Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-01-19

hood a long while. AMI reg yOu 10 hon0r
us by making this house yonr home in
the meantime"
Mark was standing with half filed
glass Of wine in his left hand. while his
right was on ms heart. Mrs. Fain mads
her exit through the door by which she
had come opening intot the dining room.
AS the door closed Mark was bending to
the floor. admirably representing South
Carolina gentleman Of the olden time.
He heard something like low cry
/ half surprised, half terror-frorn Laura.
Turning quickly toward her he saw her
eyes fixed in a stare on some object 1T
the door opening into the hall. Another
= turn of his head and there stood the fig
ure of Captain Cameron Fitz Hugh.
Twice before had Mark seen that face.
once when Fitz Hugh had approached
the Fain house the morning Mark had
left it for Chattanooga. and once when
the young Confederate had defended
him at the trial.
No sooner had Captain Fitz Hugh laid
eyes on Marks face than he recognized
the spy he had defended at Chattanooga.
professor" ne said coolly, you are
very adroit.'
Mark turned scarlet, and then ashy
pale. For moment it seemed that his
legs would not support him. 1t required
time for him 70 collect himself to mako
any reply whatever.
.Since you are 50 good at extricating
yourself from difficulties, you have
fine opportunity 70 show your skill now"
Fitz Hugh spoke with his hand on the
handle Of his pistol. May ] trouble
you 10 throw mp your hands, professor
1T Is not necessary" said Mark. Il
am unlrmed.
A picture If his certain fate flashed
across his mind. and he wished Fits
Hugh would shoot him.
ION your word Of honor?
Why do you ask such question?
You know that | am an arch deceiver'
AT ans rate, you are gentleman.
Never mind throwing mp your hands"
Meanwhile Mark had been giving his
heart lime to cease humping, and had
gathered Bis wits
Laura remained silent. staring at them
both rs though she had lost her reason.
Had She a hundred things to say her
tongue could not have been made TO
utter one.
Mark turned toward Fitz Hugh and
looked him square IN the face. He had
conceived an idea; a forlorn hope, it is
true, still hope. Quick TO discern peo-
sight into Fitz Hugh's character when
that officer had defended him at Chatta-
nooga. He now resakFed to take advan-
tage of that knowledge
Captain, he said, Notwithstanding
the position in which you saw me few
days ago. Notwithstanding the painful
situation in which you see Inc now. you
have on both occasions done me the
honor to consider me a gentleman.
assume 10 "A perception in this respect
not less keen than yours. Indeed SO
sure am Of the delicacy, the refinement
of your instincts. that | feel perfectly
safe under this roof
"Iow sog' asked Fitz Hugh. surprised
Il am the guest Of that young lady"
Mark stood with his arm outstretched
his finger pointing to Laura Fain. Laura
gave a glance at Mark as he spoke, which
caught the eve OF Captain Fitz Hugh.
1t contained admiration, devotion. Fitz
Hugh gazed from one to the other with
ont a word
II need not explain further, captain"
Mark added. "A gentleman cannot mis-
take my position: only gentleman can
understand il.
..You mean, sir" said Fitz Hugh.
"that | cannot honorably enter this
house and profit or cause my country TO
profit by what finds here without tbs
consent of the inmates"
Il do"
Mrs. Fam Is the acknowledged head
of this house, and She is evidently de-
ceived. But / concede to Miss Fain the
right to speak for her. | acknowledge
Miss FANS right to hold me to this
secret, if any one has such right. But
when Miss Fain shall have been fully
advised of all the facts
Pardon me; she knows all you
know"
Then when Miss Fam shall have
duly considered the interests of her
country am quite sure she viii give
her consent"
The attention of both men became
fixed upon Laura, for it was evident
that she would be called upon to make
a decision between her country and her
lover on the one hand and the defense
less Union spy ON the other. She was
standing near the sofa on which she
had been sitting, steadying herself by
resting her hand ON the back of a chair.
1t was moment OF intensest feeling to
all three. Laura knew the sterling
worth, the high sense of honor and
duty Of her lover. She knew that il she
held him to secrecy he would considerit
evidence that she permitted her interest
IN the spy to overwhelm her sense of
iuty. And would he not attribute her
to something more tender