The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-01-05
Trust me. madam. I will have dill
gent search made"

Trust me, madam. l will have DILL
gent search made"
Are you a geologistT'
"NOne but a geologist would be hunt
Ing for ore in the government service"
THAT Is a fascinating study" re-
marked Mrs. Fain. who was a great
render and a very intelligent woman
Now Mark. though an educated man
and born to a taste for the sciences.
unfortunately knew less about the
profession be had temporarily adopted
than any other.
There are ONE curious geological
facts" Mrs. Fain went IN. (which al
ways interest me. | was reading yes
terday that a famous geologist has
said that centuries-l he forgotten
how many-were consumed while NJ
agara falls were wearing their way
from Lewiston 10 the present site.
How long was 1t. professori I'm sure
you have that title"
1T could not have been less than
Eve hundred years. madam" said
Mark. laying great stress on the Ii.
ures as something enormous.
give hundredi | thought It was
something like twenty thousand"
Mark perceived that he had made q
gross blunder. but 1t would never do
for him to acknowledge 1t.
IL am aware" he said. that such is
the opinion Of a certain school OF
biologists with more assurance than
brains. | refer to those scOtfers who
are continuously trying to find evi
dence against the Mosaic o OF
creation. but | regard their position
~untenable."
There was a pleased look on Mrs
Fain's ~countenance. She belonged to
the Baptist denomination n believed
thoroughly that the world was made
In six days of twenty -four hours each.
"Professor." she said. withdra wing
from the room at h same time. II
trust that you will remain In the
neighborhood a long while. and | beg
you to honor us by making this house
your home in the meantime"
Mark was standing with a half filled
glass Of wine In his left hand. while
his right was on his heart. Mrs. Fain
made her exit through the door by
which she had cOme. opening into the
dining Dom AS the door closed Mark
was bending to the floor. admira bly,
representing a South Carolina gentle
mai of the olden time.
He heard something like a low cry
half surprised. half terror-frOm Lau-
"a. Turning quickly toward her he
saw her eyes fixed in q stare on some
object at the door opening into the
hall. Another turn Of his head and
there stood the figure of Captain
Cameron Fitz Hugh.
Twice before had Mark seen that
face. nee when Fitz Hugh had ap-
preached the Fain house the morning
Mark had left 1t for Chattanooga. and
once when the young Confederate had
defended him at the trial.
No sooner had Captain Fitz Hugh
laid eyes on Marks face than he rec
ognized the spy he had defended at
Chattanooga.
Professor" he said coolly. you are
very adroit."
Mark turned scarlet. and then ashy
pale. For a moment 1t seemed that
his legs would not support him.
'Since you are so good at extricatfng
yourself from difficulties. you. have a
fine opportunity TO show your skill
now" Fitz Hugh spoke with his hand
on the handle OF his pistol. May |
trouble you to throw up your hands.
professor?"
1T is not necessary" said Mark. II
am unarmed."
a picture OF his certain fate flashed
across his mind. and he wished Fitz
Hugh would shoot him.
ION your word Of honor?"
why do you ask such a question?
You know that | am an arch deceiver."
AT any rate. you are a gentleman.
Never mind throwing up your hands
Laura remained silent. staring at
them both as though she had lost her
reason. Had she q hundred things to
say her tongue could not have been
made to utter one.
Mark turned toward Fitz Hugh and
looked him square in the face. He
had conceived an idea: q forlorn hope.
It Is true. still a hope. Quick to dis
Germ peoples ~peculiarities. he had got.
ten an insight into F1tz Hugh's char.