The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-05

rican Press Association.
 They have been packed away since my brother went to Virginia year ago. Mamma only saw you, when you were here before, after dark on the veranda, and-weIl, think there will be very good chance for you to play guest with out detection"
 "The servants?" ,
 ''They would never betray Yankee. They think you are all coming down to free them. and they'll have nothing to do but lie in the sum-"
 Not an unpleasant occupation on pleasant day." said Mark irrelevantly. Should anything happen, only fear mamma. And. after all, she is a wo- man," she added significantly. (Which you pretend not to be-"
 If all goes well you will be assigned room-the guest chamber perhaps and if it is not safe for you to be down stairs. you may feign to be ill and keep your apartment"
 Mark was better pleased with the plan than remaining where he was. He did not expect to remain in the house longer than till the next night, when he hoped those who were seeking for him would become tired of the hunt and give him a chance for his life.
 "I'll do all you suggest" he said to Laura, land 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. It came a few 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 onsup to the attic.
 Within a few seconds after her knock Mark was descending the stairs and in twinkling was in the parlor. Not half a minute elapsed between the signal and his arrival there.
 It 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 a servant to relight them. When she entered the parlor she was surprised to see her daughter in company with 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 a gentleman who-Mr."-
 "Rhett," supplied Mark. ?
 "Mr. Rhett. Of
 "South Carolina.'
 Any old Virginia or South Carolina name was quite enough to insure a welcome from Mrs. Fain. Without waiting to hear what he might say further or an account of how he came to be there so suddenly, she~said:
 "Pm pleased to see you. sir; are you related to the Rhetts, of South Caro- ina?''
 "We 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'-
 q 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 tion.
 "Indeedm she said calmly.
 "Yes, madam, I have been looking for ore. I 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 ob- jects, sir"
 T have been prospecting, madam. ing to the stupidity of the driver of the vehicle which contains my cruel bles and chemicals. I appeared at your door and your daughter was kind enough to ask me in-not surprising, considering your far famed Tennessee hospitality"
 "You are quite welcome, sir" Mark bowed low. with his hand ~on his heart, like South Carolina gen. tleman of the old school "Have you suppedY' asked Mrs. Fain. 'Yes, madam; succeeded in getting 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. I repeat it, we must take what we can get, madam" Marks eyes flashed with well feign- ed indignation.
 Tt is our duty to bear our depriva- tions cheerfully," "'said Mrs. Fain. I've shall gain our independence at last, and that should be an incentive"
 "It should, madam. and let me tell you we are about to see stirring times and great successes. This region has become of especial military importance