Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-10-19

81 -,
THERE WAS A wHIsTLINa OF BULLETS ny
HIS EARS.
night she began the race with vigor,
On sped the Union soldier followed
at few hundred yards distance by
the Confederate, and half Il mile be-
hind by several others of the picket
post Mark was within range, but his
pursuers did not care to draw rein in
order to fire. doubtless fearing that II
they should fail to bring him down by
the bullet he would escape
Madge did nobly, and had she not
been riding up mountain side for
three or four hours would have easily
distanced her pursuers AS 1t was, the
man who followed first was gaining
rapidly. Mark knew that he must
either dispose of this fellow or be
taken. Coming to a slight bend In the
road. he rode hundred yards beyond
to place where his pursuer must sud
denly appear around the trees. Rein.
ing in his horse, he faced about and
stood still with his carbine at an aim,
AS soon as the man appeared Mark
fired
The Confederate fell from his sad
die and his horse made of into the
Woo Is
A.ark turned and was soon again fly
inS forward He judged that he could
not be very far from the Union pick
cts between him and Altamont. Look
ing ahead he saw a horseman stand
ing in the road Whether he was I'm
ion or Confederate he did not know,
but there was no way to escape the
remainder of his pursuers except by
keeping right on and trusting to meet
ing friend AS he rode on he noticed
that the horseman wore a forage cap
This looked well. for the Confederates
nearly always wore hats Then he
could see that the mans body had n
dark hue. 1t must be blue At last
he came near enough to discern yell
low facings,
There was whistling of bullets by
his ears; he turned his head and saw
that his pursuers had halted They
had evidently seen the Union picket
ana hrcd n farewell voley at the fugi
tive.
Ir,vate Mark Malone was within the
Union lines; his mission was ended.
Mark was taken TO the onirer in
command at Altamont On the way
from the picket line he was informed
that the place was occupied by Nc.
Cooks division When he reached
headquarters he made himself and his
mis- on known. and in few minutes
n ctnher telegram was on its way to
General Thomas at McMinnville:
Bragg at Dunlap yesterday with no force
except few cavalry Cheatham and
Withers marching north The main army
gone by rail from Chattanooga on the
twenty-elghth to Knoxville,
PRIVATE MARK MALONE.
Ten minutes later the spy was sound
asleep on camp cot in tent belong
ing to one OF the staff
Mark had had no sleep for twenty
eight hours. and for much OF that time
be believed that he would be retaken
and hanged Now he slept II deep
sleep Hour after hour went by. and
though bugIes called and drums rat
tied he slnmbered on He dreamed
that he was at Chattanooga He was
standing on the scaffold Soldiers sur
rounded him. The moose was adjusted
about his neck. lie heard the sound of
the ak as ii cut the rope He awoke
with cry.
Laura Fain-no. Laura Maynard-his
wife-was standing beside him
She sank down by the cot. and In
moment they were In each others arms
Neither spoke. Neither wished 10 do
aught but leave tears-tears OF an ex-
quisite happiness-to flow on silently
For time Laura saw In Marks face
only a reflection Of her own happiness
He was feasting his eyes upon her.
passing his fingers through her dark
hair or smoothing II back with his
hand. while be covered her face with
kisses.
Suddenly a thought seemed TO come
between her and him.
What Is 1t. darling" she asked anx'
iousiy.
Il was thinking" Mark. But
10: ! will not think Of that"
Tell me
I was wondering-Laura. did you
love himT
Laura cas-, down her eyes