The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-03-05

n
SOME DOZEN YARDS AWAY FROM THE HUT
A SHADOW LURKED.
"Listen" the man answered, in
hoarse whisper. 'Think what you
/ will, but, for Gods sake, hear me. I
have just left the general, He is
angered, vengeful. He knows all-your
real name, your attachment to Stuart,
your mission to the river"
"And you told him." The scorn in her
voice was infinite. "Youi"
81 come to save you," he answered,
rapidly, the great effort to be calm only
betrayed by heaving chest, and nails
that dug into his clinched hands. "vil-
ify, despise me as you must in thought,
but waste no time in words. You re-
member that night? Women like you
forget no more than men like me.
Then I swore to serve you to the death.
Stop know what you would say; the
gulf between us-the shame-the hor-
ror! Oh God! Carolyn, do not stop for
that! You life-your honor-my WORTH
less life not counted-all rest on one
single instant now! Come; you areI
freer'
Something in the strong, low-spolzenl
words, a will hers could not combat,
forced the girl to listen, even while She
shuddered and shook her head. Then,
as the man eagerly, pleadingly, held out
his hand, she drew back, her old self
once more.
keep backw she cried, with flashing
eyes. you are lying to me!-lying for
your revenge! He who could betray his
country would not scruple to betray q
helpless woman"
A shadow of agony unspeakable
swept the mans face, and his lips
opened as If to speak. But a mighty
effort closed them again; and he am
swered only with pleading gesture to
the door.
"Leave mel" the woman said low but
imperiously. "Gol or call the guard!''
"Bitter, hard as you are" the man
answered, calmly, but with laboring
breast, "your pride will ruin all. Miss
Clay, by every memory of the past-by
the grave of my dead mother-I swear /
speak the truth. In the copse yonder
stands my horse. The sentry is--power-
less. An hours ride brings you to
roads you know; sunrise sees you safe
with confederate cavalry. BY my soul,
swear speak only truth"
"And did trust you"
eyes, know" he interrupted, eager
ly, almost happily. "If you do, it is
not that you hate-despise me less but
that you must use such vile means for
the causel VIZ you Gomez"
Again he extended his hand, entreat-
ing. Again the woman drew back
with shudder.
''Oh, Godl Dare I trust this MANI"
burst from her lips in half sob,
you cant he whispered, eagerly.
"You can trust me as you could Evan,
for your own salse-for your cause-for
little Fairfax"
you lSnow?" She stared at him.
eyes, / know" He hesitated an in
slant. adding, almost fercely: ut is the
spy's business-the trattor'8-to know
all. Poor little Fairfaxl"- his
voice softened to infinite tenderness
''he will die-you will murder him-un-
less you use these means to save. An
hours ride, and you are free, safe
among friends"
With something like sob he finished,
raising his hand to push the damp hair
back from his forehead. The embers
fickered into blaze again, throwing
full light upon his face, and the woman,
-hesitant till then-again drew back.
: shuddering.
IAN oneny' she cried. 'I'hat scar
} Gains brand upon your forchead-warns
me not to trust the traitor!"
He stared at her wondering.
, "Ilypocrite!" she answered to Che
look, II too know all-the swift con
} fedcrate brand upon you-Capt. Charl-
) toms bullet marked"
/ "Charltonl"
, A great amaze made his face blank
, one instant. Then the name passed his
8 lips, low, vcngcfcl as curse. His
} breast rose and fell, as he dashed his
' hat to his head, striding one step to-
, wards her.
= obstinate, rclentlessv' he said, rap
: idly, in hollow voice. "Win You prove
l selfish as well? Carolyn Clay, have
L said what man dare say. Did say one
5 word rnorc,-did c0n0ince you,-then ]
should dcspiso myself as you despise mel
9 ] have solemnly sworn to save you, at
. risk of--of all that is left to me, at
e risk of losing what girl like you could
i never dream! A moment more, The
: relief comes, and al is lost; for swear ]
aciR not leave this hut alone! No; do not
r answer: there is no time. If your own
Y honor is rislled, = if your mothers
e heart is brollen,-if little Fairfax dies
for want of remedies his prideful sister
might have won him,--then call God
to witness that the sin is on youl
headI'
The woman's bosom rose and fell
words rushing to her lips oied upon
them; she heard her own heart beating
{ thunderous in her throat.
'Comel For the sake Of all dear
u you,-cause, mother, brother.-conF
the man pleaded. "Vile, despicabN
/ am in your eyes, let me atone
by saving you-and Fairfax. y
o The sob SO close TO Caro-
l. lips burst through them.
o CLEANED in the deep eyes
$ Virginian; and again-y
piteous in its meellness
hand.