Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-18

iOUt Bou us D'V"t''
The pain that would otherwise have
attended this scene was alleviated In
Laura's heart by the delight she felt at
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 O
cigarl I 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 verands.
Captain" said Mark as soon As they
were outside. ~ have never met man
whom have 30 admired, SO honored, a.
you. and yet ! have robbed You Of your
love. This last act Of kindness to her
and to me, 80 well indicating your mag.
naninity, is more than can bear. /
cannot accept anything more, even for
her sake. I cannot stay here to DO
shielded by you and behind her skirts.
I am about to leave this veranda and'fy
to the Union lines. Thank God, 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 l never
expect to see her again. / shall doubt
less be captured before tomorrow noon.
II you were not my enemy, II you had
not been my rival, would love you as
q brother"
Without waiting for 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 q time he was In sort OF stupor.
When he emerged from 1t the first thing
that took definite shape In his mind was
o deliberation as to what he should do.
Should he 60 In and confess all to the
major Should he keep the secret
Laura's secret? He leaned against .
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 mp
and went out ON the veranda.
"whers's GreenY' he asked quickly.
"Gone."
"Goney
eyes. gone half an hour ago."
"What does this mean, Cameron
"It means that I have been keeping
from you what I can keep no longer or
I would. This man Green Il Federal
spy"
Taliaferro throw up his hands In hor.
ror.
"And you have been protecting him1'
eyes"
"Cameron-my friend-great God
are You q traitori There is something
back-tell me, quick"
"Twice before he has crossed my path.
He was taken and tried at Chattanooga.
I was detailed to defend him. ! had
never seen him before. He was found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged, but
escaped.
"When met him again It was at the
Fains' house. Laura Fain, the woman
up stairs, then my betrothed, but now
his wife. was concesling him"
"WellY'
81 saw that she was infatuated with
him. She claimed him for her guest
r.
"wsll. go on"
~ could not honorably inform on
him."
"Oh. Camergn-what sbsurdity-
what idiocy-whst"-
"This afternoon you sent for me. i
came. saw the man I had seen twice
bsfors-with my--with the loveliest, the
noblest Of AL women-his wife,"
Tis major ou!y stared at his friend;
kS had ho words y sxpnss his feelings,
bis sympathy. a
"when We came out here hs told mo
that he would accept nothing further
Tor himself st my hands; that be would
not shisld himself bshtnd . womau's
skirtA Hs walked swsy before me-"