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


would breathe easier.
When they reached it Mrs. Fain hat
been passed through and gone on. Th'
officer in command, however. had READ
the pass carefully. He had not noticed
ans mention Of Mark in it.
Where's your pass" he asked.
Didn't the lady ahead show 1t e
tour asked Mark.
Her pass didn't include you.
Didn't it," Mark feignea surprise.
mo"
"Oh. | forgot: mine and my wife's Is
peparate,n and he drew out the pass OF
..Thomas Green and wife.
Meanwhile Laura had turned white as
cloth. The officer read the pass, and
would doubtless have let them go had
he not noticed Laura's agitation.
You'll have to go back to headquar-
tiers and get Major Taliaferro's order on
that. He commands at Anderson.
! Mark demonstrated. He argued that
he would become separated from Mrs.
Fain: he urged his wife's desire to reach
her sick father. All in vain. He was
told that the headquarters were only
half a mile down the road and he would
lose but little time. He made virtue
Of necessity and drove back with appar-
ent good nature.
When he reached the house that was
pointed out to him as headquarters, he
left Laura in the phaeton and went in
side. The commanding officer had gone
to Dunlap. FIVE miles away, to pay his
respects TO General Bragg, and would
not be back for an hour or two.
Mark resolved to report his absence to
the officer Of the picket post, in The hope
that be would not be compelled to wait.
He drove to the picket and used his
tongue persuasiyely, but to no purpose.
The more anxious he seemed the more
resolved grew the captain.
There seemed to be nothing 10 do but
return and await the arrival Of the COM
manding officer Mark reluctantly
turned the horses head and drove back
to head quarters. Laura's heart sank
within r.
1t was sunset when Major Taiiaferro.
pleasant looking man of twenty seven
or tweniy-eight, rode mp to the door.
and turning his horse over to an orderly
entered the office.
Major Taliaferroy" asked Mark.
'At your service, sir"
''Major. have been detained by the
officer at the picket, who wants your
name ON my pass Ny wife's mother
has gone on, and her daughter is very
anxious TO join her. 1t is extremely I'M
fortunate for Us to get so far separated
from Mrs Fain."
"Fain, Of the Fains of Chattanooga
..The same.
Il have heard Of the family, but have
never had the pleasure Of meeting any
Of it. One OF my friends is en-
gagged to Miss Fain. have just parted
from him at Dunlap"
Mark and Laura cast quick glance
at each other-a glance of terror ON the
part of Laura.
1--WE are fortunate in falling into your
hands, said Mark. and | beg you will
not delay us a moment" And Mark |
handed him the pass.
Certainly not" And the major took /
up pen to write his Endorsement. First |
ne read the pass carefully. He was
of what his friend Fitz Hugh |
lad told him of the Fains. He was
lnder the impression that there was but |
me daughter.
mir. Green" he said, looking up from
he pass, hadn't you better stay here
,ver night? The road is iioGntainous
md infested by gurerillas. IL is positive
y dangerous to travel"
by no mems. What would Mrs.
Fain think Of ar not joining her on the
oadf'
lit is dangerous for her as well as you.
III send messenger after her and ad-
Use her stopping at some farmhouse.
II do better than that III send cor
'oral aud half dozen men to insure
Ter safety till morning"
There was something in the mans
one, polite as it was, that indicated to
lark that he was held for further in
''As you please, major"
"And shall insist upon your accept
1b NY hospitality. Vic CoHHtCttu III
ny way with my friend Fitz Hugh
aust not want for any comfort can
upply."
The house occupied by Major Talia-
erro belonged to family who had
lady given up portion of it for the
afety insured by the presence of a com
handling officer. The major was given
room down stairs for an Office, and
edroom up stairs. When it was decid-
that Mark and Laura should remain
e gave Mrs. Green, as he called her,
ne use of the latter for the purpose of
her toilet before supper.
When Laura was up stairs Mark was
,oking ont of the window of the ma
IRIS office. He saw the men ride off to
vertake Mrs. Fain. To his consterna-
on another cavalryman, with letter
i his belt, mounted his horse and dashed )
avn the road