The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-01-05

through a place called Altamont. some
twenty miles farther. to McMinnv1lle.
He was Informed by people he met on
the road that Altamont had been re-
Gently occupied in force by tho Union
troops. With luck they might reach
the Union lines, which would doubt
less extend several miles from Alta
mont, that afternoon.
Within six hours" said Mark. u
shall either be safe among Union SOD
diers o. on my way back to Chatta-
noOga.'
Laura shuddered. but said nothing.
Mark found a very different c0ndi-
ton Of affairs at Anderson frsm what
he had found along the road. The
C~onfederates had some cavalry force
there and more at Dunlap, Eve miles
north. On the road be heard that Cen
eral Bragg was at Dunlap. but with
no troops save cavalry.
Il see it all said the spy to him
self. The willy fox is confronting cur
forces with Il handful Of ca valry while
the two divisions OF Cheatham aud
W ithttS tit uIdituluS UOIl0 DC1tuO
him, and the main force has gone to
Knoxville by rail on Il line still farther
east. No wonder our generals are puz-
zled and watching d line from Battle
creek to Cumberland gap II the Lord
will only let me get through to carry
his Information, I'll never ask 70 I'VE
to go on another such expedition"
The party were stopped near Ander-
son by a picket. Mrs. Fain produced
her pass and stated that the two be-
hind were in her company. The o6lcer
took no especial care in reading It aal
when Mark and Laura came up thay
got safely through without Qassssa.
Mark was now anxious about tho
picket which must be passed in . few
minutes on the DAD leading west fren
Anderson. Mrs. Fain was eth ahead,
and he hoped that all would - ~ we'd
as at the picket just passed. Not q
word was spoken betweso him and
Laura; both dreaded getting cut It An
derson. but once past the next picket
they would breathe easier.
When they reached it Mrs. Fain haa
been passed through aud gOne oa. The
officer in command. however. had read
the pass carefully. He had net astced
any mention OF Mark In It
Where's your pass" he asked.
Didn't the lady ahead show It 10
you" asked Mark.
Her pass didn't include yeQ.~
Didn't it?" Mark feigned surprise.
No"
"Oh, | forgot; mine ana my wtfeis u
separate" and be drew out to pass Of
Thomas Green and wife"
Meanwhile Laura had turzel white
as a cloth. The officer read De pass.
and would doubtless have let them GO
had be not noticed Laura's agitation.
you'll have to go back to hsaAsuar-
tiers and get Major Taliaferro's srAer
on that. He commands at An1eswo0-"
Mark demonstrated he asguel sAak
he would become separated feea Mns.
Fain; he urged his wife's desire to
reach her sick father. All In vain. He
was told that the hcadquarterv were
only half Il mile down the read and
be would lose but little tine. He
made a virtue OF necessity ana drove
back with apparent good nature.
The commanding oincer had g0ae e
Dunlap. five miles away. to par his
respects to General bragg. anA wssld
not be back for an hour or two.
Mark resolved to report his absence
to the officer Of the picket post. in the
hope that he would not DO compelled
to wait. He drove TO the picket ana
used his tongue pcrsuasivsly. hat to
no purpose. The more anxious he
seemed the more resolved grew the
captain.
There seemed to be nothing to " bat
return aud await the arrival Of the
commanding officer. Mark reluctantly
turned the horses head and drove back
to headquarters. Laura's Asars sank
within her.
1t was sunset when Major Taliaferro.
a pleasant looking man Of twsnty-ssv-
EN- or twenty-eight, rode ~ t. the
door and entered the office.
Major Taliafetroy' asked Mark.
AT your service. SIR"
major, ! have been detained by the
officer at the picket, who waats your
name On my pass. My wife's mother
has gone on, and her daughter Is very
anxious to join her. 1t is extremely
unfortunate for us to get 20 Tar sep
arated from Mrs. Fain."
Pain. of the FANS Of Chattanooga? r
1.-THE same"
II have heard of the family. bat have
never had the pleasure Of meeting any
member Of 1t. One Of my friends b
engaged to Miss Fain. have lust
parted from him at Dunlap"
Mark and Laura cast q quick glance
at each other-a glance Of terror oa the
part Of Laura.
1--WE are fortunate In falling int yonr
hands," said Mark. and l bag you
will not delay Us a moment" AID
Mark handed him the pam.
Certainly not" And the majsr tea.
up q pen to write his indOrSamonG
YNsA