The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-15
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and would doubtless have let them go
had he not noticed Laura's agitation
ssYou'n have to go back to headquar-
, ters and get Major Taliaferro's order
on that. He commands at 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 we're
only half a mile down the road and
he would lose but little time. He
made a virtue Of necessity AID drove
back with apparent good nature.
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 be compelled
to wait He drove to the picket and
used his tongue persuasively. but to
no purpose The more anxious be
seemed the more resolved grew the
captain.
There seemed to be nothing to do but
return and await the arrival Of the
commanding officer. Mark reluctantly
turned the horses head and drove back
to headquarters. Laura's heart sank
within her.
1t was sunaet when Major Taliaferro.
q pleasant looking man Of twenty-seV-
en- or twelty-eight. rode up 10 the
door and eutered the office.
Major Taliafprro?" asked Mark.
cat your service. sir
Major. have been detained by the
officer at the picket. who wants your
name on my pass NJ wife's mother
has gone on. aud her daughter is very
anxious to join her. 1t is extremely
unfortunate for US to get 50 far sep
arated from Mrs. Fain."
''Fain. of the Fains Of Chattanooga"
1.-THE same"
IT have heard of the family. h.:t have
never had the pleasure Of meeting any
member }of it. One Of my friends is
engaged to Miss Fain. have just
parted from aim at Dunlap"
Mark and Laura cast quick glance
at each other-a glance Of terror on the
part of Laura.
eve are fortunate in falling into your
hands," said Mark. land l beg you
will not delay us a moment" And
Mark handed him the pass.
Certainly not" And the major took
up a pen to write his Endorsement.
First he read the pass carefully. He
was thinking Of what his friend Fi1
Hugh had told him Of the Fains- he
was under the impression that there
was but one daughter.
"Mr. Green" he said. looking up
from the pass. hadn't you better stay
here over night? The road is noun
famous and infested by guerrillas. 1t
is positively dangerous to travel"
"By no means. What would Mrs.
Fain think Of our not joining her on
the road?"
1T is dangerous for her as well as
you. III send messenger after her
and advise her stopping at some farm
house. I'll do better than that. III
send a corporal and half dozen men
to insure her safety till morning"
There was something in the mans
tone. polite as it was. that indicated to
Mark that he. was held for further in
formation
"'As you please, major"
"And / shall insist upon your accept
ing my hospitality. One connected In
any way with my friend Fitz Hugh
must not want for any comfort I can
supply"
The house occupied by Major Talia.
ferro belonged to a family who had
gladly given up a portion Of it for the
safety insured by the presence Of
commanding officer. The major was
given a room down stairs for an Of
fee, and a bedroom up stairs. When
it was decided that Mark and Laura
should remain he gave Mrs. Green. as
he called her. the use of the latter for
the purpose of arranging her toilet
before supper.
When Laura was up stairs Mark was
looking out of the window Of the ma
ior's office. Ee saw the men ride off
to overtake Mrs. Fain. To his con-
stern nation another ca7alryman. with a
letter in his belt, mounted his horse
and dashed down the road.
Laura came down at that moment,
and Mark said to her anxiously:
II am detained on suspicion. shall
be taken back to Chattanooga" and
he pointed to the courier.
The color left Laura's cheeks. They
had got so near to safety, and now.
after so many dangers. the end was at
hand. She could scarcely sustain her,
self as she tottered into the room oc-
cupied as the Office.
This is the letter the courier bore
northward. 1t was addressed on the
envelope to Captain Cameron F1tz
Hugh, near Dunlap:
Anderson, Aug. %. 1862
Ny Dear Cameron-A man purportlng TO