Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-11
to the road in question MARX led the

inaSmucn - IL WOulu euu enOtner day
to tho journey. The departure from The
Fain .esidence had been delayed by the
preparations till nearly noon. McMinn
VILE was o considerable distance ovel
the mountains, and Mark knew they
could not reach II that night. He 10
membered that they would soon pasl
the 81 licks', and It occurred to him tha,
II would be capital place to pass the
night giving them good day Of twelve
hours light on the morrow to pursue
their Journey. His disappointment a,
the delay was compensated for by the
thought that he would likely learn
something Of Bouri and Jakey. Of whom
he ha.i heard nothing since he left them
In the Chattanooga Jail.
Mark told Laura of his plan. She wa,
distressed ut the delay. Something
seemed to tell her that II would bring
trouble. But Marks reasoning was un.
answerable, and there seemed nothing
else to do. n they must spend night
anywhere II 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 impatient
ly. Not seeing any one In the front Of
the house he proceeded to the rear. The
first person he met was Jakey. He tool
the boy mp and Rugged him.
"Are You glad to see your big brother,
JakeyY
"Air tn corn ripper
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. Iknowed It," she
said. almost In q whisper. She could
hardly speak for Joy.
"For the present, Souri,, thanks to
you"
Mark asked no questions then. He
knew that they were safe and at home,
and he hastened to inform them and the
father and mother who came out to wei
come him that he was with q 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.
'"we will spend the night with these
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 her
daughter were given the room In which
Mark had changed his clothes when he
went through to the sorth. and Mark was
assigned bivouac on the gallery. or In
the barn, or any other place he might Sc
lect.
An apology for meal was carried in
to Mrs. Fain and Laura, which they left
untasted, preferring a luncheon they had
brought with them In basket. After
supper Laura came out and begged Mark
to bring Souri, and Jakey TO speak to her.
She smoothed Jakeys tumbled hair out
Of his eyes and asked him II he remem.
bered her. Jakey was about to reply In
his usual fashion when he checked him.
self, and for the first time since Mark
had known him answered directly.
Souri, stood eying Laura from the cor
ners Of her black eyes with mingled
expression Of admiration and antago-
nism. Laura spoke to her kindly, but
got only monosyllables In reply.
Mark passed the evening with the
Slack family listening to recital OF
Souri's and Jakey's experience after he
had left them in the jailat Chattanooga,
and he gave them an account OF his own
adventures.
After all were asleep that night Mark
took Farmer Slack out into the yard.
where they could converse unheard, and
developed u plan he had conceived for
Souri, and Jakey.
at Is due to your son and daughter"
he said, "that am here ut this moment.
indeed that l am alive. belong to a
wealthy family and am wealthy myself.
Il only requires means to make splen.
did woman Of the girl and fine man OF
the boy, for means will produce educa-
ton, and education Is the open door toa
.irable career. I am going to leave
.i..i you letter to my father In Ohio,
,lich will contain an order for q sufii.
lent amount of money to insure both
.'akey and Souri, an education. Take or
send them north, present the letter, and
'ou will find everything provided for
iou. Souri, may not consent at once,
nut doubtless she will In time. Now !
must have pen and paper"
"You uns Is q good un, stranger. Y
treat us far. Hadn't you better send the
litter when y git nothT
"No. must write II tonight. am
by no means safe; my neck Is still In q
halter"
The man led the way to his bedroom,
where the old woman was sleeping.
There he produced writing materials,
and Mark wrote an order which, whether
10 lived or not, insured the future OF his
.wo friends, his pressrvers among the
poor white trash" Of Tennessee.
The night was passed with snatches OF
leep by all the party. In the morning,
.,ftcr the pork and corn bread meal OF
he country, the travellers again got
into the carriages. While they were
standing before the gate prior to de-
,arture Mark saw Souri, out by the well.
,ouse. He went there to bid her good.
oy.
"Souri," he said, IL wish there was
,ome way In which could show you
he gratitude feel toward you. When
think Of my fate, had you not appeared
the nick OF time to save me by your
Wit and daring and sacrifice, feel that
would like to make some correspond
ng sacrifice for you."
"Laws, I didn't do nothen. Besides
she leaned over the well and looked
lown into Its depths-"you uns and me
too differ. You uns Is gentleman.
md I air poor white trash"
There was an inexpressible melan.
holy In her tone.
"Souri," Mark went on, 81 have made
m arrangement with your father TO
make lady Of you. can't make such
sacrifice for you as you have made for
ne; that Is impossible; but ! can do this
4 You will net with me and consent to
the plan. shall DO OF in moment,
md before I 60 want you to promise
ne that you will consent. II Am stu In
LANCER, and you must grant me this ~
psrhaps last favor"
The girl burst into tears.