The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-08

Mark suddenly became conscious Of
having forgotten himself. He recol-
lected his critical position and resolved
to proceed with greater care.
"How far is the moon?" asked Miss
Fain.
"The moons a hundred million miles.
I reckon
"Oh, no. You're far out Of the way
there. It's only about two, hundred
and forty thousand miles,"
"Waal, nowv' exclaimed Mark in
we'll feigned surprise.
She looked searchingly at him, but
Mark looked as if be had simply re-
ceived an interesting piece of informa-
ton.
"Do you like poetry?" she asked
changing the subject.
''Some'at.'
my favorite poet is Tennyson. Is
he yours too?"
This was dangerous ground for Mark.
He had a special fondness for poetry,
and was more likely to betray himself
on this than on any other subject
"No," he said; Il love Shelley best"
"Whyj Mr.. Slack, how can you un-
derstand Shelley? I can't
"Waal, he is kinder obscurelike."
"Do you remember any Of his poems?
If you do I would like to hear you re-
peat it"
"Waal, I mought give you few
lines Of the 'Ode to the Spirit O. Ma
ture.'"
"Please do
Mark would have done well to let the
lode to the Spirit Of Nature" alone;
but with a beautiful girl beside him.
the half moon sinking In the west and
all nature in repose, he momentarily
forgot his assumed character entirely.
Suddenly he awoke to the conscious
ness Of having given the whole poem
in his natural tone and with his ordi-
nary accent
''Mr. Slack" said his listener when
he had finished. Ibid you learn that
from man in Jasper"
"No-no-I-waaL" he stammered, II
read it In book
he stole a glance at his companion.
but failed to detect any unusual ex-
preston on her face. he took courage.
"What do you raise on your planta'
tion?" she asked.
"Oh, we put in some potatoes and
corn and straw this year."
"Straw?"
ssNo, no; not straw" Mark was as
little conversant with the farmers art
as he was familiar with the poets. Il
mean hay"
The girl looked at him and smiled.
'sThe wheat was all gotten in early
this summer, ] am told" she remarked
casually.
"Yas, we got in ourn early. We jest
finished up before I KEN away"
"Why. Mr.. Slack!'
Mark knew that he had blundered
again.
Wheat is gathered in July" she in
formed the young farmer.
81 mean the corn." he said wildly.
taThe corn comes later. 1t Is ripen-
ing now"
Mark felt it was all up with him so
far as deceivine Miss Fain as to his
being a farmer, but he struck out
boldly to undo some Of the mischief
"WaaL you see, Miss Fain, to tell
the whole truth, dad be don't reckon
much on my farmen. He says I
oughter be a perfessor OF somep'n O
that sort"
"a gentleman. for instance"
Mark made no reply. For the first
time be detected irony in her tone.
"Mr. Slack-if that is really your
name. which I don't believe you aSe
certainly not very complimentary to
my sense Of perception"
."How SOP"
"1n trying to make me think you are
not an educated gentleman"
Mark saw the futility Of keeping up
the sham with. Miss Laura Fain any
longer. He resolved to give her so
much of his confidence as was neces-
sary to keep her from betraying him.
II will be frank with you am not
what I have pretended. but I am not
here to injure you or yours"
"Are you a Union man?"
"Yes." >
"a northerner?"
"Yes: but let that suffice. You would
regret it if should conide anything
more to you Yet from this brief inter-
view l have learned to trust you sufh-
ciently to place my life in your keep
ing"
She thought moment. A faint shud-
der passed over her.
81 don't want to know your secret"
"Will you tell your mother what you
have discovered?" asked Mark anx-
iously.
mot for worlds"
"You suspect He paused and
iooke6 et her in1uifinplV.