Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-06-20

ABOUT MIN. 1here were uOrmer wlnu0ws
which let In the moonlight 30 that he
could distinctly see everything In the
room. Some trunks We're piled In one
corner, and In another some furniture.
Among the latter he noticed lounge
with threadbare upholstery, and taking
Il In his arms, carried 1t, treading softly,
to one Of the windows at the front vi
the house. The room was very hot, and
he raised the sash, moving II with great
care. 50 as not to make any sound. Then
he sat down ON the lounge, and looking
out Of the window began to mediate
OH his situation.
While thus engaged he heard q light
tap at the trap door. Opening 1t he
saw q bundle extended by the fair hand
of his preserver. He took 1t. and letting
down the trap-Miss Fain did not utter
word-he unrolled 1t. There were
complete suits Of under and outer gar
ments, the property of Miss Fains
brother.
The getting of Of his damp garments
and donning snow white linen was q
grateful sensation to Mark. Having pu,
on what he needed for the night he laid
himself down ON the lounge. From his
window he could see the Tennessee roll
ing In the moonlight half mile away.
He thought how much more comfortable
he was in his dry clothes than he had
been floating In the water. Then lie
heard the bark Of hounds. They were
on the waters edge, and he knew by the
sounds that they were endeavoring to
pick up the scent Of his tracks.
"Bark on" he said. "When ! leave
this I'll take with me something to die
with. Ill not be taken alive, and IL
meet you some Of you shall roll over"
Then there came an inexpressiblt
gratitude. He felt thankful to Souri,
thankful to Jakey. thankful to Laura
Fain. thankful to his God. There was
something especially engaging in Miss
Fain's efforts ON his behalf, inasinuch
ms she regarded him an enemy to hei
country. He thought Of Souri, in prison
waiting for old Triggs to discover hei
deception. What would they do to her
And Jakeyl Would they injure mere
boy2 He vowed that II he should escape
and outliye the war he would find on,
Just what had happened, and II either
had been harshly treated he would have
his revenge.
Musing he fell asleep, but he soor
awoke. 1t was past midnight-the day
Of his execution. He shuddered.
He tried to 10 to sleep again, but the
dreadful fate which would have been
his had not Souri, saved him, and ON the
very last evening before his intended
execution, got into his head, and he
could not drive 1t out. And now, were
not men and hounds hunting him foi
miles around. to drag him back to Chat
tanooga to that dreadful jailyard. the
scaffold, the rope, the black cap!
And Laura Fain, suppose she should
weaken; suppose she should, after all
consider 1t her duty to give him mp
suppose demand should he made tc
search the house; suppose-a thousand
suggestions chased each other through
his excited brain.
He lay tossing till just before dawn
when he again fell into u troubled slum
Der.
He was awakened by squadron OF
cavalry passing along the road. The
sun had not yet risen, but 1t was light
He could look right down on them
though they could not see him. They
trotted along slowly, all looking worn
and sleepy. They were evidently the
men who had passed the night before
and were going back from an unsuccess
full hunt. Mark noticed the different
positions many Of them took In order tc
rest In their saddles. The sight tool
him back to his own troop, and he longed
to he In the stirrups again with them.
There is no time like u wakeful night
to magnify distress, and nothing like an
unclouded rising sun to drive 1t away
Mark looked out on the stretch OF coun
try to be seen from his window-tht
Tennessee and the mountains beyond
their tops tinged with yellow Highland
was as unreasonablS hopeful rs he had
been despondent. His pleasurable sen
sations suddenly received new check
An officer of the cavalry that had passed
followed by two men, came riding back
Maybe they were coming to the house
They stopped ut the gate. Ono OF the
men rode forward, dismounted and
opened II. The officer entered and rode
up to the front door.
Marks heart seemed to stop beating.
He could not see what was going or
below 30 close under his window, bui
presently heard the officer talking te
some one ON the veranda.
"a Federal spy escaped last might
from Chattanooga, madam. He was II
the disguise Of q negro girl" There wa
something more which was unintelli
gible.
Then Mark heard the word "no'
spoken In o voice which he thought wa
Mrs. Fain's.
"Hs was tracked to the river, which
he must have crossed. He probably
landed . mile or two below Chattanooga
and we believe he Il hiding somewher'
within o few miles Of this place."
"You are welcome to- Mark could
not hear to what the officer was welcome
but he surmised II was to search th,
house.
"what time did you 60 to bedr
The reply was inaudible.
"You saw nothing till thenr
"No, SIR"
"And everything was shut up ss ten
o'clock"
Eyes, dr."
"You are good Confsderates, rreckon.
eyes, sir; my SON. Mark could no'
hear the rest, except the word "srmy."
swell. with you permission. madam
we'll search The rest was lost In
deed Mark was too terror stricken h
listsn with due care. He supposed tht
house would be ransacked.
In Q moment bis terror was turned
10 delicious sense Of relief. The omcer
altar calling TO The msu At the gates rod
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