The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-02
(Continued.) CHAPTER x.

CHATTER X.
 MARKS KEEPER.
 XARK stood for a moment look WI ing about him. There were
 dormer windows, which let 4 \ in the moonlight so that he could distinctly see everything in the room. Some trunks were piled in one corner, and in another some furniture. Among the latter he noticed a lounge with threadbare upholstery, and taking it in his arms, carried it, treading softly, to one of the windows at the front of the house. The room was very hot, and he raised the sash. mov- ing it with great care, so as not to make any sound. Then he sat down on the lounge, and looking out of the window began to mediate on his sit uation.
 While thus engaged he heard light tap at the trap door. Opening it he saw a bundle extended by the fair hand of his preserver. He took it, and letting down the trap-Miss Fain did not utter a word-he unrolled 1t There were complete suits of under and outer garments. the property of Miss Pains 
 brother.
 The getting off of his damp garments and donning snow white linen was a grateful sensation to Mark. Having put on what he needed for the night he laid himself down on the lounge. From his window he could see the Tennessee rolling in the moonlight half a mile away. He thought how much more comfortable he was in his dry clothes than he had been floating in the water. Then he heard the bark of hounds. They were on the waters edge, and he knew by the sounds that they were endeavoring to pick up the scent of his tracks.
 Bark on,'' he said. "When I leave this I'll take with me something to die with. I'll not be taken alive, and if meet you some of you shall roll over." Then there came an inexpressible gratitude. He felt thankful to Souri. thankful to Jakey, thankful to Laura Fain, thankful to his God. There was something especially engaging in Miss Pains efforts on his behalf. inasmuch as she regarded him an enemy to'her country. He thought of Souri in prison waiting for old Triggs to discover her deception. What would they do to her? And Jakey? Would they injure mere - boy? He vowed that if he should es- cape and outlive the war he would find out just what had happened. and if either had been harshly treated he would have his revenge.
 Musing he fell asleep, but he soon awoke. It was past midnight-the day of his execution. He shuddered.
 He tried to go to sleep again, but the dreadful fate which would have been his had not Souri saved him, and on the very last evening before his intend ed execution. got into his head, and he could not drive it out. And now. were not men and hounds hunting him for miles around, to drag him back to Chattanooga to that dreadful jailyard, the scaffold. the rope, the black cap? And Laura Fain, suppose she should weaken; suppose she should, after all. consider it her duty to give him up; suppose demand should be made to search the house; supposed thou sand suppositions chased each other through his excited brain.
 He lay tossing till just before dawn, when he again fell into a troubled slumber.
 He was awakened by a squadron of cavalry passing along the road. The sun had not yet risen, but it was light. He could look right down on them, though they could not see him. They trotted along slowly, all looking worn and sleepy. They were evidently the men who had passed the night before, and were going back from an unsuc- cessful hunt. Mark noticed the differ. ent positions many of them took in or der to rest in their saddles. The sight took him back to his own troop, and he ionged to be in the stirrups again with them.
 An officer, followed by two men, came riding back. Maybe they were coming to the house. They stopped at the gate. One of the men rode forward, dfsmor ted and opened 1t The officer entered and rode up to the front door. Marks heart seemed to stop beating. He could not see what was going on below so close under his window, but presently heard the officer talking to some one on the veranda.
 "A Federal spy escaped last night from Chattanooga, madam. He was in the disguise of a negro girl" There was something more which was unin- telligible.
 Then Mark heard the word "no" spoken in a voice which he thought w1c Mrs Eaiu'S
 He was tracked to the river, which he must have crossed. He probably landed mile or two below Chattanoo- ga, and we believe he is hiding some where within a few miles of this place."
 "You are welcome to- Mark could not hear to what the officer was vel come, but be surmised it was to search the house.
 What time did you go to bed?"
 The reply was inaudible.
 "You saw nothing till then?"
 "No, sir.''
 "And everything was shut up at ten o'clock"
 "Yes, sir.''
 "You are good Confederates, reck- pn."
 "Yes, sir; my son"- Mark could not