Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-11
CHAPTER XIX.
oRrRN AND WIFE

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DO you take me to be your husbandr'
Mark designed driving to Anderson,
some twelve miles from the Stacks
house, whence he knew there was road
leading up In the mountains through
place called Altamont. some twenty
miles farther, to McMinnville. He wa
informed by people he met on the road
that Altamont had been recently occu.
pied in force by the Union troops. With
luck they might reach the Union lines,
which would doubtless extend several
miles from Altamo1., that afternoon.
"Within six hours" said Mark, 81
shall either DO safe among Union SOL
diers or on my way back to Chatta'
nooga."
Laura shuddered. but said nothing.
Mark found q very different condition
OF affairs at Anderson from what he had
found along the road. The Confeder.
ates had some cavalry force there and
more at Dunlap, Ave miles north. On
the road he heard that General Bragg
was at Dunlap. but with no troops save
cavalry.
III see 1t ALL" said the spy to himself.
"The willy fox Is confronting our forces
with handful Of cavalry, while the
two divisions Of Cheatham and Withers
are marching north behind him, and the
main force has gone to Knoxville by
rail ON line still farther east. No
wonder our generals are puzzled and
watching line from Battle creek to
Cumberland gap. II the Lord will only
let Inc get through to carry this infor.
nation, I'll never ask to live to go on
another such expedition"
The party were stopped near Ander.
son by picket. Mrs. Fain produced
her pass and stated that the two behind
were In her company. The officer took
no especial care In reading 1t, and when
Mark and Laura came mp they got safely
through without question.
Mark was now anxious about the
picket which must be passed in q few
minutes on the road leading west from,
Anderson. Mrs. Fain was still ahead.
and he hoped that all would 20 as well
as at the picket just passed. Not .
word was spoken between him and
Laura: both DIRE. yettin: ~ or An
derson, but once De- u the next picket they
would breathe easier.
When they reached 1t Mrs. Fain had
been passed through and gone on. The
officer In command, however, had read
the pass carefully. He had not noticed
any mention of Mark In II.
"where's your passy' he asked.
"Didnt the lady ahead show It ID
your asked Mark.
"Her pass didn't include you."
didn't ity' Mark feigned surprise.
"No."
"Oh, | forgot; mine and my wife's Il
separate" and he drew out the pass OF
"Thomas Green and wife,"
Meanwhile Laura had turned white a
q cloth. The office read the pass, and
would doubtless have let them 60 had
he not noticed Laura's agitation.
You'll have to 20 back to headquar'
tiers and get Major Taliaferro's order on
that. He commands ut 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 mile down the road aud 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 Us 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 he would not DO compelled to wait.
He drove to the picket and used his
tongue persuasively, but to no purpose
The more anxious he seemed the more
resolved grew the captain.
There seemed to be nothing to do but
return and await the arrival Of the com.
manding officer. Mark reluctantly
turned the horses head and drove back
to headquarters. Lauras heart sank
within her.
Il was sunset when Major Taliaferro,
q pleasant looking man Of twenty-seveu
or twenty-eight, rode up 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. It Is extremely un'
fortunate for us to get 90 far separated
from Mrs. Fain."
"Fain, Of the Fains Of Chattanooga"
"The same"
II have heard Of the family, but have
never had the pleasure Of meeting any
member Of 1t. One Of my friends IL en-.
gagged to Miss Fain. Ihave just parted
from him at Dunlap"
Mark and Laura cast quick glance
ut 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 VIII
not delay us q moment" And MARX
handed him the pass.
"Certainly not" Aud the major tool
up pen TO write his indorsement. First
he read tine pass carefully. He wa
thinking Of what his friend Fitx Hugh
had told him Of the Fains. He wa
under the impression that there was bu'
one daughter.
"Mr. Green" he said. looking upfrom
the pass, "hadnt you better stay here
over nights The road II mountainous
and infested by gurerillas. II II positve'
ly dangerous to travel"
"By no means. What would Mrs'
Fain think of ar not joining her on the
roadY
"It is dangerous for her - well - you
I'll send messenger after her and 3D.
wise her stopping at some farmhouse
I'll do better than that. I'll send . cor
poral and half Q dozen men to insure
her safety till morning"
|. There was something In the mani
tone, polite - Il was. that indicated te
Marx that hs was held for further In
formation.
Gas you please. major"
"Aaa Ishsll iasiss upon sOur aeesps