Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-26

deed he he'd wholesome dread of the
light re desired to be where
he couln with Laura
"lf / r... g you to excuse me, Ia
dies" he s4.,., Il will go out Tor little
fresh air."
He strolled out into the night and
walked back and forth on the veranda.
Laura" said Mrs. Fain, go out and
entertain Mr.. Rhett. I'm afraid of the
night air myself
"Do you think it essential, mammal"
Certainly do. South Carolinians are
especially particular about the enter
tainment of their guests, and wouldn't
| have it so back to Charleston that we
! had been rcmiss for the world"
Laura obeyed her mother and joined
| the guest on the veranda.
Mark lifted his hat respectfully to her.
The moon is rising" he remarked.
81 see the waxing light. If you will
come this way" going to the end of the
veranda, 'you can see it better"
Laura followed him to the position,
where they were out Of hearing
The relief from keeping Mark con-
cealed in the garnet, the success of the
imposition of the spurious South Caro-
Imam on her mother, Mark talent for
playing his part, all combined to place
Laura Fain in an eXhilarated frame of
mind. Like most women she admired
daring, and like most women appre-
ciated that daring Ill one i'll whom she
was interested i'll proportion TO the ex-
tent of the danger attending it.
"You are safe for tho present. she
said, her eyes gliBtening in the moon
light and bright spot on each cheek.
Thanks to your courage and ingenu-
ity."
"Oh, no; no! That's absurd! For you
to speak of my courage! Do YOU know
that the recklessness with which you
put your neck into halter is as unintel-
ligible to me as mathematics would be to
one of our servants"
For the cause" said Mark, "one
ought to-
Nonsense! The cause! You love
these dangers"
There is fascination in them, l ad-
nit. SO long as there is one chance for
Inc, no matter how many there are
against me-so long as l have an arm or
a weapon ia fight with | am man.
When cornered and taken | am the veri-
est coward in the world. While in prison
in Chattanooga l moaned and whined
like a frightened child. The truth is
that danger is fascinating only either be-
fore it is encountered or after it has
passed. When | am in it | want to get
out of it; when l am out of it want to
get in it again.
Il don't believe you know the mean
ing Of the word fear"
Indeed you are mistaken. If did
not feel fear there would be no fascina-
ton i'll danger"
Then you have way with you of
making people do what you like. When
you We're here before you fascinated all
TIE servants. You completely captivated
Uncle Daniel, who has talked of no one
else since"
Daniel is a good man. He'll be of
use to me yet"
"Ycs. of use to you. You use every
one either openly or by deception.
almost fancied you were professor
somebody, just now, when you We're de-
ceiving poor mamma. You reminded
Inc of Mephistopheles for ali the world.
You fatter," said Mark in irony.
"You are Mephistopheles. You come
here and compel me to harbor you. You
ere seeking to injure the cause | favor
and l give you my brothers clothes
when that brother is fighting for that
rause, Why do not send for some one
, TO come and take you:'
"On account Of your native lowell
hess
You are very devil"
Il never regarded myself saint"
"And the worst of it is" she went on
her eyes sparkling all the while, and
talking rapidly, that such deviltry is
especially fascinating to me. | would
, love to be IA man. | would do what YOU
DO. | would belong to the cavalry.
would be ID scout. ] would be a.
spy
Anything ! had the courage to be.
would delight in battles, in charges, in
, heavcns!'
E The exclamation was occasioned by 6
, horseman who had approached Will,
they We're talking. They had not no
tlced him till he had opened the gate ant
was half way between it and the house
Laura sank into a seat; all color left he
cheeks and her heart seemed to sto
beating.
Don't be frightened" said Mar
bending over her and whispering in he
ear. 1T is only private soldier. II
is not after me, and if he is he can
have me-"
Mark left her and advanced to the raj
of the veranda.
"Can you tell me how fyar It's tie
Chattenoogy?' asked the man.
about two miles, reckon, as tn
, crow flies; three or four really"
Straight long up the road?"
, Yes
, I'm courier | ben carryen di;
patches; but | didn't go this way"
well, you just keep the road an
you'll get through all right. Any new
2 from the 'front.'"
, "DOn't know any. ben away fro,