The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-22

sion"
Her arms were about him. She drew
little away and fixed her black eyes
upon him. They shone like those OF
some savage but beautiful animal
about to be bereft Of her young
IF you go again." she said tierceiy,
Into the presence of such a death |
will go with you"
Mark made no reply, except to throw
bis arms about her neck and draw her
to him again. Her ferceneSs was with
him her chief charm Then be made
an effort to rise.
Stay where you are" she said in
the same imperious tone in which she
had given the order once before when
be threatened to leave the garret; you
shall lie there till you promise that you
will be spy no more.''
LET me up" cried Mark, smiling at
her earnestness.
Lie still.'
Come. sweetheart" be said plead
ingly, "let me get up. and I'll say with
Hotspur to his Kate, When I'm on
horseback I'll swear l love thee inf
| nitely."
Mark was on his back. his arms pin
toned. He was powerless. he was
surprised at Laura's strength
promise"
"Neyer!'
"Promise."
why so? I know I shall be dying
! to go again In week"
Then you shall lie there till the war
is over"
But thought you told me once that
If you were a man you would be all |
have BEEN"
$50 would. And you, being man,
might continue to be so were you the
husband of any other woman; but
mine, never!'
! Mark looked into her eyes and knew
that his career in the secret service
! had ended.
The arrival of Laura the night be-
| fore at the farmhouse where her mother
had stopped, and awaited her coming
anxiously. their resumption OF their
journey the next day. during which
Laura confessed all to her mother,
their safe arrival within the Union
lines, the finding Mark at headquar-
tiers, may be passed over in a few
short phrases.
Marks meeting with his mother-in-
law was. to say the least. emharrass-
ing Mrs, Fain received him with the
same. dignity that had characterized
her throughout, but without her for
mer cordially. As yet she knew moth
ing about his connections, and She dis
! dained to ask. But Marx had satisfied
Laura, and the information she trans
mitted to her mother was in measure
modifying.
That afternoon the party that had
ridden into Anderson the day before
/ rode out of Altamont in the direction
of McMinnville. To ali outward ap-
pearance the situation was the same.
but really how different! Yesterday
Mark was in imminent danger, while
Laura was in q state Of terror. Then
they rode with scarcely word. Now
language was inadequate to convey all
they wished to express.
In the evening the party drew up
before General Thomas tent at Nc
Minnville-
Mark went inside.
"GeneraI," be said, you received my
teIegramY
II did"
Had you not received the informa-
ton before?"
IF we had. why should we be here?"
There was brief pause.
Il have brought something besides in
formation. general. May introduce a
| party waiting outsider
Certainly"
Mark went out and brought in Laura
and her mother
General. permit me to introduce my
wife"
The general looked at the blushing
/ Laura, then at her mother. then at
Mark, in undisguised establishment
II thought you had been on scout, "
be said.
Il nave"
! And courted and wed at the same
| time%
j Yes. general"
: "Be seated. ladies. Now expIaip all
this"
Mark gave an outline Of his adven-
lures. his listeners eyes opening wider
as he proceeded. When the recital was
finished the general called out:
"Orderlyw
! In g twinkling man was standing
, in the tent waiting an order.
"Seud for Chaplain Gadsden."
eyes, sir"
! 81 am Il trihe uncertain about that
wedding" remarked the general i
think we'd better have it done accord
ing TO the regulations"
! All smiled save Mrs. Fain, who main
tained rigid and dignifed silence.
NEbilo thov worp whiting for the