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

people L mean, not me.
"Trus' me fur dat" said the old man,
and going to the stable he began to har-
ness "a horse to the family wagon.
When Mark finished smoking he went
into the house. He passed into the IL
brary, where he found Laura. She
seemed to feel easNr than when Mark
had been up stairs, but she was in con-
tinual dread. Mark asked her to sit on
u sofa facing one window while he sat
facing another. "Then We'll have the
position entiladed," he said.
Laura did not understand what that
meant, but She did as he desired.
They sat thus without suffering the
watch to relax during three delightful
hours-delightful Notwithstanding the
danger Mark was in. Laura wanted an
account of his adventures in Chatta-
nooga and he gave it. When she came
to Souli's part in his escape Laura was
visibly affected; indeed so intensely
were her feelings wrought upon by this
portion of the story that she started at
every sound. realizing the more per-
fectly that Mark neck was still in jcop-
ardy.
Then came an account of the trial; the
march to the courtroom; the waiting
for the COUNSEL the arrival Of Captain
Cameron Fitz Hugh.
Captain Cameron Fitz Hugh!"
Then it was all ont that Lauras lover
had defended tho SPY, and Laura con-
fessed that she was Fitz Hugh's be-
trothed.
In the midst of the excitement attend
ing all this Mrs. Fain entered carrying g
silver tray, on which was a basket of
cake and decanter and glasses.
"A ,ittle luncheon may not be amss,
Mr.. Rhett," she said II don't know
your South Carolina customs in such
matters, but my daughter and [ occa-
sionally take biscuit at this hour
Mark rose and faced about. His hand
went to his heart aud he bowed low.
Laura, too, rose and stood looking at her
mother.
Madam" said Mark, "can ever for
get this ilindnass:'
IF you will discover the ore you seek
on our property l shall feel amply re-
paid" said the lady sententiously.
Trust me, madam, l will have dill
gent search made"
are you a 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, APP
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 Il fascinating study" re-
marked Mrs. Fain, who was great
reader and a very intelligent woman.
Now Mark, though an educated man
and born to taste for the sciences, I'M
fortunately knew less about the profess
sion he had temporarily adopted than
any other.
There are some curious geological
facts" Mrs. Fam went on, which al
ways interest me. l was reading yester-
day that Il 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. -
1T could not have been less than five
hundred years, madam. said Mark, lay
ing great stress on the figures as some
thing enormous.
/ Five hundred? I thought it was
| something like twenty thousand!'
/ Mark perceived that he had made d
gross blunder, but it would never do foI
him to acknowledge it.
| II am aware" lie said. chat sucn is
the opinion of a certain school of geClo
/ gists with more assurance than brains
] refer to those scotlers who are conti..
uously trying to find evidence against
! the Mosaic account of creation, but le
| gard their position untenable."
There was a pleased look on Mrs. Fain':
countenance She belonged to the Bay
fist denomination, and believed thor
oughly that the world was made in SIX
days of twentyfour hours each.
professor. she said, withdrawing
from the room at the same time, Il truss
that YOU Will remain III the neighbor
hood long while, and beg You to homo,
us by making this house your home ii
the meantime"
Mark was standing with half filled
glass of wine in his left hand. while hi
right was on. his heart. Mrs. Fain made
her exit through the door by which sn
had come, opening into the dining room
AS the door closed Mark was bending t,
the floor, admirably representing Soutl
Carolina gentleman of the olden time.
He heard something like a low cry
half surprised, half terror-from Laura
Turning quickly toward her he SAW he
eyes fixed in a stare on some object d
the door opening into the hall. Anothe
turn of his head and there stood the fig
ure of Captain Cameron Fitz Hugh.
Twice before had Mark seen that face
once when Eitz Hugh had approached
the Fain house the morning Mark ha,
left it for Chattanooga, and once whel
the young Confederate had defende
him at the trial
No sooner had Captain Fitz Hugh Ian
eyes on Marks face than he recognize
the spy he had defended at Chattanooga