Creek"
Mark argued that if this were true
there would be confusion on that route.
aud it would be better to take another
They We're not far from the road leading
from the Chattanooga pike north TO An
derson. ON which the Stacks lived.
Mark concluded to take this road as far
8 Anderson. and then strike west with
view TO reaching McMinnville on the
other side Of the mountains. Mrs Fain
loft all to Prof ssor Rhett in whom she
Lad perfect confidence, and on coming
10 the road in question Mark led the
party northwarl.
The change Of route was unfortunate,
inasm ich as it would add another day
to the journey. The departure from the
Fain esidence had been delayed by the
preparations till nearly noon McMinn-
vile was a considerable distance over
the mountains, and Mark knew they
could not reach it that night He re-
memhered that they would soon pass
the Slleks and it occurred TO him that
it would be capital place to pass the
night giving them "a good day of twelve
hours light on the morrow to pursue
their Journey. His disappointment at
fba dplav xuaq ,.otny.npcatad f,r ~ tbo
Thought that he would likely learn
something Of Souri, and Jakey, of whom
he had heard nothing since he left them
iii the Chattanooga Jail.
Mark told Laura of his plan. She was
distressed at the delay Something /
seemed to tell her that ii would bring /
trouble. But Marks reasoning was I'M
answerable, and there seemed nothing
else to do. If they must spend night I
anywhere it would better be among /
those upon whom Mark could rely.
At last they drove up at the Stacks
gate. Mark handed the reins to Laura
and jumped from the phaeton inpatient
ly. Not seeing any one in the front Of
the house he proceeded to the rear. The.
first person he met was Jakey. He took
the boy mp and Rugged him.
Are You glad to see your big brother,
Jaleyg'
Air tn corn ripey"
Souri, came out of the house, her big
eyes glstening and her expressive face
radiant with pleasure and excitement
She had heard nothing Of Mark since he
left her in prison. Mark seized her by
both hands
"You uns air safe. | knowed it." she
said, almost in a whisper. She could
hardly speak for joy.
For the present, Souri,, thanks to
you"
Mark asked no questions then. He
knew that they We're safe and at home,
and he FASTENED to inform them and the
father and mother who came out to well !
come him that he was with party who
was unaware of his true character. which
they must not betray, and desired per
mission to stay in the house over night.
Then he led them around to the gate. :
Daniel had meanwhile caught up, and !
The two vehicles were halted in the road. |
I'VE will spend the night with these I
good people," said Mark. "They are !
quite willing, and will make us as com j
Portable as possible" t
The party alighted and the horses were !
iriven to the barn. Mrs. Fain and her i
laughter were given the room in which v
Mark had changed his clothes when he i
vent through to the south, and Mark was
assigned bivouac on the gallery, or in S
he barn, or any other place he might Sc d
ect. n
An apology for a meal was carried in
o Mrs. Fain and Laura, which they left |.
preferring luncheon they had o
brought with them in a basket. After f
upper Laura came out and begged Mark a
o bring Souri, and Jakey to speak to her. II
She smoothed Jakey's tumbled hair ont 4
# his eyes and asked him if he remem- y
'ered her. Jakey was about to reply in c
rs usual fashion when he checked him.
II II