The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-12
CHAPTER X.
A PROMISE SOON BROKEN.


making frequent visits to his wife and
without warning. Laura understood
perfectly the embarrassing position in
which he would be placed at surprising
q Confederate spy under the same roof
with herself and protected by her. She
had no mind to place him in any such
position. When Miss Baggs went up
stairs. Laura posted sentry in the per-
son of Uncle Daniel to keep sharp
lookout and give notice Of the colonel's
approach in order that Miss Baggs might
be got out of tho way before his asS4val.
Daniel sat down on bench on the ve-
randa and lit his pipe. He was an old
man and prone to dose. 1t was not long
before Lookout mountain across the
river began to sway among the clouds,
the nearer trees began to rock, the old
negro's head fell upon his breast, and
he slept. ~
1t was nearly 10 o'clock when Laura,
having given up the coming Of her hus-
band that night and for once in her life
rejoicing thereat, was about to dismiss
Daniel from his responsible position
when she heard step on the veranda
Thinking it was Daniel walking back
and forth to keep himself awake, she
paid no attention to it. There was
turning Of the knob to the front door,
and in another moment Colonel May
nard stood on the threshold of the sit
ting room looking in upon Mrs. Fain,
Laura. Souri, and Miss Baggs He was
about to enter when, observing strange
person, he hesitated. Laura advanced,
and taking him by the hand led him to
another room. He had only once before
seen Miss Baggs and then in disguise
and did nos recognize her.
why, sweetheart" he said to his
wife. you're trembling"
lyon came in SO hurriedly."
II am hurried. We cross the river
tomorrow morning"
Tomorrow morningl Oh, Mark, why
couldn't they wait few days?"
IF wives and sweethearts had the
giving Of orders, Uncle Sam would
have his armies always in winter quar-
ters."
"why couldn't this happiness have
lasted just little longer?'
And then still little longer. Come
have but short time to stay. Let me
say goodby to the baby"
Laura led the way up stairs and drew
the curtains from the cradle, exposing
the sleeping infant.
There was something in the inno-
cence the absence of force in the little
slumberer. so different from the scenes
in which he was wont to mingle, to set
in motion train of feelings in Mark
Maynard to which he had thus far been
o stranger. On the one side was the
wife he loved and the sleeping child;
on the other, what now appeared toll
some marches, nights spent on wet
ground, sickness, mangling by shell and
bullets and saber cuts. A year before he
had loved these hardships, these dan
gers. Now new element had entered
into his life. and at least while he gaz-
ed on the little stranger (the only life
that had come TO him among the many
gone since the war began) no felt q
strange repugnance' to entering upon
the coming campaign.
my boy, my boy" he said huskily,
the thought suddenly coming to him
that he might never see wife or child
again, 'how can l now risk leaving you
to struggle on to manhood unprotect
ed9" Then, recognizing his weakness,
he said. with quick born smile, "But
you have your mother. and must win
the star Of brigadier for you to play
with"
But wars quick and imperative de.
mands gave him little time for the in.
diligence of such feelings. He tried TO
turn away. Again and again he drew
the curtains of the cradle. only to draw
them back for one more look
Laura" he said suddenly. "all is
changed Before you and he came did
my duty as a soldier because 10 was not
hard TO do and because IL pleased me.
Now 10 will be hard, andsI shall do IL
that you aud he may not be disgraced
A. ma How ran I ever laava a hlot on,