The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-06

''MAY TROUBLE YOU TO THROW UP YOUR
 HANDS ?"
 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. I assume to a perception in this respect not less keen than yours In deed so sure am of the delicacy. the refinement of your instincts. that l feel perfectly safe under this roof"
 "How sop asked Fitz Hugh. sur prised.
 q am the guest of that young lady,"
 Mark stood with his arm outstretch- ed, his finger pointing to Laura Pain. spoke, which caught the eye of Cap tain Fitz Hugh. 1t contained admira- ton, devotion. Fitz Hugh gazed from one to the other without word.
 "T 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 l cannot honorablY enter this house and profit or cause nay country to profit by what l find here without the consent of the inmates"
 "I do."
 "Mrs. Fain is the acknowledged head of this house, and she is evidently de- ceived. But l concede to Miss Fain the right to speak for her. l acknowl- edge Miss Pains right to hold me to this secret, if any one has such a right. But when Miss Fain shall have been fully advised of all the facts"-
 Pardon me; shel knows all you know."
 'Then when Miss Fain shall 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 a decision between her country and her lover on the one hand and the de- fenseless Union spy on the other. Lau- "a knew the sterling worth, the high sense of honor and duty of her lover. She knew that If she held him to se- 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? Fitz 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 F1tz Hugh, speaking slowly and impressively, "l ask your permission to give up this inn 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 I, your lover, would lay down my life as I would lay it down for you. It seems to me that it is question be- tween your duty and your inclination. Does it seem so to youT"
 'It does."
 'oThen tell me, may send for a guard to take himY'
 Laura's eyes shone like those of a tigress at bay. In a firm, clear voice. she said:
 "Nor
 For 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. 'fYou have nothing to fear from me-" Then turning to Laura:
 q can understand the motive, the temptation. The act remains"
 "You may consider yourself released from all ties with one whose act you do not approve" said Laura.
 (To Be Continued.)