Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-02-01

lAOVhCas
In the midst of the excitement attend
ing all this Mrs. Fain entered carrying a
silver tray, on which was basket of
cake and decanter and glasses.
"a little luncheon may not be amiss,
Mr.. Rhett," she said. II don't know
your South Carolina customs in such
matters, but my daughter and I occa-
sionally take biscuit at this hour"
Mark rose and faced about. His hand
went to his heart and he bowed low.
Laura, too, rose and stood looking at her
mother.
Madam" said Mark, "can ever for
get this kindness:"
"If you will discover the ore you seek
on our property shall feel amply re-
paid" said the lady sentertiously.
"Trust me, madam, will have dill
gent search made"
care you geologist?"
"None but geologist would be hunt
ing for ore in the government service"
Mark stood with the stem of wine
glass between his thumb and finger, ap-
propriating to himself such impresse-
ment as would naturally fill the breast
of South Carolina geologist hunting
for iron with which to make cannons for
the government.
"That is fascinating study" re-
marked Mrs. Fain, who was a great
reader and a very intelligent woman.
Now Mark, though an educated man
and born to taste Aor the sciences, un-
fortunately knew less about the profess
sion he had temporarily adopted than
any other.
"There are some curious geological
facts" Mrs. Fain went on, (which al
ways interest me. I was reading yester-
day that famous geologist has said that
centuries-I have forgotten how many
were consumed while Niagara falls
were wearing their way from Lewiston
to the present site. How long was it,
professor? I'm sure you have that title"
ut could not have been less than five
hundred years, madam" said Mark, lay
ing great stress on the figures as some
thing enormous.
Give hundred2 I thought it was
something like twenty thousand!'
Mark perceived that he had made
gross blunder, but it would never do for
him to acknowledge it.
"I am aware" he said, "that such is
the opinion of certain school of geolo-
gists with more assurance than brains.
I refer to those scoffers who are contin-
uously trying to find evidence against
the Mosaic account of creation, but I re-
gard their position untenable."
There was pleased look or Mrs. Fain's
countenance. She belonged to the Bap-
tist denomination, and believed thor
oughly that the world was made in six
days Of twenty-four hours each.
professor" she said, withdrawing
from the room at the sare time, 81 trust
that you will remain in the neighbor-
hood a long while, and I beg you to honor
US by making this house your home in
the meantime"
Mark was standing with half filled
glass of wine in his left hand, while his
right was on his heart. Mrs. Fain made
her exit through the door by which she
had come, opening into 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-from Laura.
Turning quickly toward her he saw her
eyes fixed in stare on some object at
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" he 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 to collect himself to make
any reply whatever.
"Since you are so good at extricatlng
yourself from difficulties, you have a
fine opportunity to show your skill now"
Fitz Hugh spoke with his hand on the
handle of his pistol. MAY l trouble
you to throw up your hands, professor"
"It is not necessary" said Mark. 81
am unarmed."
A picture of his certain fate flashed
across his mind, and he wished Fitz
Hugh would shoot him.
"On your word of honor?'
"Why do you ask such a question?
You know that am an arch deceiver."
cat any rate, you are a gentleman.
Never mind throwing up your hands"
Meanwhile Mark had been giving his
heart time to cease humping, and had
gathered his wits.
Laura remained silent, staring at them
both as though she had lost her reason.
Lad 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; forlorn hope, it is
true, still hope. Quick to discern peo-
pies peculiarities, he had gotten an in
sight into Fitz Hugh's character when
that officer had defended him ut Chatta-
nooga. He now resolved 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 sec me now, you
have on both occasions done ME the
honor to consider me gentleman. l
assume to q perception in this respect
not less keen than yours. Indeed so
sure am I of the delicacy, the refinement
of your instincts, that 1 feel perfectly
safe under this roof"
"How so?" asked Fitz Hugh, surprised.
81 am the guest of that young lady"
Mark stood with his arm outstretched,
his finger pointing to Laura Fain. Laura
gave glance at Mark as he spoke, which
caught the eye of Captain Fitz Hugh.
1t contained admiration, devotion. Fitz
Hugh gazed from one to the other with
out word.
81 need not explain further, captain"
Mark added. ga gentleman cannot mis-
take my position; only gentleman can
understand it."
"You mean, sir" said Fitz Hugh,
"that I cannot honorably enter this
house and profit or cause my country to
profit by what 1 find here without the