The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-03-16

/ pleasure or q woman wnom ne was pre-
tending to treat as a guest. The couple
walked leisurely down the 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 Lauras 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 az they were concealed
behind the trees Mark stopped suddenly
and turned to Laura:
my God, this is terriblev'
"You are lostr' said Laura family.
She could scarcely speak the words.
81? Yes, I. But you-what have I
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 is
'sNo 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 a 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.
"All can do to atone for this" Mark
went on rapidly, land 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.
| :.Nor'
''Then can do nothing for YOU"
II will marry only the man who loves
me, and whom love-
''Oh, Laura he said, eff your heart
were only mine, then it would be diff
ferent. I love you so well, worship
you with such fervor that I would go
back to that dreadful Jail without a
word could l place you where you were
before you met me. But you
Laura burst into torrent of tears.
This man, who had SO suddenly ap-
peared in her life; who had won her
sympathy: who had compelled her adj
miration; who had absorbed her whole
being into his daring, chivalrous, reck-
less nature-this man loved her, and he
was doomed.
With Cry she threw her arms around
his neck.
Laura, sweetheart" said Mark, ca
ressing her, "we have but little time.
We know not whom we shall have to
face. Ny 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 a
ring upon ia plain gold band. He
took it off, and putting it ON her finger
again said:
| Il, Mark
els it really Mark?''
eyes, am Mark Maynard. I, Mark,
take you, Laura, to be my wife. Do you
take me to be your husband?"
81 do
sThen 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 a 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 have
ever felt. must live to make you happy.
Be ready for anything that may happen,
my darling, my wife. shall doubtless
play some bold game; don't know
what, but it will be bold. If I leave
you suddenly, meet me Should succeed
in my attempt) 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
go back when they met the major. He
was uneasy lest Mark should depart
without leave. He accompanied them
back to the house.