Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-11

N'@|!g!y
"You uns 10 a gentleman, and Iatr poor
trhitc trash"
Marks first impulse after Fitz Hugh's
departure was to leave the house at
once. He tried 10 say something to
Laura to soothe her, to excuse his own
unfortunate part n her bre, king with
her lover. He couli only 10 20 her and
taking her hand kissed II without
word. Then he told her that he should
take the risk Of capture anG depart In.
stantly.
He was discoursirs upon the method
Of his departure In quick, excited tones,
when hoi seman entered the yard, and
riding up to the v.randa drew u lette.
from his belt and handed l. to Q negro
who went out to receive 1t. Il was for
Mrs. Fain. II had been sent through
the lines from Nashville, where her hus
band was lying dangerously III, and
begged her to come to him.
After its perusal Mrs. Fain determined
to set out the next day, taking with her
her daughter and tho maid Alice. Daniel
would drive them.
"You shall go with u.s." said Laura to
LARK. "This Is fortunate. In our com.
I any you will be far safer than trying
to make your way alone"
II occurred to Mark that siLce he was
being hunted as a half starved creature
la the disguise Of negro girl he would
I've less liable to suspicion as . well
dressed man travelling with party OF
southern ladies than in any other char
acter. At any rate he took this view Of
1t, and when Mrs. Fain announced her
intention tn 20 he offered to escort the
party to the Union lines.
The Offer was accepted, and prepara-
tions were made to leave the next morn
ing. Mrs. Fain wrote note to the officer
In command at Chattanooga Ito send with
the letter she had received from her hns.
band for his perusaD asking for pass
for herself, her daughter and two serv-
ants. Mark took the nissives and went
out to find Daniel, who had just re-
turned from Chattanooga.
"well. DauielY'
81 ben dar."
"what did you learnY"
81 hearn ebery one talken bout sojers
goen to de norf, and dey sayd day was
goen to Knoxville. Dey was inarchen n
marchen all de same way. I follered n
dey brung mp ut de depot, n I sor one
train after anudder 90 out full o. sojers
inside and hangen on to de platfotn and
on de roofs"
elbow many trains did you see goouty
"'Bout forty hundred"
"Daniel," said Mark, smiling at the
figures, "you're smart as whip. But
you'll have to 90 right back to Chatta-
nooga, and take this note to the COM
manding officer with this letter from
your sick master to show him. The note
Il q request for q pass for the party to
the Union lines. Keep your wits about
you, and II he Is an easy going sort Of
man, you might try TO get him to put In
three servants instead Of two. At any
rate try to ring me in IL you can. Do
you understandy'
"Reckon do, sah."
"Can you ready'
"a leetle. Missile Laura learned me-"
"well, read the pass he may give you
and ask him to fix 1t 30 that 1t will In.
clude me rs servant. But you must use
your Judgment"
Daniel drove again to Chattanooga.
Mark waited anxiously for his return.
Indeed SO impatient was he that he
thought the negro had been gono twice
rs long as he had when he saw him drive
into the yard. He at once went out 10
the barn tn meet him.
"Any luckY' he asked anxiously.
IL got de- pass for misses and de res,
but didn't get what yo' wanted. Igot
paper hyar. Mebbe it'll do"
Mark took the paper. 1t was . pass
for Thomas Green and wife from Chat.
tanoogs to the Union lines.
"How did you get this" asked Mark.
surprised.
81 hab to wait while folks was getten
passes. De officer go out to de udder
room fur moment. Dis was layen on
10 desk n I TUX hit mp and brung hit
away"
"Well," said Mark, 'it's not exactly
what want. but ingenuity will have to
help me through. You're o trump.
Daniel"
In the morning when all was ready
for the departure two vehicles were
brought around to the door, the one, o
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 tomake
for Battle Greek. The distance was not
twent, miles, and he knew that they
could make It In q few hours. 1t was
bold game he was playing. hut the
proximity Of the halter was wearing on
bim, and he desired to get rid OF sus-
pense. Besides his presence, connected
with his critical situation, was wearing
ON Laura. He therefore felt an exhil-
srating pleasure when they drove out OF
the gate and trotted along the pike
westward. Hope cheered him.
All went well during the hrst ten or
twelve miles, when Mark received .
piece Of information which seriously In
terfered with his plan. Meeting .
courier riding toward Chattanooga,
who looked as II he might be the bearer
of some important news, Mark hailed
him and asked II 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 II this were trus
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 ~ far
a. Anderson. and then strike west with
view to reaching McMiunville on the
other side Of the mountain. Mra Fain
left al 70 Protector Rhstt, In whom shs
bad perfect eonhdsnes, ard - eognias