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

ANY luck! he asked anNlOuSly
Il got de pass for misses and de res,
but l didn't get what 20 wanted. got
a paper hyar. Mebbe it'll do
Mark took the paper 1t was pass
for Thomas Green and wife from Chat
tanooga to the Union lines.
"EIow did you get this" asked Mark,
surprised.
81 hab to wait while folks was getten
passes. De officer go out to de udder
noon, frr moment. Dis was laven on
de desk n tux Int up and bruDg hit
away"
"Well." said Mark, "its not exactly
what I want. but ingenuity will have TO
help me through. You're trump,
Daniel"
In the morning when all was ready
for the departure two vehicles were
brought around to the dooy, the one, a
two horse carriage the other Lauras
phaeton, drawn by her pony. Mrs Fain
entered the former with Alice, Daniel
being in the drivers seat. Laura and
Mark got into the phaeton.
Mark took the lead designing to make
for Battle Creek The distance was not
twenty miles, and he knew that they
could make it in a 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 bis critical 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,
and it would be better to take another.
They were 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
as Anderson, and then strike west with
a view to reaching McMinnville on the
other side Of the mountains. Mrs. Fain
left all to Professor Rhett, in whom she
| had perfect confidence, and on coming
| to the road in question Mark led the
party northwarl.
The change of route was unfortunate,
| inasmuch as it would add another day
| TO the journey. The departure from the
Fain residence 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-
| membered that they would soon pass
| the Sllcks', and it occurred to him that
! 1t 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
the delay was compensated for by the
thought that he would likely learn
something of Souri, and Jakey, of whom
he HAD heard nothing since he left them
in the Chattanooga Jail.
Mark told Laura of his plan. She was
distressed at the delay. Something
seemed to tell her that it would bring
trouble. Bat Mark reasoning was I'M
answerable, and there seemed nothing
else to do. If they must spend night
anywhere it would better be among
these 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 impatient
| ly. Not seeing any one III the front of
the house he proceeded to the rear. The
first person he met was Jakey. He took
the boy up and Rugged him.
"Are you glad to see your big brother,
Jakey?"
'Air tn corn ripe%
Souri, came out Of the house, her big
eyes glistening 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
| ptNAN' diiLOSO III NiiiHpSis puO COulu
hardly speak for joy.
For the present, Souri,, thanks tc
you"
Mark asked no questions then. He
knew that they were safe and at home
and he FASTENED TO inform them and the
father and mother who came out to wei
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, am
the two vehicles were halted in the road
1--WE will spend the night with thes,
good people," said Mark. They are
quite willing, and will make US as com
Portable as possible"
The party alighted and the horses were
driven to the barn. Mrs. Fain and hel
daughter were given the room in which
Mark had changed his clothes when he
went through to the south, and Mark wa,