The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-09-08


rified- Should he keep the secret
Laura's secret2 He leaned against a
pillar Of the veranda and passed his
hand over his brow.
He could not stab Laura: he could
not even betray the man who had left
her in his care. He did nothing
Half an hour had elapsed when Tai
iaferro. who had been busyfng him.
self with some papers, began to won
der what had become Of the two men.
He got up and went out on the veranda.
where's Green?" he asked quickly.
~Gone."
~GoneY'
Eyes. gone half an hour ago."
"What does this mean. Cameron
'It means that have been keeping
from you what can KEEPING longer or
/ would. This man Green Is a Federal
spy"
'Cameron-my friend-great Cod
are you traitor? There is something
back-tell me, quick"
Twice before he has crossed my
path. He was taken and tried at Chat
tanooga. was detailed to defend him.
had never seen him before He was
found guilty and sentenced to be
hanged. but escaped
when l met him again It was at
the Fains' house. Laura Fain, the wo-
man upstairs, then my betrothed. but
now-his wife, was concealing him."
"WenT
IT saw that she was infatuated with
him She claimed him for her guest
IT,"
''Wen, go on"
II could not honorably inform on
him"
'-Oh, Cameron what absurdity =
what idiocy-what"-
''This afternoon you sent for me.
came. / saw the man had seen twice
before-with my-with the Eoveliest,
the noblest Of all women-his wife,"
The major only stared at his friend;
he had no words to express his feel
tngs. his sympathy.
when we came out here he told me
that he would accept nothing further
for himself at my hands; that he would
not shield himself behind woman's
skirts. He walked away before me-"
.And your"
II permitted him"
Taliaferro shuddered- He knew that
his friend by his act had placed him.
self in a terrible position.
Cameron" he said. do you know
you are liable to be shot for this?"
81 do"
Il always told you" the major went
on anxously. impatiently. that your
notions Of honor were absurd. quixot-
&C."
..The highest sense Of honor is never
quixotic. 1t Is best fitted for Chris
tian,s soldier and gentleman"
"And do you expect me to let this
spy go"
mo. Protect yourself = the cause.
Send after him 1t is I who have con-
nived at his escape. not you- You
must not suffer-"
.'The cause alone is enough"
''Orderly." he called to man stand
ing by the gate.
The soldier approached and stood at
attention.
go tell Captain Heath that the man
who was here this evening has gone
and l want him followed and brought
back. Tell him to send by all the
roads,"
The man saluted and went away.
Cameron" said the major. after CIV
ing the order, God grant that this act
Of yours may not be known. 1t will
not be, for ! am the only one who
knows Of it, and it will never pass my
hps."
II am responsible for my act, and If
courage to meet the consequences like
q man. The young wife who was
left in my charge leave In yours. I
would gladly protect her myself. but I
prefer to spare her the pain of being
under my protection. II her husband
Is taken and she needs me. send for
me-"
As soon as he had gone Taliaferro
called negro woman. and told her to
go to the lady's room and ask her Gf
she had not gone to bed, to come to
him. as he had communication to
make.
Madam" said the major deferen-
tally. your husband has gone"
"Where?" asked Laura. with a
blanched cheek
He walked away In the presence Of
Captain Fitz Hugh, who would not de-
tain him or inform me that he had
gone till he was obliged to do SOL
Laura clasped her hands and mutely
breathed a blessing on the man who
had spared her husband for her sake.
How long has he been gone?" she
asked.
more than half an hour"
"Have you ordered his pursuitY'
II have"
"And he has a start or
Thirty minutes"
you'll never take him. He bears a
charmed life"
And now, madam, what can do
for you? My friend charged me to see
that You have every attention"
Il will go on and Join my mother"
'TonightT
"'Tonight-now."
"Your phaeton shall be at the door In
few minutes. You must accept my
escort. There will be a guard be-
sides"
In ten minutes Laura, Major ITALIA
ferro seated beside her. six stalwart
cavalry men In gray about her. was on