Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-10-05


acter when that officer had defended
him at Chattanooga. He now resolved
to take advantage Of that knowledge.
Captain" he said, "notwithstand-
ing the position in which you saw me
a few days ago, Notwithstanding the
painful situation in which you see me
now, you have on both occasions done
me the honor to consider me gentle
man. | assume to Il perception In this
respect not less keen than yours. In
deed so sure am of the delicacy, the
refinement of your instincts, that |
feel perfectly safe under this roof"
How so?" asked Fitz Hugh, sur
prised.
81 am the guest of that young lady.
Mark stood with his arm outstretch
ed, his finger pointing to Laura Fain.
Laura gave Il glance at Mark as he
spoke, which caught the eye of Cap
tain Fitz Hugh. 1t contained admira-
ton, devotion. Fitz Hugh gazed from
one to the other without a word.
81 need not explain further, cap
tain" Mark added. "A gentleman can
not mistake my position; only gen
tleman can understand it,"
"You mean, sir" said Fitz Hugh,
that | cannot honorably enter this
house and profit or cause my country
to profit by what | find here without
the consent of the inmates
Il do"
'Mrs. Fain is the acknowledged head
Of this house, and she is evidently de
ceiyed. But | concede to Miss Fain
the right to speak for her. l acknowl-
edge Miss Fain's right to hold me to
this secret, If any one has such
right. But when Miss Fain shall have
been fully advised of all the facts
Pardon me; she knows all you
know"
Then when Miss EG!n shNll have
duly considered the interests Of her
country ! am quite sure she will give
her consent"
The attention of both men became
fixed upon Laura, for 1t was evident
that she would be called upon to make
decision between her country and
her lover on the one hand and the de-
fenseless Union spy on the other. Lau-
ra knew the sterling worth, the high
sense of honor and duty of her lover.
She knew that if she held him to Sc
crecy he would consider it evidence
that she permitted her interest in the
spy to overwhelm her sense of duty.
And would he not attribute her prOteC-
ton to something more tender than an
ordinary interest? F'itZ Hugh realized
her position; indeed there seemed to
flash into both of them the feeling that
her decision would lie between two men
her lover and the Federal spy. With
Mark it was a question Of life or death
Miss Fain-Laura,' said Fitz Hugh,
speaking slowly and impressively, Il
ask your permission to give up this i'm
postor-pardOn me, sir, for the plain
ness Of my language; it is essential
this spy, who desires to carry infOrma-
ton north TO the detriment OF our
country; who seeks the defeat of our
cause.-the cause in which your broth
er IS every day risking his life; lastly
though this may be a matter Of
small importance-the cause for which
], your lover. would lay down my life
as l would lay 1t down for you. 1t
seems to me that it is a question be
tween your duty and your inclination
Does ii seem so to your
1T does
Then tell me, may / send for a
guard to take him."
Laura's eyes shOne like those Of a
tigress at bay. IL firm. clear voice
she said:
mo"
For a few moments there was the
stiffness OF death.
"She has decided In your favor sir"
said Fitz Hugh. whose color left his
cheek when Laura spoke the little
word that decided his and Marks fate
"You have nothing to fear from NE"
Then turning to Laura:
~ can understand the motive, the
temptation. The act remains"
You may consider yourself released
from all ties with one whose act you