CLARENCE.
By Bret Harte.
( Copyright , 1831 , tir Bret llarte. )
PAP.T I. Chapter III ,
Uninspected and astounding as the rcvela-
IJR tfas to Clarence , Its strange reception by
Ke conspirators seemed to him ns astound-
nfe. He had started forward , half expecting
hit the complacent , self-confessed spy vrould
X ! Immolated by his infuriated dupes. Butte
to lila surprise the shock seemed to have
ihangcd their natures and given them the
I Dignity they had lacked ,
> The excitability , Irritation nnd recklessness
/Which / had previously characterized them
Jiad disappeared. The deputy and his possa ,
> M'ho had advanced to the assistance of their
I frbvcalcd chief , met with no resistance. They
Jiad evidently , as with one accord , drawn
I bway from Judge Beeswlnger , leaving a
cleared space around him , and regarded their
tap'tora with sullen , contsmptuous silence.
Jt was only broken by Colonel Starbottle :
if "Your duty commands , you , sir , to use all
possible diligence in bringing us before the
federal judge ot this district. Unless your
* tnaster In Washington has violated the can-
htltutlon so far nS to remove him , tool"
f "I understand you perfectly , " returned
pudgo Beeawlnger wljh unchanged compos-
jire , "and as you know that Judge AVIlson
unfortunately cannot bo removed except
through regular cause of Impeachment I sup-
I IKISO you may still count upon Jits southern
sympathies to befriend you. With that I have
nothing to do ; my duty Is complete when my
leputy has brought you before him and I
have stated the circumstances of the ar-
rest. "
i "I congratulate you , sir , " said Captain
Plnckney , with an ironical salute , "In your
[ irompt reward for your treachery to the
couth , and your equally prompt adoption of
the peculiar tactics ot your friends In the
\vay In which you have entered this house. "
4 "I am sorry I cannot congratulate you ,
plr , " returned Judge Beeswlnger gravely , "on
R breaking your oath to the government that
V lias educated and supported you , and given
Pi B'ou the opaulcts ycu dlsgrape. Nor shall I
k-i ' ' " who has
- discuss 'treachery' with the" man
R not 6nly violated the trust of his country , but
bvea the lilt'grlty of his frlena's household.
It Is foi that reason that I withhold the
R fiction of this warrant Insofar as It affects
Iho person of the master and mistress of this
house. I am satisfied that Mr. Brant has been
ns Ignorant of what hau bcn done here as I
iirn that his wife has been only the foolish
ilupo of a double traitor. "
"Slloscc ! "
Tlje words broke simultaneously from the
ot Clarence nnd Captain Pinckney. They
teed staring nt each other the one pale ,
\ho other crimson as Mrs. Ilrant , app.ir-
tntly oblivious cf the significance of their
united adjuration , turned to Judge Bees-
winger In the fury of her still stifled rage
P hnd morttflcatlon.
PL "Keep ysur mercy A > r your fellow spy ,
fc fcho said , "Ylth a contemptuous gesture to
R ivard her husband. "I go with these gen
R tlomcn. " , ,
P i . "You will not , " said Clarence , quietly ,
Rl ' 'until I have said a word to you alane. "
R Ho laid his hand firmly upon her wrist.
R "the deputy and his prisoners filed slowly
R but of the court yard togpther , the latter
R cdvlrleously saluting Mrs. Brant as they
R passed , but turnlJg from Judge Beeswlnger
R In contsmptuous silence. The latter fol-
R lowed them to the gate , but there ho paused.
/ Turning to Mrs. Brant , who was still half
' etruggl ng In the strong grip of her husband ,
/ > "Any" compunction I may have had In
mlslcad'ng you by accepting jour Invitation
Rj Jiero I dismissed after I had entered the
Rj Jiouso. And I trust , " he added , turning to
Clarence , sternly. "I leave you master ot It. "
f As the gate closed behind him Clarence
locked It. As his wife turned upn him
hngrlly hd wild , q'uletly."I have no in-
. tentlQH of restraining ypur liberty a moment
i nfter our Interview Is over. But until then
R X t do net Intend to bo disturbed. "
K'OL ' l8110 threw herself disdainfully back In her
Rf chair , her hands clasped in her lap , In half
fcontemptucus resignation , with her eyes upn
" tier long , slim , arched teet crossed before her.
R Even in her attitude there was something
pf her old fascination , which , however , now
siomed to sting Clarence to the quick.
I I "I have n.thing to say to you In regard
I Jo what has just passed in this house , ex-
| - * cpt that aa long ns I remain nominally Its
, * ' " lnastcr ll sha11 not bo repeated. Although I
. shall no longer attempt to influence or ctm-
f\ trol your political sympathies I shall n t
LI 'allow you to Indulge them where In any
I way they seem to Imply my sanction. But
I BO little do I oppose your liberty that you
I - M < J free t3 rejoin yaur political companions
I whenever you choose to do so on your own
( responsibility. But I must first know from
your own lips that yonr sympathies are
purely political net a name for something
v else. "
f She had alternately flushed and paled , al-
through still keeping her scornful attitude as
Rj lie wont on , but there waa no mistaking the
genuineness" of Jir vague wonderment at
tils concluding words , "I don't understand
Vpu , " she said , lifting her eyes to hU In a
Jnomcijt ot c-ld curiosity. "What do you
* ' "
jnean ?
> . , ' : WhaUdo I mean ? What did Judge Bee-
swinger mean when he called Captain Plnck-
I } ioy a double traitor ? " he said roughly.
She sprang to her feet with flashing eyes.
' "And ycu you dare to repeat the cowardly
HK lie of a confessed spy. This , then , is what
KV * you wished to tell me this , the Insult for
which you have kept mo here , because you
RR. are Incapable of understanding unselfish
I liatrlotlsm or devotion even to your own
cause you dare to judge me by your own
B base standards. Yes , It Is worthy ot you ! "
; She walked rapidly up and down , and then
suddenly faced him.
RR ] \ "l understand It all ! I appreciate your
RRj magnanimity cow. You are willing I shall
V 'join ' the company of these chivalrous gentle-
Rj tnen In orJer to glvo color to your calumnies.
Rj Say at onca that It was you who puUup this
Rj spy to correspond with me to come here In
Rj order to entrap mo. Yes , entrap mo I who
Rf o moment ago stood up for you before these
RH Rontlemen. and said you could not He !
RRj Rah ! "
RRj Struck only by the wild extravagance of
Rj lier speech and temper Clarence did not
RL luiow that when women are most Illogical
Rj they nro apt to be most sincere , and , from
Rj a man's standpoint , her unreasoning deduc-
tlons appeared to him only as an affectation
RR ] to gain time for thought , or a theatrical dls-
RRI play to dazzle , like , Susy's. And ho waa
RRj turning , halt contemptuously , away when she
RRj ngaln facoJ htm with flashing eyes :
B "Well , hear me ! I accept ! I leave here
RR * , at onca to join my own people , my own
friends those who understand mo put what
RRf construction on It you choose. Do your
B worst I You cannot do mere to separate us
than you have , done just now. "
She left him and ran up the steps , with an
I extravagant return ot her old occasional
C > nymph-like gracefulness the movement ot a
V woman who has never borne children and n
RRj nwltch ot her long skirts that he remembered
RRj for many a day utter as she disappeared In
RRJ the corridor.
i He remained looking after her Indignant ,
RRj outraged , and unconvinced ! Then there was
RRj a rattling at the gate.
RH Ho remembered ho had locked It , He
, opened It to the. flushed , pink checks and
L dancing eyes ot Susy. The rain was still
Rfc V dripping from her wet cloak as she iwung It
from her shoulders.
RR "I know It all , all that's happened , " slio.
Rff burst out , with halt girlish exuberance , and
halt the actress's declamation. "We met
ft them all in the road , posse and prisoners.
Ri , clllef Thompson knew me. and told me all.
j fAnd so jou've done It and you're mactcr
§ in your old house again. Clarence , old boy ,
g Jim said you wouldn't do It Said you'd
weaken on account of her ! But I said 'No. '
ft I knew you better , old Clarence , and 1 saw
Rj v lt In your face , for all your stlffnesil He1
h .Uut for a'l that I was mighty nervous and
W uneasy , and Just made Jim send an excuse
to the theater , and we rushed U down h re >
It looka natural to see the old bouse again !
And the ; you packed her off with the oth-
M cri , didn't you ? Tell me , Clarence , " In her
old appealing voice , "you shook her , too ? "
Dazed and astounded , and yet expressing
A vacua sense ot relief with an odd return
I Ot his old tenderness toward thrtlltul
R vroman before htm , hi ) had silently regarded
tier nntll her allusion to bis wife rvcallel
him to himself
"Hush. " he aald quickly , with a glanca
RF-v toward tha corridor.
. { ! AIiP ld Sutf , with a malicious imlle ,
"then that' * why Captain Plnckncy was
lingering In the rear with the deputy. "
"Sllencel" said Clarence slcrply. "Go In
there , " pointing to the garden room below
the balcony , "and wait until your husband
comes. "
Ho half led , halt pushed her Into the
room which had been his bustneur office , and
returned to th § patio. A hesitating voice
from the balcony said , "Clareuce. "
It was his wife's voice , but modified and
gentler more like her voice a ho had first
heard It or If It were chastened by some
reminiscence of those days. It was his
wife's face , too , that looked down on his ,
paler than lie had seen It tinco he had en
tered the house. She was shawled and
hooded , carrying a traveling bag in her
hand.
"I am going , Clarence , " she said nltli
gentle gravity , "but not la angerl I even ,
ask you to forgive me for the foolish wordd
that I think your stilt more foolish accusa
tion , " hp smiled faintly , "dragged from
me. I am going because I know that I
have brought , and that while I am
here I shall always be bringing upon you
the Imputation , anil even the responsibility
of my own faith ! While I am proud to
own It , and. If needs be , suffer for it , I
have no right to ruin your prospects , or
even make you the victim of the slurs that
others may cast upon me. Let us part as
friends , separated only1 by .our different
political faiths , but keeping all other faiths
together until God shall settle the right of
this struggle. Perhaps It may be soon I
sometimes think It may be years of agony
for all but until then , goodby. "
She had slowly descended the steps to the
patio , looking handsomer than he had over
seen her , and as If sustained and upheld by
the enthusiasm of her cause. Her hand was
outstretched toward hla , his heart beat vie ,
lently , In another moment ho might ha\e
forgotten all and clasped her to his breast.
Suddenly she stopped , her outstretched I
arm stiffened , her linger pointed to the chair
on wlilch.-Su8y'a cloak was hanging.
"What's that ? " she said In a sharp , high ,
metallic voice. "Who "
Is here ? Speak !
"Susy , " said Clarcncs.
She cast n scathing glance around the
patio , and then settled her piercing eyes upon
Clarence with a bitter smile.
"Already ! "
Clarence felt the blood rush to his faro as
he stammered : "She knew what was happen
ing here and came to give you warning. "
"Liar ! "
"Stop ! " said Clarence , with a white face.
"She came to tell me that Captain Plnckney
was still lingering for you In the road. "
He threw open the gate to let her .pass.
As she swept out aho lifted her hand. As he
closed the gats > there were the white marks
of her tour fingers on his cheek.
PART r. Chapter IV.
For once , Susy had not exaggerated. Cap
tain Plnekney was lingering- with the deputy
who had charge of him on the trail near the
casa. It had already been pretty well under
stood by both captives and captors that the
arrest was simply a legal demonstration , that
the sympathizing federal Judge would un
doubtedly ordep the discharge ' of the prison
ers on their own recognizance's , and It was
probable that ths deputy saw1 no harm In
granting Pinckney's request ? which was vir
tually only a delay In his own liberation. II
Is also possible that Plnckney had worked
upon the chivalrous sympathies of the mar
by professing his disinclination to leave theli
devoted colleague , Mm. Brant , at the mere ;
6f her antagonistic and cold-blooded husbani
at such a crisis , anfl. it Is to be feared , also
that Clarence , as a reputed lukewarm parti
san , excited no personal sympathy even frori
his own party. Ilowzver , the deputy agreed
to delay Pinckney's Journey for a pitting In
terview with his fatf hostess.
How far this expressed the real sentiment :
of Captain Plnckney was never known.
Whether his political association with Mrs
Brant had developed Into a warmer solicitude
understood or ignored by her , and what were
his hopes and aspirations regarding his fu
ture , was by the course of fate nsver d's-
closed. A man of easy ethics but rigid arti
ficialities of honor , flattered and pampered bj
so-called "man of the
class prejudice , , a -
world , " with no expjrlenco beyond his owr
limited circle , yet brave- and devoted1 to that
It were well perhaps to leave this last act 01
his inefficient life to the simple- record ot th <
deputy.
Dismounting , he approached the house frorr
the garden. He was already familiar will
the low-arched doorway which led to tin
business room , and from which he could galr
admittance to the patio. But It BO chancec
that he entered ths- dark passage at the mo
ment that Clarence had thrusd Susy Into tin
business room and htanl Its door shu
sharply. For an Instant he believed tha
Mrs. Brant had taksn refuge there , but as hi
cautiously moved forward ho heard her volci
In the patio beyond. Its accents struck fcln
as pleading : an Intense curiosity drew bin
further along the passage. Suddenly her volci
seemed to change to angry denunciation , am
the word "Liar" rang upon his ears. Itwai
followed by his own name uttered sardonic
ally by Clarence , the swift rustle of a skirt
ths clash of the gate , and then , forgettinf
everything , he burst Into the patio.
Claronca was just turning from the gat <
with the marks of his wife's hand still rec
on his white cheek. He saw Captain Plnck
ney's eyes upon it , and a faint , half mall
clsus. half hysteric smile upon his lips. Bui
without n start or gesture of surprise hi
l-.cked the gate , and turning to him said
with frigid tlgnlflcance :
"I thank you for returning so promptly am
for recognizing the cnly thing that I now
require at your hands. "
But Captain Plnckney had recovered hli
supercilious ease with the significant de
mand.
"You seem ta have had something already
from another's hand , sir but I am at xoui
service. " he said lightly
"You will consider that I have accepted I
from you. sir. " said Clarence , drawing closei
to him with a rlgU face. "I suppose 1
will not be nccesary f.r me to return It-
to make you understand me. "
"Go on , " said Plnckncy , flushing .slightly
"Make your terms. I am ready. "
"But I'm not , " said the unexpected voice
of the deputy at the grille of the gateway
"Excuse my Interfering , gentlemen , but thli
sort o" thing ain't dcwn in my schedule
"I've let tbU gentleman. " pointing to- Cap
tain Plnckney , "off fir a mlnlt to say goodb ;
to a lady , who , I reckon , has just ridden cf
In her buggy with her servant without say
Ing by your leave but I don't calkelate ti
let Ii'.m Inter another builneas which , like a ;
not. may prevent mo from dellvtrlng hi
b:0y safe and sound InU court. You ties
met" As Clareuce opentd the gate hi
added "I don't want ter spoil sport be
twcen gents , but It's got to come In aftc
I've done my duty "
"I'll meet you , sir , anywhere and wltl
what weapons yui choose , " said Plnckney
turning angrily upon Clarence , "as coon as
thU farce for which you and your tricndi
are responsible ID over. " He Was furious
at the reflection that Mrs. Brant had es
caped him.
A different thought was In the husband's
mind. "Hut what assurance have I that
ycu are going on with the deputy ? " he said ,
with purposely Insulting deliberation.
"My uord , sir , " said Captain Plnckney ,
oharply.
"And If that ain't enuff. there's mine , "
feald the deputy. "For it this gentleman
swerves to the right or left betwixt this
and Santa Inez , I'll blow a hole through
him myself. "And that. " he added deprecatIngly -
Ingly , "Is saying a good deal for a man who
doesn't want to spoil sport , and , for the mat
ter of that. Is willing to stand by and see
fair play done at Santa Inez any time to-
mcrrow before break'fast. "
"Then I can count on you ? " said Clarence ,
with a sudden impulse , extending his hand.
The man hesitated a moment and then
grasped It. "Well , I wasn't expecting that , "
ho said slowly ; "but you look as If you meant
business , and It you ain't got anybody else
to see you through , I'm thar ! I suppose this
gentleman will have his friends. "
"I shall be there at 0 with my seconds , "
said Plnckney curtly. "Lead on. "
Ttjc gate closed behind them. Clarence
looked around the now empty patio and the
silent house , from which ho could now see
that the. sen-ants had been withdrawn to In
sure the secrecy of the gathering. Cool and
collected as ho knew he was ho stood still
for a moment In hesitation. Then the
sourtd of voices came to his car from the
garden room , the light frivolity of Susy's
laugh , and Hooker's huskier accents. Ho
had forgotten they were there he had oven
forgotten their existence.
Trusting still to his calmness ho called to
Hooker In his usual voice. That gentleman
appeared with a fact ) which his attempts to
make unconcerned and Impassive had , how
ever , only deepened Into funereal gravity.
"I have something to attend to , " said
Clarence , with a faint smile , "and.I must
ask you and Susy to excuse me for a little
while. She knows the house perfectly , and
will call the servants from the annex to
provide you both with refreshments. I will
Join you a llttlo later. " Satisfied from
Hooker's manner that they knew nothing
of his latter interview with Plnckney , he
turned away and nscehded to his own room.
Ho then threw himself Into an armchair
by the dim light of a single candle , as It
to reflect. But he was conscious even then
of liU own calmness and want of excite
ment , and that no reflection was necessary.
What ho had done and what he intended to
do was quite clear ; there was no alterna
tive suggested or to bo even sought after ,
lie had that -sense of relief which comes
with the climax of nil great struggles even
of defeat. He had never known before how
hopeless and continuous had been that struggle
glo until now it was over. He had no fear
for tomorrow , he would meet It as ho had
today , with the same singular consciousness
of being equal to the occasion. There was
even no necessity of preparation for It ;
his will , leaving his fortune to his wife
which seemed a slight thing now In this
greater separation was already In his safe
"I LEAVE YOU TH R MASTER OF IT. "
- In San Francisco ; his pistols were in the
i next room. He was even slightly disturbed
by hla own Insensibility , and passed into
his wife's bedroom , partly In the Iiopo ol
disturbing his serenity by some memento ol
the past. There was no disorder of flight
everything was in Its place sseept the
drawer of her desk , wblch was still open , as
if she had taken something from It as an
' afterthought. There were letters and papers
* there some of his own , and some In Cap
tain Pinckney's handwriting. It did not oc
cur to him to look at them even to Justify
himself or excuse her. He knew that his
hatred of Captain Plnckney was not so
much , that he believed him her lover as his
fcudden conviction 'that they were alike
Io was the male of her species a being
antagonistic to 'himself , whom he coulc
light and crush and revenge himself upon.
But most of all he loathed his past , not on
! account of her , but of his own weakness
that had made him her dupe , and a mls-
umjerstood man to his friends. He had
been derelict of duty in his unselfish devo
tion to her ; he had stifled his ambition and
underrated his own possibilities no wonder
others had accepted him at his own valu
ation. Clarence Brant was a modest man
. but the egotism of modesty U more fata
, than that of pretension , for It has the haunt
ing consciousness of superior virtue.
He re-entered his own room and again
threw himself In his chair. Hla calm wa
- being succeeded by a physical weariness ; h
remembered he had not slept the night be
fore , and he ought to take some rest to be
fresh In the early morning. Yet he mus
nlio show himself before his uelf-lnvltei
guests , Susy and her husband , or their BUS
plclons would be aroused. He would try t
sleep for a little while In the chair , befors h
wont down stairs again. Ho closed his eye
oddly enough on a dim , dreamy recollectlo
of Susy , of the old days in the little Madron
hollow , \\hero she had once given him a ren
dezvous. Ho forgot the maturcr and crlt !
Cal uneasiness with , which he had then re
celvcd her coquettish and willful advances
which he now knew wai the effect of th
growing dominance of Mrs. Peyton over him
The falntness he had felt when awaiting 1
the old ro e garden n few hours ago seemet
to steal over him once more , and to lapsi
Into a delicious drowsiness. He eve
stemed again to Inhale the perfume of th
roses.
"Clarence ! "
He started. Ho had been sleeping but th
voice sounded strangely real.
A llttlo girlish laugh followed. He upran
to his feet. H was Susy , standing bcsld (
him and Susy even as she looked in th
old days !
For with a flash of her old audacity , aided
by her perfect knowledge of the house , am
the bunch of household keys she had foum
which dangled from her girdle , as In the oh
fashion , she had disinterred one ot lur olc
frocks from a closet , slipped It on. and un
loosening her brown hair , hid let It fall 1
rlpplhg waves down her back. It wa
Susy In her old glrltshness , with the Instlnc
of the grown actress In the- arrangement o
her short skirt over her pretty ankles , am
the halt conscious pose she had taken.
"Poor old Clarence. " she said , with dancln
eyes , "I might havr- won a dozen pairs o
gloves from you while you slept there. Bu
you're tired , and you've had a hard time o
It. No matter you've shown yourself
man at last ! and I'm proud of you. "
Half ashamed of tht > pleasure- felt , eve
In his embarrassment , Clarence stammcrei
"But this change this dress ! "
Susy clapped her hands like a child. "
e knew It would surprise you ! It's an ol
frock I wore the year I went away wit
aunty. I knew where It was hidden. an <
fished It out again with these keyi. Clar
nice it seemed BO like old times. When
was with the old servants again and yo
didn't come down I just felt as If I'd neve
bsn away , and I just rampaged free ! , '
seemed to. me , don't you know , not as If IV
Juat come but as If I'd always been righ
here and U was yon who'd just came
Don't you understand ? Just as you cam
when me and Mary Rogers were here don'
you remember her. Clarence , and how sh
u ad to do 'gooseberry' for us ! well Jus
like that. So r eald to Jim 'I don't kno
h you any more grtt * and I juit slipped o
this frock and ordered Mannela around , as :
sed to do and she In Tils ot laughter I
eckon , Clarence , she hasn't laughed ai much
Ince I left. And then I thought ot you
> erhap > worried and fluttered ytt over things
md the change , and I just ftllppeil into the
lichen , and I told old tat' Cdnchtta to make
ome of Ihoso tortillas , you UfioTv with sugar
nd cinnamon sprinkled on top and I tied
n an apron and brought 'em up to you on a
ray with , a glvs * ot that old Catalan wine
hat you used to like. Then I sorter felt
rlghtcncd when I got here\ and I didn't hear
ny noise , nnd I put the tray down In the
alt and peeped In and tAurul you asleep.
It still , I'll fetch 'em. "
Bho tripped out Into the passage , return-
tiR with the tray. vrlilcH sh4 put on the
able beside Clarence , ntid then , standing
> ack a llttlo with her hands tucked soubrctte
ashlon in the tiny pockets of her apron ,
azed at him with a mischievous smite.
It was Impossible notto smile back as he
Ibhled the crisp Mexican cake and drank
ho old Mission wine. And Susy's tongue
rilled nn accompaniment to his thanks ,
"It seems so nice to bo here Just you and
me , Clarence like In the old days with
obody nnggln' and snoopln * round after you.
) on't be greedy , Clarence , but give me a
ake. " She took one and finished the dregs
f his glass.
He looked critically into the mischievous
yes , and said quietly : >
"Where Is your husband ? "
There was no trace ot embarrassment ,
pology , or even of consciousness In her
iretty face , as she replied , passing her hand
ghtly through his hair :
"Oh , Jim ! I've packed him off ! "
"Packed him off ! " echoed Clarence , slightly
stonlshed.
"Yes to Fair Plains full tilt after your
vlfo's bugggy. You see , Clarence , after the
Id cat that's your wife , please left , I
wanted to make sura she had gone , and
\asn't hangln' round to lead you off again ,
vlth her leg tied to your apron string , like
chicken's ! No ! I said to Jim , 'just you
'Ida after until you see she's sate and sound
n the donn coach from Fair Plains , without
icr knowln' it , and1 If she's Inclined to hang
ack or wobble any , you post back hero and
ct mo know ! ' I told him I would stay and
ook after you , to see you didn't bolt too ! "
She laughed , and then added : "But I didn't
lilnk I should fall Into the old ways so coon ,
ind have tucli a nice time. Did you , Clar-
nce ? "
She looked so Irresponsible sitting there , ami
; o childishly or perhaps thoughtlessly happy ,
hat he could only admire her levity , and
even the slight shock that her flippant nllu-
! on to hU wife had given him seemed to
ilm only a weakness of his own. After all ,
vas not hers the true philosophy ? Why
ihould not thcso bright eyes see things more
clearly than his own ? Nevertheless , with his
: yes still fixed upon them , he continued :
"And Jim was willing to go ? "
"Why , yes , you silly why shculdn't he ?
I'd. like to see him refuse. Why , Jim will
do anything I ask him. " Then suddenly
ooklng full Into his eyes , she said : "That's
tust the difference between him and me
and you and that woman ! "
"Then you love him ? "
"About as much as you love her. " she
said with an unaffected laugh , "only ho
dcn't wind me around his finger. "
No doubt she was right for all her thought-
essness , and yet he was going to flght about
ihat woman tomorrow ! No he forgot he
was gclng to flght Captain Plnckey because
ho was llko her ! " ,
"You know It as well .as1 jl'do , Clarence ,
she said , with a pretty w'rtttUllng of her
brows , which was her nearest approach to
thoughtfulness. "You know you never really
liked her. only you thought Ifer ways wore
grander nnd more proper than mine , and
you know you were always-a .little bit cf a
snob , and a prig , too ! And Mrs. Peyton was
bless ray BOH ! ! a Benham , a"hd a planter's '
daughter , and I I was only a ptcked- or
phan ! That's where Jini la better than you.
Oh. I know what you're always thtnlinc
you're thinking we're bath c'xSg'geralcd and
theatrical ain't you ? Don'j you think it's
a heap better to be exaggirateil and theatri
cal about things that are just sentimental
and romantic than to be sp awfully possessed
and overcome about thlrtgs1 that are only
real ! Thcra , ycu needn't stare at me so.
It's true ! You'vehad your fill of grandeur
and propriety , and here you are ! And,1
she added with a little chuckle , "here's
me ! "
"You sec , Clarence , " she went en , "you
ought never to have let mo go never. You
ought to have kept mo here , cr run away
with me. And you oughtn't to have tried
to make me proper. And you oughtn't to
have driven me to flirt with that horrid
Spaniard , and you oughtn't to have been so
horribly cold and severe when I did. Anil
you oughtn't to have made me take up with
Jim , wlia was the only one who thought
me his equal. I might have , been very silly
and capricious , nnd I might have been very
vain , but my vanity Isn't a bit worse than
ycur pride my love of praise nnd applause
In the theater Isn't a bit more horrid than
your fears of what people might think of
you or me. That's gospel truth. Isn't It
Clarence ? Tell me ! Don't look that way
nnd this look at mo ! Isn't It true ? "
"I was thinking cf you Just now when :
fell asleep , Susy , " he said. He did no
know why he said It ; he had not Intended
to tell her he had only meant to avoid a
direct answer to her questlcn , yet oven now
he went on. "And I thought of yon when
I was cut there In the rose garden watting
to come in here. "
"Ycu did ? " she said , drawing In her
breath. A wave of delicate pink color came
up to her very eyes It accmed to him as
quickly and as innocently as when she was
a girl. "And what do you think , Klarus"
she half whispered "tell mo ! "
He did not speak.
The dawn was breaking as Clarence and
Jim Hooker emerged together from the gate
ot the casa. Mr. Hooker looked sleepy
Ho had found , after his return from Fal
Plains , that his host had an early engage
ment at Santa Inei , and he Insisted upon
rising to see him off. It was with difficulty
Indeed , that Clarence could prevent his ac
companylng him. Clarence had no
revealed to Susy , the night before , the rea
object of his journey , nor did Hooker evl
dently suspect It , yet when he had mounted
his horse he hesitated for an Instant , bu
without extending his hand.
"It I should happen to be detained , " h
began with a half smile.
But Jim was struggling with a yawn
"Tha's all rlgh' don't mind us , " he said
stretching his arms. Clarence's hesl
fating hand dropped to bis side , and with a
light , reckless laugh and a half sense o
providential relief ho galloped away.
What happened Immediately thereafter
during his solitary ride to Santa Inez , looking
back upon It In after years , seemed but
confused recollection , more like a dream
The long stretches of vagu& distance gradu
ally opening clearer with the rising sun In an
unclouded sky , the meeting with a few early
or belated travelers and his unconsclou
avoidance of them , as it they might know
ot his object , the black shadows ot fore
shortened cattle rising bcfqre htm on th
plain and arousing the a-aiua 'uneasy tensa
tlon of their being waylaying men ; th
wondering recognition of , houses and land
marks he had long been , familiar with , hi
purposeless attempts to xccalj the clrcum
stances in which ho hay known them al
these were like a dream. So , too , were th
recollections ot ths night before , the cplsod
with Susy , already mlnglexl an.d blended wit
the memory ot their previous past , his futll
attempts to look forward , to the future , al
ways , however , abandoned , with relief at th
thought that the next few , hours might mak
them unnecessary. So , also , was the aud
den realization that Santa Inez waa befor
him , when he had thought he was not ye
half-way there , and as lie , dismounted befor
the court house his singular feeling fol
lowed , however , by no fear of distress tha
he had come BO early to ( .hi } rendezvous tha
he was not yet quite prepaid for It.
This same sense of unreality pervaded hi
meeting with the deputy sheriff ; the new
that the federal judge had , as was expectet
dismissed the prisoners on their own recog
nlzance , and that Captain Plnckney was a
the hotel at breakfast. In the like ab
stracted manner he replied to the one o
two questions of the deputy , exhibited th
pUtols he had brought with him , and final !
accompanied him to a little meadow hldde
by trees below the hotel , where the * othe
principal and hl4 seconds were awaltln
them. And , here he awoke ! -clear-eye *
ken , forceful , and intense !
So stimulated were hi * faculties that hi
sens : of hearing In Its ncuteness took In ever
word ot the conversation between the tec
ondi , a few paces distant. He heard h s ad
versary's second say carelessly to the deput
sheriff , "I presume this Is a casa where tber
will bo no apology or mediation. " and tb
deputy's reply , "I reckon my man mean
business , but he seems a llttlo queer. " H
heard the other second laugh and say lightly
"they're apt to be so when Its their first Urn
MAIC. OllDERS FILLRD ,
Our Boys-
What would we do without them we us we mean
for they are the life of our business They make us
friends they make us give them bargains and we always
cheerfully give up , We expect six very busy days this
week in our childrens' department some tempting prices
on some "taking" styles of suits for Boys Many dainty
patterns that we won't talk about here come and see them
Boys' junior suits in blue and black
tricot cloth , nobby , and dressy ,
ages 3 to 7 years. The suit
we've been selling for § 3.25
special price , . . . .
Elegant velvet and worsted reefer
suits , 3 to 7 years , regular re
tail price $4 to 5. They will
go at this sale for ,
Boys' Knee Pants , lOc.
The ft M. Cook Clothing Co ,
13th and Farnam ,
Omaha.
IGH PRICES IN DENTISTRY
'THING OFTHE PAST-
The finest work done now for about half
what It cost a few years ago.
DR. BAILEY ,
Of Dentistry in . . _
Ollicc , 3rd iloor , Pnxton. block. Tclopliono
1085. Lady attendant.
A Full Set of Teeth , $5
Fit ftuaranteod. Best set of tcoth , $7.50.
1 lexiblo clastic plato , S10. Palnlcsa extrac
tion , 50c. Gold and plated nillnfjs , $1. Silver
81. Pure gold , $2. Gold crowns , $6 to $8.
nnd Bridfjo teeth SO pot- tooth and attach
ment. Porcelain crowns 85. Richmond
crowns 810. One prlco to all. Courteous
treatment to all. The boat work , always.
out , " followed by the more anxious aside of
the other second , as the deputy turned away ,
"Yes , but I don't llko his looks ! " His seme
of sight was also BO acute that having lost
the choice of position when the coin was
tossed , nnd being turned with his face to the
tun , even through Its glare he saw with un
erring distinctness ot outline the black coated
figure of his opponent move Into range , saw
the perfect outline of his features , and how
the easy , supercilious smile as he threw away
his tlgar appeared to drop out of his face
with a kind ot vacant awe , ns he faced him.
Ho felt his nerves become as steel as the
counting began , nnd at the word "three"
knew ho had fired by the recoil of the pistol
In his levelled hand simultaneously with its
utterance. And nt the same moment , still
standing llko a rock , ho saw his adversary
miserably collapse , his legs grotesquely curv
ing Inward under him. without even the dig
nity of death In his fall , and so sink hev- !
lessly like a felled bull to the ground. Still
erect , and lowering only the. muzzle of his
pistol , as a thin feather of smoke curled up
Its shining side , he saw the doctor and seconds
ends run quickly to the heap , try to lift Its
limp Impotence Into shape , and let it drop
again with the words : "Right through the
forehead ! "
"Yon'vo done for him , " said the deputy
turning to Clarence with a singular look of
curiosity , "nnd I reckon you'd better get out
of this mighty quick 1 They didn't expect
U they're Just ragln' , they may round on
you and , " he added more slowly , "they seem
to have Just found out who you are ! "
nven while he was speaking , Clarence with
his quickened ears heard the words , "one of
Hamilton Brant's pups. Just like his father. "
from the group around the dead man. He did
not hesitate , but walked coolly toward them.
Yet a certain fierce pride which he had
never known before stirred In his veins , as
their voices bushed , and they half recoiled
before htm.
"Am I to understand from my second ,
gentlemen , " ho said , looking around the
group , "that you are not satisfied ? "
"The flght was square enough , " said
Pinckney's second In some embarrassment ,
"but I reckon that ho" pointing to the
dead man " did not know who you were ? "
"Do you mean that he did not know that I
was the son of a man proficient In the use of
arms ? "
"I reckon that's about It , " returned the
cccond , glancing at the others.
"I am glad to say , ajr , that I have a better
opinion ot his courage , " said Clarence , lifting
his hat to the dead body as he turned away.
Yet he was conscious of no remorse , con
cern , or even pity In his act. Perhaps this
was visible in his face , for the group appeared
awed by this perfection of the duelist's cool
ness , and even returned his formal parting
salutation with a vague and timid respect.
He thanked the deputy , regained the hotel ,
saddled his hone , and galloped away.
But not toward the rancho. Now that he
could think of his future , that had no place
In hla reflections ; oven the episode of Susy
wai forgotten In the new and strange con
ception of himself and his Irresponsibility
which had come upon him with the killing
of Plnckney and the words ot his second.
It was his dead father who had stiffened his
arm and directed the fatal shot ! It wai
the hereditary Influences which others had
been so quick to recognize that bad brought
ibcut this completing climax ot his trouble.
How else could ho account for it that he , a
conscientious , peaceful , sensitive man , tender
nnd forgiving as ho had believed himself to
be. could now feel so little sorrow or com
punction for his culminating act ? Ho had
road ot successful duelists who were haunted
by remorse for their flrst victim ; who re
tained a terrible consciousness ot the ap
pearance ot the dead man ; ha had no such
feeling ; he had only a grim contentment
In the wiped outInefficient life , and contempt
for the limp and helpless body. Ho sud
denly recalled the callousness as a boy , when
face to face with the victims of the Indian
massacre , his sense of fastidious super
ciliousness In the discovery of the body of
Susy's mother surely It was the cold blood
of his father Influencing him ever thus.
What had he to do with affection , with'
domestic happiness , with the ordinary am
bitions of man's life , whoso blood was
frozen nt the source ! Yet even with this
very thought came once more the old Incon
sistent tenderness ho had as a boy lavished
upon the almost unknown and fugitive father
who had forsaken his childish companionship ,
and remembered him only by secret gifts.
He remembered how he had worshipped him
even while the pious padres at San Jose
were endeavoring- eliminate this terrible
poison from his blood , and combat his
hereditary Instinct In his conflicts with his
schoolfellows. And It was. a part of this
Inconsistency that , riding away from the
scene of his flrst bloodshed , his eyes were
dimmed with moisture , not for the victim ,
but for the one being whom he believed had
Impelled him to the act.
This , and more , was in his mind during his
long ride to Fair Plains , his journey by
coach to Embascadero , his midnight passage
across the dark waters of the bay , and his
re-entrance to San Francisco but what
should bo his future was still unsettled.
As ho wound around the crest ot Hussion
Hill- and looked down again upon the
awakened city he was startled to see that It
was fluttering and streaming with bunting !
From every public building nnd hotel , from
the roofs of prtvntu houses , and oven the
windows of lonely dwellings , flapped nnd
waved the striped and starry banner. The
steady breath of the sea carried It out from ,
masts and yards of ships nt their wharves
from the battlements of the forts at Alcatraz
and Yerba Bucna. Ho remembered that the
ferrymen hod told him that news from Fort
Sumter had swept the city with a revulsion
of patriotic sentiment , and that there was no
doubt that the state was saved to the union.
Ho looked down upon It with haggard and
bewildered eyes and then a strange gasp
nnd fullness ot the throat ! For afar a
solitary bugle had blown the "reveille" at
Fort Alcatraz !
f
( To be continued. )
Not In Unit \Viiy.
Texas Sittings : "Yes , " said the lady lec
turer , "women have been wronged for ages.
They have suffered In a thousand ways. "
"There Is one way In which they never
suffered , " said a meek-looking man eland-
Ing up.
"What way Is that ? " demanded the lec
turer.
"They have never suffered In silence. "
And then the lecturer demonstrated be
yond a doubt that he was right , In her casa
at least.
Ulacourucml blioop Itniicliori.
Sheep ranchers In many parts of Oregon
and other northwestern regions are getting
discouraged over the decreasing value of
sheep and the Increasing value ot t/i
land , and at a recent meeting of ranchers ' * !
( n Oregon It was suggested that they should
drop sheep and go in for raising coyotes.
Coyotes scalps are worth JC each , whlla
sheep are worth anywhere from $2.50 down.
Then a ewe will raise only one or two lambs
In a season , but a coyote will easily raise a
family ot five or teven. The arlthmctto
and loglo of the matter are easy.
OATS
Save Dentists' Bills , Doctors' Bills and Butchers'
Bills by eating a bowl "of delicious QUAKER OATS
for breakfast. A pleasant economy.
Sold only In a Ib. Packige * .