The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-05
4 FgFTETH AH4NTVE@ sAEsY WAR STORY
By F a MITCHELL.


and give him a chance for his isfe:
"I'n do all you suggest" he said to
Laura, "and whether you wish it or
not am very GRATEFUL
She lowered her eyes under his look
Of gratitude and then went below.
As soon as it grew dark Mark lis
tened for the signal 1t came a few
minutes before nine o'clock. Mrs. Fain
, had remained in the parlor up to that
moment, when she went up stairs to
get some article necessary to piece
Of work she was doing. Laura follow
ed her, turning out the lights by the
way and keeping on up to the attic.
Within a few seconds after her
knock Mark was descending the stairs
and in a twinkling was in the parlor.
Not half a minute elapsed between the
signal and his arrival there.
1t was not long before Mrs. Fain was
heard groping about up stairs in the
dark, wanting to know who had turned
out the lights and calling on servant
to relight them. When she entered the
| parlor she was surprised to see her
daughter in company with a stranger,
who was standing, hat in hand. as
though he had just come in from with
out.
Mamma" said Laura, with her
heart in her throat, but with the most
assured Of innocent tones, "this is q
gentleman who-Mr."-
"Rhett," supplied Mark.
'Mr. 'Rhett, Off,
''South Carolina"
| Any old Virginia or South Carolina
name was quite enough to insure a
welcome from Mrs. Fain. Without
| waiting to bear what be might say
further or an account Of how be came
to be there so suddenly. she said:
"I'm pleased to see you. sir; are you
related to the ithettS, Of South Caro-
| hna?"
I'VE all came Of the same main
stem. madam" said Mark. assuming
| the tone of southern gentleman.
Mr.. Rhett is travelling, mamma. he
says that-that'-
"I am looking for mines, madam.
You may not know it, but you are In
/ the center Of a rich mineral region"
It is pleasant to hear that fortune
may come soon, and Mrs. Fain was
evidently much pleased at the informa-
ton.
"IndeedI' she said calmly.
eyes, madam, have been looking
for ore. presume I need not say
whether in government interest or not;
we must have cannons, you know"
Government officers are not bound
to disclose their identity or their OBJ
jects, sir"
81 have been prospecting, madam.
and am separated from my party oW-
ing to the stupidity Of the driver Of
the vehicle which contains my cruel
bles and chemicals. appeared at
your door and your daughter was kind
enough to ask me in-not surprising,
considering your far famed Tennessee
hospitality"
'eYou are quite welcome, sir"
Mark bowed low. with his hand on
his heart, like a South Carolina gen.
tleman Of the old school
"Have you supped?' asked Mrs. Fain-
"Yes, madam; I succeeded in getting
a meal by the way. A poor one, indeed
a very poor one, with burned beans for
coffee. But since the abolition Lincoln
government has violated all rules OF
civilized warfare by this cruel blockade
intending to starve US into subjection
i suppose we must take what we can
get. l repeat it, we must take what
we can get, madam
Marks eyes flashed with well feign-
ed indignation.
1T is our duty to bear our depriva-
tons cheerfully," said Mrs. Fain. 1--WE
shall gain our independence at last.
and that should be an incentive."
''It should. madam. AID let me tell
you we are about to see stirring times
and great successes. This region has
become Of especial military importance.
Our forces will be in front Of Nash
vile, perhaps Louisville, very soon,
while General Lee can't fail with such
noble men as he has in his army-the
very flower Of the south-the flower
Of the south. nadam-he can't fail,
say, to drive the Yankees out Of Vir-
giniav'
"You are very hopeful"
While Mark was thus performing,
Laura stood with downcast eyes, and
if her mother had not been so inter
ested in the hopeful words of the gar
rulous South Carolinian she would
have noticed a slow heaving Of her
daughters bosom, with here and there
slight spasmodic action.
"And now, madam" said Mark. 'may
I beg for nights lodging? I fear 1t
is too late to find my party
Certainly, sir. Call Miranda. my
dear"
Miranda was summoned and directed