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I ' .
; ,
, . . . 18 TIE O - r.IA : DAILY DEE : SUNDAY DEOEMBiT ? 23. 189.t.
. " 'CLARENCE.I I '
111 By Bret Harte.
I Author of "Tho Luck uf Uonrllg Cnml' , " ' .T\.o Men
. - ' " . or 8\11 , Hnr , " Ely ,
: ( CoJl'rghl 18" by the Author.\
, - -
.
" ' PAnT ii.-Chaptcr m.
Cnled to a general council of ofcer al
- ilvlslonal headquarter the next day , Branl
bad little tme : for further gplulaton regardIng -
. Inr his strange guest. hut a remark from
: the division commander thai he preferred to
commit the general plan of a movement then
under Itselson ! to ( the IMmorle rather than
to written orders In the ordinary routine ,
leemed to Dhow that his clef still sus-
plted the existence of a spy. lie therefore -
. fore told him of his late interview with Hiss
Faulkner and her probable withdrawal In
favor of a mulatto nelghuor. The dlvlon :
- commander reeeivell the information with In-
difference. "They're much too clever to
employ a hussy lute thai , who shows her
. hand at every turn-either as a spy or a messenger -
senger of ples-and the mulatoes are too
stupid , to say nothing of their Probable fidelity
1' to us. No , eaeral . If we are watched , I Is
' : by a eagle and nol n mocking brd. : Miss
. Faulkner has nothing worse about her than
. her tongue , and there Isn't the nhmer blood
In the whole south that would risk a noose
l
r for her or for any of their masters or mis-
; t " . tresses. "
( I was therefore , perhaps , with some mitigation -
gation of his usual , '
galen critical severity that he
BOW her walking before him alone In the lane
as ho rode liottie to . She
- hOle rluartcrs. was lP-
parenty lost In I half Impatient , hal moody
) reverie , which oven the trotting hoot boats
; of his own and his orderlr's horse had not
, dhsturbell. From time to time she struck the
' myrto hedge beside her with the head : of a
't , large fewer which hung by Its stalk Cram
her listless hands , or held It to her taco as
It to inhale Its perfume. Dismissing his orderly -
deny hy I side path , he rode gently for-
"wnrd , but to hlB surprise without turning
( I seeming to be aware at his presence , she
quickened her pace , antI even apppeared to
' , look from Bide to side for some avenue at
escapo. I only to end matters , he was
- obliged to ride quickly forward to her side ,
whore ho threw. himself from his horse
flung the reins 6n : his arm , and began to
walk beside her. She at first turned a
slightly flushed 'checll away from him and
then looked up with I purely simulated start
'of surprise. .
. "I am afraid , " he said gently , "that I am
j the frt to break my own orders In regard
to any intrusion on your prlmcy. But I
, , wanted to ask you J I could give you any
. aid whatever In the change you think of
. < . making. " He was quite sincere had been
I : touchell ( by her manifest disturbance , and
. ; despite his masculne relentlessness at criticism -
cism ho had nn intuition of feminIne suffering -
Ing that was In itself tcmlnlne.
"Meaning that you are In a hurry to got
t. ril at me , " she said curty , without raising
t her eyes.
: "Mcanlng that I only wish to expedite a
I business which I think Is unpleasant to
yon , but which I belevo you have under-
taken from unselfish devotion. "
. The scant expression ot a reserved na-
I ture Is sometimes more reservC women
.
.1 ' than the ( most fluent vivacity. Possibly
, there was also a melancholy grace In his
sardonic soldier's manner that affected her ,
: for she lolled up and said Impulsively :
"You think BO ? "
, But ho mel her eager eyes with some
- ! surprIse.
1 ; "I certainly do . " he replied more coldly.
; I "I can Imagine your feelings on finding your
unclo's home In he possession of your en-
- emIes , and your prcence under the family
roof only I sufferance. I can hardly believe
s _ . i a pleasure to you or I task you would
have accepted for yourself alone. "
' ; - "Dut , " she salt ] . turning from him wick-
, edly , "what It I did It only to excite my
revenge ; what It I knew I would give me
Courage to incite my people to carry the
War Into your own homes , to make you of
the north tell as I feel , and taste our bltter-
les 7"
( "I could easily understand that too . " he
c ' returned with listless coldness , "although I
don't admit that Is unmixed
revenge an pleas-
i ' ure , even to a woman. "
"A woman , " sue repeated indignantly ,
"thero Is no sex In a war like this. "
, . "You arc spoiling your flower . " he saId
. quietly. "It Is very pretty-aud a native one ,
too-not an Invader-nor , even transplanted
May I look at It ? "
- She hesitated , hal recclng for an Instant ,
I and her hand trcmblod. Then suddenly and
. . abruptly she said with a hysteric little laugh :
. c "TakG It-thln. " and almost thrust it. In his
lland , .t hl
' , i I ertalnly was a pretty flower . not unlike
a lily In . with
. Iy Ippenrance. I bell-like cup and
long anthers covered with a 1mb iioiiea like
lne
polel Ille
' red dust. As he lifted It to his taco to Inhale
I Its perfume she uttered a slight cry and
1 , : snatchEd I from his hanll.
! "Therc ! she said , with the same nervous
4 laugh. "I knew you wou d-I ought to have
! varncd you The ) pollen comes off so eally ,
and leaves a stain. And you've got some on
x ' g your check. Look . ! " she continued , taking
. cz. ; lice handllcrchlef ! from her pocleet and wipIng -
Ing his cheeck , "seo therel" The delicate
t
cambric showed a blood red streall.
4 "It grows lu a swamp , " She continued , In
the same excited Btraln. "We cal It dragon's
1 teeth-like the kind that was sown In the '
I story , you know. We children usell to find
i' I then anll paint our faces and Ills with
r 4t. Wo called It our rouge. I was almost
. tempted to try I again when I found It
- just now. I tool me back so to the old
times. "
tmes.
, Following her odd manner rather than
. , her words , as she turned her face toward
: ' ' him suddenly , Brant was inclined to think
, that she had trlc(1 It already , so scarlet was
. her choeck. Du It 1 presently paled again
' ! under his cold scrutiny.
"You must mbs the old times . " he said ,
cahn ! . "I am afraid you found very little
or them left , except In these flowers . "
"And hardly there , " she said blterl ) ' .
"Your troop had found a way through the
marsh and had tramlllN down the bushes "
I lhrant'a brow coudel ) . lie remembered that
the brook which hall run red during the
' fght lied lost itself In this marsh , I did
, - not Increase his liking for this beautiful but
t blindly vicious animal at his side , anti even
his momentary pity for her was fading away
Sect. She was Incorrigible. They walked
, . on for a few moments In aienco :
I . "You laid , " she began II last In a gentler
genter
and even hesitating voice , "lhat your wife
was a southern woman "
t Ito checked an irritated start with dim-
w cuity.
"I believe I did , " he said "
beleve dll coldly , a be re-
I greted it.
t "
"And ot course you taught your gospel-
, the gospel according to St. 1lncoln. 0 , I
. 'I know , " she went on hurrIedly , as I con- ' ,
sclous ot his Irrataton and seeking to allay
} . it. "Sho was a Woman and loved you , alay
thought with your thoughts and saw only
tz with YO'lr cyrs. Ycs-that's' the way with
! us-I suppOSO wo all do it , " she added bit-
tcr ! .
"Shl hall her own opinions " said Brant
I briefly , os he recovered himself
: Nevertheless. his manner 50 decidedly
closed all farther Itscuslon that there was
L
nothing let for the young girl but silence.
f 1ut I was broken by her In a few momenta '
In her old contemptuous voice and manner .
t "Pray Ion't trouble yourself to accompany lanner.
u 10 any further , Genursl Urant. Unless , of
coute , you are nfrll ; I lay coma across
, some of ) 'ol-yolr soittiers. I Iromlao you
! I won't cat them . "
; "I am afraid you must stiffer
lrlll lust sller lY company
a little longer Miss Jaulkner , on account of
those " same soht r " returned Urlnt gravely
"You ia ) ' not know that this road In which
. I find you takes you through a cordon of
, . lllekctl. I you were alone you would be
' stopped , questioned , and hlng to give the
) Ialof . you would be detained , lent 10
the guard house. nnd-O tie stopped and full
Jib " eyes on her keenly I 110 added , ,
"learcl1 d'
" \'ou would tot dare to search ' a " onani' ,
"omlnl"
.
she said \ indignantly , although . leer lull gav
Way to a slight iahlor. gVt
. . "You said just now that thern should be no e
' ' aeJ In a war like : this " returned Brunt care - I
heady gaze . , hut wlhut abatne his Irrutnlzlog
tne.
- "Then I ik I war , " Ihe sid quickly , with 1 ;
'wiiit , significant face.
His lool /crutoy turned to cue of pus
. glad 'wonder. hut It hue umo moment there
. was the h1.ala uC bayonet tn
' 1ub I : the hdge , I I
.
1\ l \ ' ; " _ rj " : . _ . . _ = - " - .
\ ' 1'0' .
' "
T : - i' ' ' ' .e
" - -
-
vOice called "halt , " and a soldier stepped Into
the road.
roal.
General Brant advanced , met the salute ot
the Picket , with a few formal worlls ant ? then
turned toward his fair companion , as another
Boller anti sergeant joined the group
"Miss Faulkner Is new to the camp , took
the wrong turning , and was unwittingly
leaving the lines when I joined , 1Ier. " lIe
fixed his eyca Intently on her now colorl"g
face , but she dill hot return his 10011. "You
wi show her the shortest w.v to quarters , "
ho continued , to the "
contnued sergeant , "and should
she nt any time again lose her way you will
again conduct her homebut without detaInIng -
wlhout letaln-
Ing or reporlng her "
Ho \ied his cap , remolntell his horse and
rode away , as the young girl , with I proud ,
indifferent step , moved down the road with
movc real wih
the sergcant. A mounted ofcer passel all
Ealnled him-It Was one of his own staff .
I'rol some strange instinct ho know that
he hall witnessed the scone , and from some
equally strangoiectuition ho was annoyed hy
II. Hut he continued his way , visiting one or
two outposts , and returned by a long detour -
) te-
tour to his quarterB. As ho stopped upon the
veranda he saw Miss Faulkner at upn bot-
torn of thee garden talking with some one
across the hEdge. By thb aid of his glasses
he could recognize the shapely figure at the
mulatto woman which ho hall Been bforo .
By its old he also discovered that sue was
carr'lng a fewer exactly like the one which
Miss F.iulkner still held In her hand. had she
been with Miss Faulkner In the laneamI I
10 , why hal she disappeared whcn hD came
Up ? Impelled by something stronger than I
cicero curiosity , lee walwl quickly down the j I
garden , but she evidently had noticed him , for
she as quickly dlsallpeared. Not caring to
meet MIss 1 .llkner again , ho retraced his
steps , resolving . that hC would on the first
opportunity personaly examine and Interrogate -
gate this new vlslto : . For I she were t take
Miss I'nulknEr's 1)laceevcn In I subordinate
capacity-this precaution was clearly within
, his rIghts.
lIe re-enterCI h'B room , and seated hImself ! -
self at his desk before the dispatches , order
and reports .waiing helm lie found him-
self , however , working half mechanicaly
and recurring to his late interview with
Miss aulkner In the lane. I she had any
inclination to act the spy , or to use her
POSItIOn hero as a means of cormunlc3ton
with theo cnemy's lines , he thought he had
thoroughly frightened hcr. ' Nevertheless
now , for the first tune , ho was inclined to
-
looked by the spy. There were one or two
freckles or red on the desk , which made
this accident appear the more prbable. Dut
ho was . equaly struck by another circum-
stance. The desk stood ImmedIately before
the window As he glanced mechanically
from It ho was surprIsed to SM that I com-
mlndell an oxtenslvo view or the slope below
the eminence on which the house stood , even ,
beyond his furthest line of pickets. The
vase of fowers-ach ot which was nearly
as large n' I neagieohia blasc.tcni , and striking
In cOlor-ccnpled I central position before
it , nail no doubt could b quite distinctly
seen from I dlBtanco. Of that ho would satisfy -
Ify himself hereafter. nut for the present
he cull not resist the strong Impression
that this fateful and extraordinary blossom
carried by Miss Faulkner and the mulatto ,
and so strikingly "In evidence" at the win-
low , was In some way I signal Obeying
an impulse whIch ho was conscious had a
half superstitious foundation , ho carefully
lifted the vase from Its positon before the
window all placed It en I side table. Then
he cautiously shipped from the room.
But ho could not easily shake oft the per-
lleXitY which the occurrenCe hat caused , although -
though he was satisfied that It was fraught
with no military or strategic danger to his
command , and that the unknown spy ! leach
obtained no InformaUon whatever. nut ht
was forced to admit to himself that he was
more concerned In his atcml1ts to justify theo
conduct of Miss aulkncr with this later reve-
lation. I was quite possible that thee dispatch
box had been IJrlolneil bysoene one else dur-
lag her absence tram the house-as the presence -
once of the mulatto servant In his , room would
woul
have been less suspicious than leers. There
was really little evldencc II connect Miss
Faulkner wih the actual outrage - rather ,
might not the real spy have taken advantage I
ot her visit lure to throw Buspclon : upon her ?
lie remembered her singular manner-tho
strange InsIstency with which she hal forced
this flower upon him. She would hardly have
lone so had she been conscious of It having
so serious nn import Yet what was
the secret ot leer malfCst agla-
I (10cc ( ? A sudden
ton suddCn inspiration flashed
across hIs mind ; a smile calico upon Ills lips.
She was In love ! The cnemy's line contained
some sighing young subaltern with whol
she was In communication-and for whom she
had undertaken this quest. Th fewer was
their language of corrcsiondence no doubt
I explained ale the young girl's animosIty
against thee younger omcers-hls adversaries ;
against himsel-their commander. Ih had
Irevlously wondered why , If she were Indeed
a spy , she had not chosen upon some equally
specious order from Washington , thee headquarters -
quarters of the division commander , whose
secrets were moro valuable. This was explained -
plained by the tact that she was nearer the
hines all her lover In her present abode. lie
had no Ilea that ho was making excuses for
leer ; he believed himself only just. Tine rec-
olecton of what sue hall said of the power
ot love , albeit It had hurt him cruelly at the :
time , was now clearer to him , and even
. ii\ k
C. -
-s #
' . -
,
; . , ? (
e'
TUC SINGULAR LOOKINGINDIVIDUAL.
accept his chlets opinion of her. She was
not cnly too clumsy and inexperienced , but
s he totaly lacked the self-restraint of I spy.
ler nervous agitation In the lane was due
to something more disturbing than hb mere
posslblo Intrusion ppon her confidences with
the mulatto. JpGn
On thee contrary , II seemed to be personal
to 'hlmselt. ' He recalled the singular sg- !
nlfcanc of her questions. "Then It 13 war ? "
Ho recalled her strange allusion to his wife :
was It merely thee outcome at his own fool-
Ish I confession on theIr first jntorview ) . or
was It I concealed Ironical taunt ? having
satsOed hmsel ! that alec was not likely to
ImperI i hIs publIc duty In any way , he
was angry with himself for speculating fur-
t iter . But although he still felt toward her
theo same . antagonism ahie _ had at first pro-
voIced , he was conscious that she was be
ginning to exercise a strange fascination on
him
Dismissing ; her at last with an effort , be
uinisheod his work ant thou rose , and unlock-
Ing a closet took out a email dispatch box
to which ho intended to Intrust I few 10re
important orders ' and mcmoranda. As he
opened . It. with a key on his watch chain ho
was struck with a faint perfume that seemed
to cmo from it-a perfume that bo rcmem-
bered Was It thee smell of the fewer that
Miss Faulkner carrled-r the scent of the
handkerchlet wih which she had wiped his
cheek-r a mingling of both ? Or was he
under Bore diabolical spell ot that wretched
girl-and her wlchlko fewer ? He leaned
on the box and .suddenly slarted. Upon the ,
outer covering of a dispatch was a singular
blood-red streak ! H" examined I closoly-
I was thee powdery stain of thC lily pollen-
exactly as he had seen It on her handker-
chief.
There could bo no mistake He passed his
finger over lice stain-he could still feel the
slilpery , Impalpable powder at the pollen.
I was not there when he had closed the
box that morning. I was impossible thlt
It should bn there unless the box had been
oponell In his absence . lIe re-examined the
contents ot the box. The papers were all
tleore More than that-thcy were papers of
ceo Importance except to him personally ;
contained no plans nor key to any military
secret. lie had bean far too wise to Intrust
any to thee accidents of this alien house.
Thee prying Ittruder , whoever It was , had
gaiceed nothlngl But there was unmistakably -
bly thee attempt ! And thee 'exlstenco of a
woull.bo spy wihin then purleus of the
house was equaly clelr _
lie alell ten omcer from thee next room.
"las an ) ono becn hero since my absence ? "
"No , general. "
"Jiets any one passed through the hal ? "
lie had fuly Intclpated th3 answer , as
the ubalerl replied : "Only the woman
servants. "
lie re-cntercd his room. Closing thee door ,
ho again carefully examined thee box , his I ,
table , thee halters upon It , thee chair before !
I , and even thee Chinese mattng on the '
fcor , for ' any turther indication at the pollen .
I hardly seemed possible that any one could :
have entered thee reel with thee flower In
his or her hand wihout scattering some at I
thee telalo lust lsewhere ; It was tOI large
a lower to Ill worn on the breast or In the
hair Again , no one would heave dared to In- .
gcr theorem long cnough to have made an ox-
amlnaton or the box-with an eneer In the I
next reel and servants ieaesieeg The box ,
had been removcd And the oxamlnaton mndo
elsewhere IAn I
An Idea seized helece. Miss Faulkner was
still absent-the mulato hall apparently gone
boeeee . lie quickly mounted the staircase ,
but . hlBtcal1 or catering hei . roone , turned
suddenly Into lice wing which had
ben reserved . The fut door yielded
as ho turned thee knob gcnty ,
am } he entered a room which lee lt once recognized -
ognized as the " ) ounj lady's boudoir , " Hut
tdlisty , ntl draped furnIture had been
nrrhl ge'lanuncorred , and the apartment
had every sign of present use Yet , although '
thtre was every evIdence at its being used by
1 I'enon of taste and relnement , he wal surprised -
prlse to lee that the garments hanging In
the 01dm Ilress wee such as were used by
negro servants , and heat I gaudy handkerchief -
chief , such as houlemalds used for turbans ,
Wa lying on lice pretty sIlken coverlet le C
dId not linger over these details , but cast a
rapid glance around the loom. Then his I
eye became fixed on a fanciful writing desk
which stood by the window. For In a handsome -
some vase Illaced 0Is level I top and drOOIlng ;
0/
on r porUoio below hung a cluster of the
iled stran& fowers tbat Mia Faulkner had car-
PART 11.-ChAPTER .V ,
I Roemed , lain to Dryant that the dispatch
box bad been cvcyet here and opened for
security on this desk , anti 11 the burry of '
examining thee papers tbe flower bad been ' '
Srted , and the Ppers tulen grllua ot pollen _ o ! - , I'
-
- ' - _ re
.
seemed to mitIgate her olense , She would I
bl hero but a day or two longer ; ho could I
afford to wait wihout Interrogating her.
Dut as to the real I'atruder-Bpy ' or Uilef- '
thatwa anothernfalr and quickly. , setted. lie
gave an order to the oncer of the day po-
emptorly forbidding the tntranco of Ilen e
servants or shaves within the , pr.clncts ot the
hcadquartcrs. Any one thus trespassing (
to te brough before him. The olcer looked
sterpriseel-him Even fan l d disappointed. The '
graces of the mulatto woman's fgure had I I
evidently not been thrown away upon his
subahterns.
An hour or two later , when he was mountIng -
Ing his horse for n round of inspection . he
was surprised to see Miss Faulkner , accom-
panLed by the mulatto woman running hur-
rlodly to thee house. Ho had forgotten his
late order until ho saw the later haled by
theo sentries , bu ho young girl came fying ;
eec regarmess or tier companIon. ler Bldrt
was caught In one hand , her straw hat had
fallen back In her flight , and was caught
only by a ribbon around her swelling throat ,
leer loosened hair lay In , a black rippled loop
on one shoulder. For an Instant Bract
thought that she was seeking him In Indlgnn-
ton at his order. but a second look at leer
face , eager eyes and parted scarlet lips .
showed him that she had not even noticed
him In the conccntraton at leer purpose.
She swept by him Into the hal : ho heard
the swish ( t her skIrt and rapid feet on the
stairs ; she was gono. What had happenetl-
or was this another at her moods.
But ho was called to himself by the ap-
parlton of a corporal standing before him
with a mulatto woman-the first capture
under his order. She was tal , well formed ,
but unmistakably showing the negro type '
even In her small features. Her black eyes
were excited , but unintelligent , her manner
dogged , but with thee obstinacy of half-con-
scious stupidiy. Drant felt not only dis-
appointed , but had a singular Impression
that she was not the saro woman that , lea
had first seen. Yet there was the tall , graceful -
ful figure , the dark profile . and ice turbancd
head that ho had once followed down the
tc
passage by his room.
Her story was al stupidly Ilmple. She
had known "mlssy" from a chlel She had
just trapsed over t see her that afternoon ;
they were walking together when theo sogers
stopped ieee' She had never been stopped before -
fore , even by "patter rollers. " . Her ole
massa ( Manly ) had Ib ! leaf to go see Miss
JCSIY , and hadn't sad ! ceoflin' about no
"orders. "
More nnnoyed than ho cared to confess ,
Drant briefly dlsmlsesd her , wih a warning.
As lee cantered down thee slope thee view 01
the distant pickets recalled thee window In
the , \ lng , and ho turned In his saddle to look
lt it. There It was-the largest and most
dominant window \ In that pnt ot the beellil-
lag-and within It a distinct tend vivid ob-
ject , almost flng the opening was the vase
of flowers which lee held a few hours ago removed -
moved , restored to its original position. Ho
smiled . Thee hurried entrance and constcrna-
ton of MIss aulkner was now fully cx-
plalnod. lie -Interrupted some IrpaB-
shooed melsage , perhaps even countcrrand d
some affectionate iendezvou boyoOI the
hines. And It sette ! ' tlee.tacthiat : It was she
who had done thee signeeUeeg . But would not
this also make her cognizant of lIce taking of
the dispatch box ? I : retcctld , however ,
that the rom , was appatelly ! occupied by
thee mulatto woman : lee remembere(1 the cal-
leo dresses and turhall on tlB bed : and It
was possible that Miss Faulkner had only
visited It for lice purpo/f .Qt. signaling to her
hover But the circuzeistance did 10t tend to
cooke bs ! mind eem1cY. ' -.ht-waa , however ,
jrusenty diverted by an un looke-tor Inci- .
Aa lee rode through the camp 1 group of
officers congregated belol' a. large / mess tent
appeared to b highly amus ely the conver-
saton-hal monologue and hai haringue
of a singular looking Individual who stood
,
In the center , Ho wore I "slouch" hat , to
thee band of which he had Imparted a cciii-
tary air by the addition of a gold cord , ml-
the brim was caught \P at . limo Bide In a
peculiarly theatrical and highly artificial
fashion. A heavy. cavalry ubro depended
from a brad buckle belt under Ida black
frock coat , with the addltol at two revolvers -
volvers , mlnu tbeIr polqtet stuck on either
! eiher
side of the bucl ( after . the style of stage
smugglers. A 1111 Dt long , enameled leather
riding bOtl , with the tops turned deeply
over , as if they had on done
al I once duty for the I
representatye of a cavalier , completed Ida
extraordinary equipment Thee group , wae C
Iroup wa
10 absorbed In him that they did not per-
ceh'o the approach 9f their . chief and hits C
orderly . and Brent , with 'slgr to the later , ,
haled only a few paces tram this central
figure , ILls speech was a singular minglng ;
of leigh-flown and exalted .
hIgh-fown exaled tpitleets tend In-
, , -
- I -i' [ .
-I. c. , ptrolsa cllc home guard In the
south that kept Brvlllnet DZ , alana. .
- -
' ' - - - - -
- -
exact pronunciaton , with occasional lapses
of western slang '
"Welt , I ain't' purtendln' to anT stratuteg.
teal smartnss , and I didn't grado03to at'e
Wesl Point as ono ot these Apocryphal en-
glneers I don't go musIc taikin' about
'flank' movements or 'recognizances In force , '
or 'I helen skirmish , but when It comes
clown to square Inln flghtite' I reckon I kin
leave . '
my cay There cite mon who llon't
know any army contractor , " ho added
darkly ) , "who mebbe have heard ot 'HM
.11cc. ' I on't mention names , gentlemen ,
but only the other day a man you all know
says to me , 'It I only knew what you llo
about seoutn" I wouldn't be wanting for
Information cc I do ' I ain't goln' to ! who
I was , or break any confideeeco between gen-
temen , by . : ; nlng ; how many stars he had
on hIs Bhq"'iqr ' strap , but ho was a man
who knewlylt ! ! ho was saying. And I say
agln , genti 'tee u , that thc curse ot the north-
era army , 1st thee want of propEr scometln' ,
What was It caused Hull's lteen-wamet 0'
scoutin' . ) \hi11 was I rolled up l'opo-w'tieet
0' scoeetin . ' ' \ hat killed Baller at lhall's
hhieeif-wat 'q ! scoutin' , What caused limO
slauhter aethqWtlderneas-waemt : 0' scoectlee' .
Injln acoeetin'.d Why , only the other day ,
gentemen , I \as approached to know what
lel talon t t organIze a scotettei' force . And
what did , say ? 'No , general , It aln'l he-
ouso I renresqnt one of the largest amlY
beer contraQts I this country , ' says I , 'It
ain't bocaqo \ I belong , BD to peall , to the
"slnows of va" but because I'd want obout
10,000 trnhled nJuns , from the reservations I
An the regillarj West Point , high toned , scl-
cntfe lullybus , that weighs so heaviy on
our army doat see it-antI won't have It I'
Then Shermanl he sea to me- "
But hero" a jonr of laughter Interrulltel\ \
him , and In a crossfire cf sarcastic Interro-
gatlons that begn , Brant saw with relict a
chnnc to escalee. For In the voice , manner ,
and , above all , the characteristIc tempera-
meat of the stranger , lee hall recognized his
old Playmate aced thee .husbanl ) ot Sls-the
redoubtable Jim Hookerl ! There was no mis-
taltlng that gloomy audacity-that mysterlou
signiflcance-tlcat magnicent lying. But
even lt llt momellt Clarence Brant's heart
had gone out , with all his old loyalty of feelIng -
log , toward his old companion. le knew
that a pUhlc recognition of him then and
there wouhl Illungo Hooker Into confu-
slon ; he felt keenly the Ironical plaudits
anti laughter cf his ofccrs over the manifest
wealmess and vanity of the cx-teamster , ex-
rancher , ex-actor and husbanll at hIs girl
swectheart , all would heave spared him the
knowledge that he had overheard it. Turn-
Ing hasty to thb orderly , hc bade him bring
the stranger to his headquarters and rode
away unperceived.
lie had hef1 enough , however , to account
for his presence there and thee singular
chance that had brought them again to-
gether. Ito was evidently one at thee large
civil contractcrs ( t supplIes whom tie government -
ernmcnt was obliged to employ , who visited
the camp , half officially , and whom the army
alternately depended upon and abused. Brant
had deal with his underlings In the commis-
saiat , auI even now remembered that he
had heard lice . was coming , but had over-
hooked the significance of his name But how
he canoe to leave hIs theatrical profeslon ,
how he had attained a position which Im-
plied a commaO of consIderable capital- .
for many at thee contractors had already .
amassed large orlunes-and what had become - :
como of Susy and her ambItions In this radical -
cal change of cIrcumstances were C
things to be learnell. In his own e
changed conditions he had seldom C
thought at her ; It was with a strange teelng ;
ot irritatIon and hal responsibility that he
now recalled his last Interview with her and i
the emotiOn to which he hal succumbed
Ho had not long to walt. He had scarcely
regained the quarters at hIs own Private C
office before ho heard the step ot the orderly
upon the veranda and the trailing clank or' r '
hooker's saicre lie did not know , however ,
that hooker , without recognizing his name ,
had receive the message as a personal tribute -
ute , and hd loft his sarcastic corpanlons
triumphanty , wih the air at a man going
to a confidential Interview to which his wel
known military connection had entitled 1dm
I , was wih a boarlng ct gloomy Importnnce
and his characteristIc sullen , sidelong glance ;
that he cntered tic apartment , and he dId
not bole up until Drant had sIgnaled the
:
crderly to wihraw and coed the door
behind leiqi. ; And then be recognized his
old boyIsh compllon-th : pr.fessed , ; rltu I
!
of fortune
For a moment , he gasped with astonish-
ment. Fog II moment gloomy IncredulIty " ,
suspicion , delighet . pride , admiration , even af-
teetlon . struggled for mastery In' his sullen , ,
staring eye l ld open , twitching moutle ,
For here wa Clarence Brant , handsomer
wa
than ever ( snore superior than ever In the
majesty or'unlform and autleority-which fitted -
tel Illn , th yhunger man-through bls. tour
yunger
years at l'tve service with the careless
case and ' bearing at I veteran. Here was e
tide hero \lrose name was already 20 tlmons
that the nThr coincidence of It with that
of the moclbstctviPan ! . . he had known . would
leave strucK acm lS preposterous. 1 et ncre
he was , supreme and dazzling , surrounded
by the pomp And clrcuc.stance ( at var . Into
whose reservd presence lee . Jim hooker ,
had been uSleled with the formaly at challenge -
lenge , salutng"rnd " presented bayonets !
Luckily Bract hal ) taken advantage of his
first gratified ejaculation to shako him
warmly by the hand , and then , with bathe
hands laid famiarly on his shoulder , force
him down Into'a chdlr. Luckily , for by that
time Jim Hooker had wIth characteristc
gloominess found time to taste the pangs
at cnv-an envy the more leeen since In
spite at his success as a peaceful contractor
he had always secretly longed for milItary )
display 111 disttneton. : Ho looked at the
man who had : achieved it , as he frmly be-
leved , by sheer luck and accident , and his
eyes deerleened . Then , wih characteristic
weakness and yanity. he began to resist his
first impressions at Clarence's superiority and
to air his own Importance Io leaned
'
'hcavly back In lice chair Into which he had
been thus genially forced , drew oft his gaunt-
let. and attEmpted to thrust It through his
belt , as he had seen Brant do , but failed
on Iccount at hIs pistols already occupying
that position , dropped I , got his sword be-
tween his legs In attempting to pick It up ,
and then leaned back again , wih hal-closed
eyes , , serenely indiIf.ereict to his old com-
panion' smiing , face
"I reckon , " ho began slowly , wih a
slghty patronizing air , "that we'd leave met
sooner or later lt 'Vashlngton or at Ornt's
heaelqtearters for Hooker , Jleacham & Co.
go ever ) 'wleere , and are about as well ImGwn
as luJor.Olnerals , to ' say nothln' , " lee wcnt
on , with a sidelong glance at Drant's shoul-
Iler straps , "ot Urlgndlers ; and I'l rather
strange-only , ot course , you'ro lelnd at fresh
In thee servicethat you ain't heard ot me
atore
,
"But I'm very glad to hear of yon now ,
Jim , " saId Brant , smiling , "and from your
own lips , which I am also delghted ! to find , "
ho added mischievously , "are stl as frankly
communicatve on that topic al , ot old . But
I congratulate you , old tel ow , on your goo
tortun When' did you leave thee stage ? "
)
Mr. hooker trowned ahigietly. "I neyer was
really al the stage , you Imow , " ho said
waving hil hand with assumed negligence-
"only went on to please my wife heirs.
Ilooker wouldn't act wih vulgar professionals -
ale , don't you sea ? I was rely manlgcr
most ot the time , and lessee of the theatcr.
Went eat when the war broke out to offer i
my sword Ind knowledge ot Injun figletin' !
to Uncle Sam. Drle Into a big Pork coed-
tact It st. Louis . wih Fremont Been at
It ever since. Offered a commission In the
reglar service lots 0' times . Refused "
" " 'hyT" ? asked Braut , demurely
"Too much West Point starch around to
sul me , " r turned Hooker darkly. "J\nd too
sui
" I
sunny spies.
"Spies ? " ec'hoed Drant , abstractedly , with
a momcntary remlnlscenco at Miss I aullo
ner
nor."Yes , spies , " contInued Hooker , with dog-
god mystery ' "Onq half at Walhlngton la
watching t'4ther bait , and from the presl-
lent's ! 1qwci. .most at the women Is
seccshl"F !
Urant sUd4ellY fIxed lilac keen eyes on his
guost. Hut the next moment he relected
that I was cody Jim Hooker'l usual Bpeeh
and PU0SCdHnO uleror aignitlcacece. lie
Iml6 again and sale ? more gently :
"And howq"llr hooker
Mr. Holer IxC hb eyes Dn the ceIling ,
rose , IJretenlo' , to look out at the window :
then taking' ' lets seat again by the table , U
It fronting lni ImagInary audience , and hulling -
Ing slowly It ' ! s gauntlets , after the usual
said theatrical : 11leaton t .J of perfect sangfroid ,
"There ai' , semey . " "
"Good boaven ! " ! " said Irant wih genuine
emotion . "I \eg your pardon-really I- "
"Mrs. Uo"kur and inc are dh'orcc " on-
tnued licker , slightly changing his altitude
and leaulnb hcvU ) on hla IAbre , with his
eyes still OD his ' fanciful audience . "There
- - - - -
was-you understand ' , " lightly tossing his
g 31nlet aelehe-"lnconmpatibility of lemporl-
Inll-woparted. Hal" ho lettered 1 low ,
. bater i , sCornful laugh , which , however , pro-
.ducel ) the distnct impression In Brant's
mind m that np to that moment lee hal never
ever had the slightest feeling In thee mater what-
"Tote scme1 to b on Buch good terms
with each other " lurmurell ! \auel ) ' .
"Seceneehl" said hooker bitterly , glancing
sUllonlcal ) at an ideal second row In thee
pit before hll-"YM , seemNt ! There were-
ther difference-s-social and I.oltcal. You
umlorstal11 that-yon leave suffered , too . "
lie reched out his hand steel pressell Brant'l
In heavy eficesiveness. "But , " ho continued ,
haughty , lightly tossing hIs glove again ,
"Wa are also men of the world-we let that ,
lass ! " Aced It was POssible that he faceted
lIce strnln at hIs l.resCnt ntttude too great ,
for ho changed to nn easier posltioee.
" ! ut , " snfl ! Brant , curiously , "I always
thonfht that heIrs . Hooker was Intensely
union and northern. "
"Put on ! " sold hooker , In his natural
voic. .
"But you remember thee Incident of the
flag ? " persisted firamet .
"Mrs. Broker was always an actress "
sid Hooker aigcelflcantly. "Dut , " he added
cheerfully , "Mrs. hooker Is nol the wfC :
at Senator Jornpolnter , one at the wealthiest
.ml most powerful republcans Washlng- - I
ton-arrlE8 thee patronage of the whole west
In his vet pocketl"
"Vet If she Is not a releeebhicaee-why did I
eleo"-began Drant I
"I o. n Illrpose , " responded Hooker , darkly.
"Uut , " he nliell agaIn with greater cheer- ,
fUII'IS , "sho belonl. tf the very elite of
Washington Boclet ) . hoes to alt the foreign
am assadors' balls , and Is a power at the
whlo 'house. her Icture : Is In cell the first-
cass Ihutratel1 pnl.crs. "
'he singular beet unmlstakablo pride of Lice
man In the ImlKrtance at the wlfo from
whom he was divorced , aced for whom he
diet not care , would leave offended Brants
delicacy , or at least heave excited his rll-
cole but - fo thee reason that he was more
deeply stung by Hooker's allusion to his
own wife antI his degrading similitude
at their two coeeditioiea. Jut he dismissed
the former as Inrt ; of Hooker's invincible -
vincible and still boyish xtravngace , cecil
the hatter as a part bf his '
laler lS equally character-
Istc assumption. Perhaps ho was conscious ,
too , notwihstaltni thc lapse ot years and
the condonaton at separation and fcrget-
fulness , that he doser'cil little delcacy from
the hands of Susy's husband.
Nevertheless he dreaded to hcar him speak
again. of her. And thee fear was realized In
a que-otion.
"Docs she know I "
you ere leere ?
"Who ? " said Brant curtly .
"Your wife. That Is-I rccllon sho's your
wIfe still , eh 7"
"I do net know that she knows . " returned
Brant quietly. He had regained his self-
composure ,
"Sus ' -Irs. Senator Dornpolnter thai Is"-
he seemed to feel a certain dIgnity In his
late wife's new title , "allowed that she'd
gone abroad on a secret mission train the
Southern Confederacy to them crowned heads
over there She was good at ropl , ' men In ,
you know. An"ho\\ Susy-afore she was
Mrs. Ihornpointer-was dead Bet on fleedin'
out where sht was-but never could. She
seemed to drop out at sight a year ago , Some
said one thing and some said another. But
you can bet your bottom dollar that heirs.
Senator floreepolnter who knows how to pul
one all thee does wires " Washington , will know I any
"Dut Is Mrs. Dorpolnter really dIsaffected
and n souther Bympathlzer ? " said Brant ,
"or Is It only caprice or fashIon ? " Whlo
speaking he had risen with a hat-abstrnctet
face and had gone to the window , where
lee stood In a loitering attitude. Presenty
ho opened the window and stepped outside
hooker wonderingly followed him. One or
two ofcers heat I ? already stepped out of thclr
rooms and were standing upon the veranda :
another had halted In the path. Then ono
quickly re-entered the house reappeared
wth : his cap and sword In his hand and ran
lightly toward the guard house. A slght
cmclclng noise seemed to come from beyond
thee garden wall.
farien
'Vhal's up ? " said Hooker , wIth starIng
eye . .
"Picket firing. "
The crackling suddenly became a long rat-
tie. Brant re-entere thc room , and picked
up hIs hat. " , I ,
"Yote'il for , few . "
"Yu'l excuse me a moments.
A holow sound shcok the house.
'Vhat's that ? " gasped Hooker.
"Cnnoa. "
( ( be continued. )
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THI EXTRACT 0' THI DRAIN 0' THC OX ,
PREPARED UNDIR THE 'ORMUL 0 ,
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IN HlO L\BDRATDRY AT WASHINGTON , D. c.
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