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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 30, 1894)
: _ _ , . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . . 10 TUB Ol\AIIA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , DEOEMBER ao 18.t. ! . I CLARI-NCE : I By Beet Harte. . Allthor or llIIin I.nct ff Jonrlnl CI\np , " Two .tcn : . fr ! Rndy Iir , " " :11. : ( Copytlght. J I. by the , uthor. ) r I- , PAnT It-C1IA11EIt V. tn another Instant bugles were ringing thronrh the camp , with the hurrying mass ot mountell ofcers and the tramping at forming mrn. The house Itself was almost Iteserted. Alhollgh that tlngo : cnnnon shot hall been creat l to provo that It was no mere skirmihing ot pickets . Irant still ' did not believe In any serious attack ot the enemy. 11s position , as In the previous engaroment , had no sttateglc Importance to ; them. They were , no doubt only making a feInt against his position to conceal some ndvapce upon the center ot the army a mile : or two away SatisfIed ' that ho was In easy supporting 11stanc . of the division commander - I mender , he extendell ( his lines along the ! ridge ready to tail back In that 111recton , while retardIng tim alh'ance and masking . the hIs chlct lie ' few : ; movcments of 10 gave n orderl necessary to the Irobable , , ahandon- , lent ot the house and then returnell to I , : Shot and shell were already dropping In the . - . field helow. A thin ridge ot blue haze sheared the line of skirmish flre. A Rmal conical white clond like n bursting : colon pod reveolell nn opend battery In the wl- 10w-trlngOl meadow. Yet the pastoral Ileace- tulneRs of the house was unchanged. The afternoon sun lay softly on Its deep vel- nnllas ; th , Ilot ) Ilonrrl Incense ot fallen rose . , , leaves haunted I sll lie entered his room through the French I window In the veranda when the door lead- big from the passage was suddenly flung open and Miss Faulkner SWElt quickly In- side cloed Limo door behInd tier ! and leaned less back heavIly agaInst It-pantn/ breath- Clarence was started , and for I moment shamed He suddenly realIzed that In the excitement he halt entirely forgotten her and the dangers to which she might he eXllsed. ' Site had Ilrohahly heard the firIng. her , womanly fears h:11 : been awakened ; she had L come to him for protection. lint as he I turned toward her with I reassurIng smile he was shocked to see that he agitation and paler were far beyond any IJhyslcat fear. She motlomd him desperately to shut the window ( hy whIch ho had enterell and said with white lips : "I ' must speak with you alone ! " "CertaInly. . Out there Is no Immediate - danger to you eveu here and I can soon . 1)ut you beyond the reach of any possIble harm. " "Harm-to mel ! God ! I It were only - " thaU" , He ' stared at her uneasily. " 1.lsten , " she said , gaslllng , "listen to me ! Then hate dCplsekl me I you will. For you are betrayed alu1 ruined-cut alt and surroundd ! I has been helped on by me . but I swear to you that the blow dId not L come from my hand ! I would have saved you. cloti knows how It happened-It was late ! " : In an Instant Brant saw Its truth Instinct- Iveby and cirarly , lint with the revelation came that wonderful calmness anti perfect seif-poseessian which had never yet failed him In any emergency. With the sound of the increasing cannonade the ) iIftIng position - tion mnatbe clearer to his ears , th view of , lila whole threatened position spread out like ' map befrr" his eyes , time swift calculation of the limmie his men could hold the ridge 1' in bile miiid-oven the hurried estimate of the precious moments ho could give to the wretched woman before him-all this lie was keenly alive to as he gravely , even gently. led her to a chair and said In a critical and level voice : 'Tliis Is imot enough ! Speak slowly , plainly. t I niUst know everything. how and in what way have you betrayed moo ? " She looked at. him Iinplqrlngiy-reassured , : , 3et awed by his geitlenet. 'You ron't be- : llevo me ! You cannotboIlevo mel But I do not even know ; I have taken and cxcbanged ' : letters whose contents I never saw-between , the confederates amd : a spy who caNoes to this . houe-hut who Is far away by this time. I , did IL because I thought. you hated and ( le- , . , spiced tue. because I thought It was my duty to help my cause. because you saId It was , I 'war' between us ; but I have not spied on . you. I swear it ! " "Titan how (10 you know of this attack ? " ho sold. calmly. Site brightened , half timidly , half hope- fully. 'TIiere is a window in tlio wing of this 1ioue that overlooks the siop micar the . confederate lines. There was a signal rilaced In it-not by moe-but I know it Ineart that 08 ion as Itwas there the plot. whatever It was , was not ripe , and that no attack would be , made on you as long as it was vitible. 7' ttntlc1f liknow ; that much the spy had : ' e1i ole , for we both 1(0(1 ( ( to guard that ' turns , I wanted to keep ths ! dread. . _ : : ' - 4U . - - - - tax MUST 2PIPLK WITH YOU ALONg ! " . tul thing off un II-unt , " her voice trembled -'utfl , " she added -"unti addel. hurriedly seeing hIs cain eyes were readhllt her very soul , "until ' I went away amt tor that ittirite I witlihelti IHlrlD wihheld ' Bore ot the letters that were given mime . But this morning , while I \\\S away trom the ' I looked hack hOUSl' and saw that time signal was no longer thore. Seine one had changed I I. I ran back but I was too late , God help mo , lS you see ! " Time truth hashed upon Brent I was his - . ' own hanll that halt Ireclllalod the attack ! But ( larger truth cme to hIm now , like a I dazzling hlslliraton. I ho hall thus pro- ' . clliated the attack before It was ripe there was a chance that I was hnlJerfect. anti there was ' still hOlle. lint there wal'sll Ilt was 10 trace of this visible II his 'taco ' as he fixed his eyO calittly on hers , although his pUlses were halll II expectancy . as he lull : 1'llon the spy has suspected you anti , chsnlNd It. " "Oh . nol" ! she said eagerly "tor the spy 0 was with 10 nut ! was tr//htenel. / too. Wo both ran back together-'ou rememher-sho was ItOIIIl1 by the lalrol ! " Rho checkoJ herself suddenly . but too late. I Ih'r cheeks blazed , her head sank-wih the foolish 11s- closure Into which her eagerness had bo- trarel bce Uut Drant appeared not to lotce ! It. Ito was , In fact , juggling Ida brain to conceive what information the stupid mulatto could bavo obtlnel ! ber . She must have been , lke the ) tremblhll. PiPr ' /ust Ifn . . , 10. - . . _ m _ . . . . . . - . - . . I moore tool ot , otiiers.u- . . . , "D'I this WOman live hero ? " ho . ' ' 'No. ' she said . "Sho hiyeti with the 1lanlys. but had friends whom she visited at , . your gtnorai'a headqulrter. " sho'Islod With dllculty Urant suppressed a start I Was dear to him ! now . Tile iii'tormathn I In'format . bad been obtained at the division heatiquar. : ten mid passed lila healquar- Jused thrugh camp us being nearest thin confederate lines. Dut what was the informnatleim . and what movement hall bo precipitated 7 I was cloJr that this woman did not know Ito looked at her koaly . A sudden explosion shook the house ' a drift of smoke Passed the window-a shell fl hud burst In the garden shel She bad leen gazing at him lll despairingly avlsIuihy. ! but hln , vlsfuly she did not blanch or start , - ' An idea tool possession of hint lie ap. 10 lp. preached hcr and took her cell hand . A bai smile Ilatll her pale lips. A "You have cduralerou have devotian . " he " said gravely . "I believe you regret the step you h'e taken . I ) ' 01 could undo what you Iigy 'Q dooe , even at l'eIl 10 yours J date : " - you do Its" " "Yes " Bhe sid beathbessly. , k "tou Ire known to the ea 1) I I alI lur' , : - ' \ 'k . . - 't. rounilei ) you could pasa throuh the COnCet- erat lines Inquestonecl , " ! "Yes , " she said , eagerly "A note from me would p1SS you again through the pickets cf our headquarters , . lInt you would bear n note 10 the general that 10 eye hut his must tle , I would not implicate you or ) 'our-I woulll bo only I word ot warnIng " "Anll , you " Rhe said quickly "wouM be saved , ! They would come to your assistance ! You woull not then bt taken ? " le i 1m led gently. "Perhaps-who knows ? " 119 sat down and " " wrote , Isat hurriedly "This ho said , handing ( her n sill ) ot papr "ig ' a pars. You will use i beyond your own lines. This note " ho contnued. handing her a lale1 envelope . "Is for the general . No one ( 'Is " must see I. or know ot It-not even your loverhoul you meet him " "My loverl" she Raid indignantly , with a flash ot her old savagery "Vhat 110 you mean ? I have no lover Irant glanced at her flushed taco "I I thought " Iw said " . sall quietly , "that there was sam one yon cared for In yonder lines-some one you wrote to. I would have , been an " excuse- lie stollped 18 her taco palell again and her hands drDJped heavily at her aide "Gooll God ! you thought that too ! You thought that I would sacrifice you for another man ? " "Pardon me " soul Brant quickly ; "I was foolish. mlt whether your lover Is I man . or a cause you have shown 1 woman's devotion , and In repairing your fault you arc showing lore thau a woman's eCnrale , 110w. " ! To his slfrlse. the color . had again moun Led her hureity cheeks , and even a flash ot mischief hone In her blue e'es. "It would have lleen 'an exclse'-yes-to sa\o ready a " imuaiu surely. Wel. I will go. I am "One moment , " he said gra\'el' . "Al- though this pas and al escort assure your safe conduct there . Is an engagement amid collIe danger Are you still ready to face It ? " "I am , " she saId proudly turning back a braid ot her fallen Imnir Yet I moment after site hesitated . Then she said In a lower voice : "Aro you as ready to forgive ? " "In either case " he said . touched by her manner-"and God sped you. ' Ho extended hIs lianul and . left a slight pressure on her cold fingers. rIot they slppell fuleld ) ' from his grasp , and she turhell away with n heIghtened color lie stepped to the dcor. One or two nitles.de.camnp , wlhheH ! by his order against intrusion . were wailng Eagerly with reports. The horse of a mountEd fIeld olcer was pawing the garden turf The ofcer starEd at the young girl "Take Miss Faulkner with a faA to some safe point of the enemy's hue. She Is a non.combatant of their own . and will receive theIr irotectiott. " proteclon. He had scarcely exchanged a dozen words . with tIm auien-dc-camp ! before the field 0- fleer hurriedly entEe , ! Taking Drnnt aside ho saId quickly : "Pardon me , genera ! , but there Is a strong feeling among the men that this attack Is the result ot some Information - formation obtaIned by the enemy. The woman you have just given I safeguard to Is suspected . and the men are Indlgulnt , "The more reason why she should bo con- \eyed beyond any consEquences of their folly , Major , " said Drant trlsldly. "anll I look to you for her safe convoy. There Is nothing tn this attack to show that the enemy has received any Information regarding - gading us But I would suggest that It woull be better to see that my orders are carrIed out regarding the slaves and noncombatants - combatants who are passing our lines from division headquarters , where valuable Intur- maton may be obtaIned , than In the stir- velance ot a testy and outspoken gIrl. " An angry flush covered the major's cheek as ho saluted and fell back , and Drnt turned to the aide-tie-camp. The news was gra\e _ A column ot tIm enemy hall moved against the rIdge ; I was no longpr poslble to hold I ; and the brigade was cut aIr from Its comnutnicattoti with the divisIon headquarters - ters , alhough as yet no combine movement was made agaInst It. Drant's secret fears that It was an Intended Impact against the center were confirmed . \Vould , his commu- nicatons to the divIsion commander plSS through the attackIng column In time ? One thing puzzled him. As yet the enemy , after facing his line , had shown arer ! lne ito dlsposl- lon ( , even with their overwhelmIng force , to turn aside ! to cover him. lie could easily have : fallen back when Il was possible to hold the ridge no longer' without pursuit. Ils flank and rear were not threatened . as they might have been by I division of s'o largo an attackitig column and his retreat was 'tl secure ! I was this fact that seemed to show I failure or imperfection In the enemy's plan. I was possible that his precipitaton ot the attack ly the changed signal had been the cause of it. Douhtess smo provision had been made to alack him In hank and rear but In .the unexpected hurry ot the onset It had to bo abandoned. lIe cou ! , still nave himself , as his officers knew , b his conviction that t ho might ! yet be able to sUJport his division commander by holding his Position dojgedly . but coolly awaiting his opportunity . was strong. More than that It was his temperament and In- stinet. Harrowing thtm In flank and rear contest- log the ground Inch ly Inch , and holding his own against the artillery sent to dislodge him , or the cavalry that curled round to ride through his open ranks , he saw hIs files melt away befcro thIs steady current wlh , out fnehlng , PART 11-CHAPTER VI. Yet all along that fateful ridge now ob- scured and confused with thin crosslng-moke drifts from file firing , like 11arty rubbed out slate pouch marl18 , or else , when cleared of those drifts , presenting only an Illsln ; ulsh- able mall ot zIgzag lines of stragglng wagons and horses , unintelligible to any eye hut his , the singullr magnetism of the chief was felt everywhere. Whether It was shown In the quick closIng In of resistance to some sharper oltt of the enemy or the more dogged stand ot Inaction 1IIIer fire , his II ewer was alwaYI dominant. A word or two ot comprehensive direction , sent through an aide-do-camp , or the sutitlen relief or his darll watchtul , composed - posed face UIJltld ( above I line ot bayonets , novel failed In their magic . Like nil born leathers he seemed , In these emergencIes , to hell a charnwd life , Intectlg his followers with a 11 disbelief In death . Men dropped to right anti left , ot him with rercne wslr- mica In their ghastly faces , or a cry of life lte and confluence , In their last gasll. Stragglers toil In antI closed up under his fel cos passIng glance j a hOlleless , inextricable wrangle aroututi I Inextrlablo \\'ran/Ie aroulll In overturned caisson , at a turn ot the road , re- so\'e,1 ! ' , Itself Into In orderly quiet deliberate clearing away ot the Inlodhltnt before the significant lan , waiting ot that dark . sient horse- muon.Yet Yet under this ImJerturbahlt mask lie was . keenly confclous ot everything ; In that app.l- cot concentration there was a sharpening ot all his benSIS anti , his impressibility ; he saw the first trace of doubt or llaIm In the face ot a. subaltern to whom he I subaler was glvli nn order ; tim frat touch of : : ; /glshness In are- tormlng line ; the more signIficant clunlInl8s of a living e\oluton that he knew was clogged closst'l by the dead bodies ot comradcs : the omlnou8 sil nee ot a breastworlq ; the awful inertia of omo , rlgidlyknoehing . . flies beyoumti . which sll Kllltelr mornu hut never would mOVe aglln ; the melIng away of sldr- mish points : the sudden , gaps hero and there ; the sickening Ilcun'lng ot what a moment before had been 1 straight line lne -all tlSO he sa\ In nil their fatal signif- cammee But even at this moment coming Upon a hasty barricade of overset Ionlnls- sary wagons , lie stoPIJl 1 to glance at a fa- miiar figure he had seen hut an hour ago . who now scented to bo IOW sllled commanding 1 group of stragglers anti camp foikiweri ! ounted on I wheel , with a revolver In each hall and I bowte knife between his teeth- theatrical even In this Ilaroxysm ot undoubted - doubted courage-glared JIm hooker ! And Clarence Imnt , with the whole relponsl- bully ot time feld al lila shoulders . oven at that desperate moment . found himself recaling 1 vivid Illctnro of the bled flick In "Hesahie the Prairie lower , " 8 he had Seoul hIm In a California theater five years beon' . I wal led still an hour of thin darkness that would probably cloic the tight of that day Could hu hell out . keeping his olel- . alvo position 60 long A hasty coulcl with ' wih' his officers showed him that the wl.knen , ot 'hell ' , , I poitiou had already JIctelhem. ( \ . : _ . - - - - - - - - _ _ ? = ; _ . , They remlndet him that hIs line ot retreat ' was still ( p n-that In the course of the nIght the enemy , although still pressing ' toward the division . ' diision center might rct turn : and outflank him-or that their strangely do. . ! le- 11)'ed supports might cle lP before morn- Ing. Irlnts glass . hiowover remained fUtl on the main column nUll pursuing Its way , along the ridge. I struck him suddenly . ' however , that the steady current hal , stopped , spread out along the crest on both sides , and was now at right ; ange : with Its pre- ' vlou course There hall been a check I The next moment the thunder ot guns along the : whole . horizon and the rising clold ot smoke ' revealed . a line of . battle. The dl. vision center 1.as ellaged , The opportunity he halt 10nFzd for had come-the desperate chance to throw himself on their rear anti cut his way through the dlvl lcn- but It had core too Intel lIe looked at his ; shalere.1 r\nks-scarc n regiment remaln d , I Even I as a demonstraton ! the attack would fail agaInst the enemy's superior numbers . Nothing clearly was let to him now but to rmaln where h. was-within supporting distance - tance , anti await the Issue of the fight be- yond. lie was putting UII his glass when the dull beont C cannon In the extreme wester limit of the horizon attracted his attnthon. By the still gleamIng sky ho could sod a long gray line stealing up front the val ! ) from thE IlstanL rear ot the headquarters to join the main column. They we\\ the mising ! supports I Ils heart leaped I lie Iwl the key to the mystery now. 'he one hnprtect detail of the eneuily's plan was before him. The supports . coming later front the west had seen only the secold signal from the whHlow-when MIss Paulkner had replaced the vaseand hall avoided his itositlon. I was Inposlblo to limit the elect of this blunder ! I the young girl who hall ( thus saved him had reachEd the diviSIon com. mandlI with his message In time . he mIght ' be forewarned antI even profit b ) It. Ills own 10siton ! would be less precarious , ns tim ene'iiiy already inglged 4n trout would bo un-S able to recover their \oslion ; In the rear and correct the blunller. The butk of their column hind already strllell Past hint . I IlereaUd there was always the danger that I might be role back upon hulimi-but he conjectured that the divIsion commander would attempt to prevent thE' junction ot the supports with the maIn coluln by breaking between them , crowding them traIn the ridge anti joining him , As the last stragglers of the rear guard swept by Brant's bugles were already recalling the sldrmlshers. lie redoubled hil pickets anti , resolved to walt anti watch lImit there was the ( more Painful duty ot looking after the wounde amid deatl The larger roms of the headquarters hall already - ready been used 01 a hospital. las8ln from cot to cot , recognizing In vacant faces now drawn wIth agony 01 staring In vacant unconsciousness - consciousness the features that he had Sln only a few hour before Hushed with enthuII Cain and excitement something ot his old doubting , questionIng nature returned. Was tler ! no way hut this ? how far WIS he movIng amen ! them unscathed and unln- jured-responsible ? And It not hewho them 7 Ills mind went back blterl' to the old days of the conspIracy-to the inception or that struggle which was hearing audi ghastly fruit. He thought of his wire until he felt his cheel\ tingle , and he was faIn to avert his eyes from those of his prostrate comrades , In strange fear that with the clairvoyance ot dying men they should read his secret. It was past midnIght when , without undressing - dressing , he threw himself upon his bed In the little convent Ile cell to snatch a few mo- mlnts of sleep. Its spotless . peaceful wals and draperies affected him strangely . as It he hal brought Into Its Immaculate serenity the sanguine stain ot war. He was awall- ened ! sUdtenly fro I a deep slumber by an 111efnite sense or alarm. His frt thought was that he had been summoned to repel an attcht. lie sat UI and lstened ; everything , was silent except the measured tread or the sentry on the gravel walk below But the door was open He sprang to his feet and shipped Into the Gallery In time 10 sec the tail figure of a woman glide before the last - ' meonl window at its turthest end. lie coull not see her face , but the character- Istle turbaned bead of the negro race was plainly vlsINe. , He did rot cara to folow her or even niacin the guard. I I were the' SIIY or one oC her emotissaries . she was powerless , now to do any harm , and under his late order8 011111 and the rigorous vigilance of his sentnts ) she could not leave the lines-or indeed the house. She probably know this as well al he did : It was , therefore no doubt only In accidental Intrusion of one ot the servants He ro-entered the 1001 and stood for n few moments by the window looking overt the moonl rIdge. The sounds of dIstant can- non had long since ceasell. Wide awake and refresher hy the keen morning air . which alone of all created things seemed to ha\'e shaken the burden of the dreadful yesterday from its dewy wings , he turned away and lit 1 candle on the table AR hue was re . bucklinG hIs sword belt he saw a piece or paper lying on the toot of the bed from which he had just risen Taking It to the candle hand : he , read In IL roughly scrawled "You are asleep when you should be on the mareh You have no time to lose. Defora daybreak the supports or the coluln you have been foolishly resisting will be upon ) . I rom one who would save you , but hates your cause. " For n moment ho was transfixed . The hallwrilng was unknown and evidently dls ulsed. I was not the purport of the message that alarmed him , but the terlhle suspicion that falhed upon him that It cale from Miss Faulkner ! She had relIed In her attempt to pass through the enemf hlimes- or she had never tried to ! She had de- celvel1 him , or she had tbought better of her chivalrous impulse anti now tried to multi- gate her second treachery by this second warning ! And he hind let her imesaenger cscape him ! lie hurrIedly descended the stairs. The round of voices vas approaching hiltit He baied , and recognized the faces of the brIg- gado surgeon and one ot hIs aldes-de.camp "Wo were heslathl ! whether to disturb yell , general , but I lay be an affair of sonic imnportaumce. Under your orders n negro woman was jUt now challenged stealng out ot the lutes . Alemlltng to escape , Rhe was . chased , there was I struggle alI ECI.umblo over the wal , all she tel , su'leng hel' head. SIte was brought Into the guard house un- consclols , " "Very goad I will see her , " said Brant. with a fociluig ot relief . I teeln/ relct. "Ono mmtoliment , general . 1Vo , mOlent genlral. \1 tlought you would perhaps prefer tu see bier alone " said the surgeon. "For 1 when I endeavored to brIng her to . and was sponging her face and head to discover her injmmriez her color came off ! She waK a white wOlan-ltalnel and dlsAulsed as a lulnt o. " 1"01 an Instalt Brant's htart sanll. It was Miss Faulkner. I "Dil ( yon recognize her ? " he said , gilne- Ing from one to the othcr. "Had you seemi Sln her before ? " "No . sir , " replied the alle.de-camp. , "nut she slemell to be quite a superior woman-a lad ) ' . I Ihould tay " . 1rnt breathed lore freely " 'iiero Is alma now ? " he o slll "In the glar.l house , \Ve thought I bet- ter ( not to hiring her Into the hospital , among thc ( men , until we had your orders , " "You have " orle1. doue wel , returnell Braid , gra\'el "And you wilt keep thus to your. : solves for the present , but see that sh Is brought here quietly anti with as little pub- lely as rossible Put hnr In lY reel above , which I give UII to bier , and any IC- esaat'y attemidamit . But you will look esay ulendant. wil cat- fully after her , doctor , " II' ' turned to the surgeon , "anll when she reco\'er conscIous- ness let moo know " - He ! moved . away . Although attaching little , ) porlace to tne mysterious meragl whlther sent by Miss I"lulknel or enmaaating flOI the stranger herult-whlch emanatng ( reasoned \ 18 basel only upon a klowledn ! of the original plan of atisek-he nevertheless - less quickly dIspatched 1 mulish scouting part In the dlrcctol from which scoutng thl tack might come , with order to tail back tal amid report lt once. Wih a certain halt Irony ot recolecton he had selected Jim hooker to accompany the party as I'olun - teer. ThIs done he returned to rltured the gallery. I The Burgeon met him at the 1) . "The . indications of concussIon are passing away . . he cold , "but she seems to b SUalr- log from exhaustion following exhauston folowIng some great nervous excitement. You may go In-he may rally front It any moment " With the artificial step and IYltlrlous hush of the ordinary visitor to a sick bed , Scant entered the room. Uut some instinct Instnct greater than this common expression ot hu. manly held him In awe. Time 1001 seemed no longer hIs-It had slipped back Into that austere conventional Ilrlvac which hal frt Impressed him Yet he hesitated ; another strange suggestion-it seemed almost a vague recolecton-\ercame hint like some IIGerlng plrtume , taint , far oft . and Pathetic In its dying tamnhiarlty : . I\ turned .bl ) ens . . - - - - l ' . t almost timldly4oa.jd the bed The coverlet - let was Irawl 1Jf f near the throat of the fguro to replall ] tle striped colon gown , stained with bl1.1 clnd ( t1imt whIch hal gwn hurriedly tornioft'Lnti : thrown asldo. The pale face cleanldl of blood and Ilsgulslnl color the long hAir Istl lamp from thin simm'- geon's sponge la"t/ldly hack on the piow , Suddenly this nlll b Iron nerves uttered n taint cry arid , ' wlW I taco al white as the upturned one b\rot bthnm fell on his knees beside the bti. ; "nir . the face that lay there was his wife's . ' ' , u Yu ! her ! ! ut the beautiful hall that she bal gloried ln-th& 1 hall that In his youth ho hall thought ithut I once fallen like a bene- dicton on his sholller".n ) ; streaked with /rey along tho" blht' ' velnelholows \ of the temples ; the orbits of those clear eyes , be neth their delicately arched brows , were rlnlell with dl 's of sUfering ; emily the clear cut profile , even to the delicate imperious- neu ot lp , ald tlstrl ; was still there In all its beaut ) . Time coverlet hall slipped train time shoulder ; Its familiar marhle contour . tour hal started him He renemberlt ! ) how In their early married IIR's he had felt Ito sanctity ot that liana-like revelation , and the still nymuphi-hike austerity which citing to this strange , childless \vcman lie even fancIed that ho breath again the subtle characteristic perfume of the lace embrold. cries , the delicate enwrappln/ ! In her client- her at Hobles. 'Perhaps It was the Intensity of his gazeperhaps It wits the m./neUsm , of his presencebut her lips parted . with a' ' half sigh half moan leI head alhough time eyES were stilt closed , turned ou the pillow Ilstnctvely toward . him. lie rose from his knees. lice eyes opened slow I ) As the first glare of wonlermlnt cleared trol them they met him-In the old an- tagnism of SIll Ill ! Yet her first gesture was 'a feminine ) athetc ! movement with both hands to arrallo her straggling hair. I brought her white fingers . cleaned or their Ilsgllsln ! stains , ns n sudden revelation to her of what had happened ; she instantly ; shipped them back lndeI the ( co\erle nh"ln , ! Brant did not ctlOak , but with folded arms stood gazing upon her. Amiti It was bier voice that first broke the sIlence. . "You hacl recognIzed mel Well , I suppose dnflammce ) .01 know . nil , " she said with I weak half- He bowed his healt. He felt as yet he could not trust his voice alul envied her her own. "I lay sit up , mayn't I ? " She managed by sheer force of wi to struggle to I sitting . ting osture. Then I the coverlet nlhlpe ! tram the bare shoulders alto RaId , ns she drew It with I shl\er of disgust around hEr again : "I forgot the you strlll women-you northern soldiers. But I forgot also , " she mlded with I sarcastic smile . "that you are room. likewise " my husband-amid this Is your The contemptuous significance of her speech dlEIJoled : Ito last lingering remnant of lhramit's dream. In a voice as dry as her own ho salt : "I emit afraid you whit now have to remember only that I nun a northern generl and you a southern spy. " "So be I , " she sid 'gra\'elr. ' Then 1m- pulslvel . "Out I have not spied on you. " Yet Ito next moment sIre hit her lips as Ir the expresslol lad unwltngy ; escped her and with I reckless shrug of her shoulders she lay back on her pillow . "It maters not ' : said Brant coldly . "You have used this house and those within It to forward your desIgns . , I Is not your fault that you found , nothing II the dispatch box you opened " , / , Shun starell at hIm , qulclllY ; then shrugged her shoulders again . , "I might have known shin was false to , me , : ; she said bitterly . "anti that you would whqedlo her soul away as you have othicr ' Well-she betrayel1 le ! For what ? " - . A flush passedpvem Drant's tace. nut with passcp\'e , an effort ho contaIned himself. "It was the fewer that betrayed you , ! The flower whose red dust tel ht the box when you opened I on the dealt by the wIndow In yonder coon The flower thatl ftoqd In the window as a nlgnal. 'he fow.r lmyself , removed alt EO 'spoied the mlsefabll plot your . friends bad . " concocted. , . concocted. 1 A Ionic of minled , terror and awe came Into her fa'c " ( otm changed the ' signal ! . " she rppe' led e1aedhy : then In a lower volcc ; , 'Tlmat accounted ) 'for It I a\\t \ ! : . But : Jhd. ; 'ncxt rrnJ ht she turnrd again /crcely ,111011 him . And : you mean to tel mo that she dldn't help yol- that she dhln't sell me-your wIfe-to you for-for what was Jt-a look-n kiss ? " "I mean to say that she did not know the signal was changed and that she herself restored - stored I to Its place. I Is no . fault ot hers nor of yours ( hunt I am not now I prisoner. " She passed her thIn hand dazedly acro.s her forehead. "I see , " she mutteroj. "hen again burstng out pasionately. she saId : "Fool ! you level would have been touched ! Do you think Lee would have gone for you -with higher game In youI division commander - mander ? No ! Those supports were a feint to draw him to your assistance while our main column broke his center. Yes. you tony stare at me. Clarence Drant. You are . a good lawycr-they say / dashing lighter . too. I never thought you a coward even In your Irresolution , but ) 'OU are fighting with men dried In thin art o war and strategy when you were a boy outcast on the plains , " Silo stopped , closed'her eyes , and then adlled wearily : "But that was re3terday-today , who knoWs ? Alt unity be changed. That SUI ports may stilt attack ) 'ou. That was why I stopped to write you that note an hour ago-when r believed I should be leaving here torever. Yes , I dll I ! " she went on . with half.wearled , halt-dogged determinatiomi. "You may as wel Ilow all . I had arrngeJ to fly ; your pIckets nero to bo drawn by friends ot mine , who were waitIng for me beyond your lines. Wel ! I Ingerel1 here when I saw you arrive-lingered to write you that hate. " And-I was too late ! " lint Drlnt had been watching her varyIng expression her kindling eye her strange masculne grasp of military knowledge . her soldierly phraseology all so now to liar that he scarcely heeded the feminine omllg ot her slleech. I seemed to him no longer the Diana ot his youthful fancy , but some Palas Athena who now loolled' \ at him from the pillow . He hud ne\el' before fully believed In her unselfsh devotion to hue cause , unt now when It seemed to have almost umislxoti lice In his wllllst comprehenslol of her he had never dreamed her I Joan ot Arc , and yet that ( was LImo face which ) might have con- fronted him. exalted amid Inspired , on the an battlefield effort . itself. lie recalled hllself , with "I thank you for your would-be warning , " ho said lucre gently . It lot tenderly , "and God knows I wish your Ight h3d been suc- cessfnl. But even your warning Is lunec- ossary. For th : supports had Ilre\ly : come up : they ( had followed only the second signal - nal und dlvergel to elglo cur division on the left . leaving 10 alole , Anti this ruse ot drawing our COlmal11er to If.lst inc would lot ha\e hiemi Huecelsrul , as I had suspecteJ It and sent 1 message to him that I wlntell , " no help. , I Wil . the truth-l was the sole plrport ot the note he bal W through Miss I'aulk- ncr. Ito might tlJhJluvo .rsclosld it. but so great was tliamtrmiimgo lomlualon of this woman still ovet' , hll that he felt compelcl to ussert hh superiorit ) ' . She fxed her eyes UPOI hilmmi . "Anti ' 11i I aulkler tool ) 'our mesaro. " Hho shl , sheewly ! . "non't deny It ! No ont else could , hlp IJassed through our lines , anti you gat' " , her I nafe conduct through your 1,81 ! I might have known I. And lila Is mise re3turo they sent le tor an ally and IJ.It.llt ! " POI al Insalt , Jlrllt felt ( lip sting ot thIs ( cltorcell cntrast iietwen time two womuien hit he ojlntald , : "You forget that I did not know YQU , itere the t11 , nor do I believe that ShOll suspected you were lY wll. " . _ " ' . . . . "Why sl0ull a'llley" she saul amman fiercely. "I sin known amonc these plopl , only ly the naml ! oflJenham. / ) ' maillen name . Yes ! you I take mite out and hoot ( mo under that muumie- ; , without dltgraclng yours Nobody will know that the souther spy was the wife cf the norther general , You sea I have thought Eel of that ! ! " "And thlnklll ( lint. " bald Brant slowly , " ) 'OU have put .uurself-I trill not SY In my p wer-tor you are In the Ilower . of any mal II ( lila camp who may know you or even bear YOI speak Wel. let II unllrtand each other plainly , I do not lmow how great a sacrilce your de\'otol to your cause demands of 'ou. I do not know what I seels to le/and ot / , Ieal IU , then I I wi do r ) best to protect ) .ou and get you safely away from lucre ; but . falling that . I tel you plainly that , I shall blow out your brains anY own togethie , " Site knew that ho \oull do I. Yet her eye suiJdoniy beamed with I new aad awuik- enlne light. Eh ! put back tier hall Igaln and halt raleed herself , the ' anl ! ralted upon pilow to gaze at his dark Bit face. "And 1 I shall let no other life but ours be Illrled II thl affair . " he went no . qu - oily , "and will neecoit ary you 1).s-lf , IU- 1010 IlsS\lse. beyond the Ine4 , we will take the I risks togth < r - of tile , bUlet' of tl ! sea- trIes that may save us both all further teen- bIt' An hour two will . .n hOlr or lore wi decide this. Until that time Tour condition wi excuse you from any disturbance or intrusion here . The lulato womln ) ' 01 have omethne per- ! onated may bo still In . this house : t will ap- I.olnt her to attend ) .ou. I suppose ) ' 01 can trust her for you \ Imt personate her again and escape In her clothes , while she takes your plate In this reel a my prlsomutr. " "Clarence , . ) . ner voice had changed slhelly ; I was n 10lger bitter antI ! rlllllOls , 'mit low and thmrillln , ns hue harlt lice cal to him that night mum the Patio ot 10bles. le h turned quickly. She Wa leaning trout the hd- ( her thin whie hallis stretched appealingly towarll him. "I.etS go to/ether. Clnrence , " she soli' ' laA rl ) " 1et lS leave thIs horrlhle Illace- these vulgar . crud people , torenII Come with mite ! Come with me to lit ) people to mmiy o\n faith , to toy own house , which shall he 'our81 Come with me to derC\1 ( I With ) rClr good \ortl , Claremmee . against these In- \ 'ntlers. Yesl ! Yesl 1 kioYOII I have Ilole ) ' 01 wrong ; I ha\'e lied to you when I , polo ngalnst your ski a 11 power. \ou are n hero-a her leader ot len ! I know II ! lave 1 not heard . trom Ihe ( len who ha\'o fought against ) .01. amid yet admlretl anti undel'stoo you , aye better lion your o\n7 Oalllt men , Clarencel soldiers bred , who did hot know what . YOI were to me liar how Ilrold I was ot you . even while I hatell you. COle with inc. Think what \e \ouhl do together , wih one faith , olin cause , ole am- bitioti . Tlmiimk Clarence there Is no limit yol might not attain . We are no Ilg .I1 ot ommr ronmurds niiti honors0 kuow . 011 rO\\lrds anl ; ito our friends ! B\en I. Clarence , I"-there was a strange pathos In time slddtn hmumuiiihty that seemerl tn overcome her-1 have have hall / ) rewarti . and know I ) power. \ I have litton Eent . hlen abroatl In the conlhlenco 'Jt the highest to the huimhest. ; lomi't tur from / . 1 nut oiterlumg you ito bribe . Clarence , only ) ' 011 deserts. Conic wih mile and live the hero ( hint ) ' 01 are ! " . 10 tlrned ( his hlazlnr eyes upon imer Ol then 3'oti were stOPPNI Ian I" he began , passlonate.I , , " "No ! 1 am a woman and must fight In a . fght woman's tray . . she Interruptecl hmitterly . "I emitreat . I Imiiplore I wlmsedhti 1 hatter . I fawmi . I lid ! I creep where you stand upright anti pass thl"olgh doors to which YOI would not ho\ YOI wear your blazel of honor on your shmoultler . I hldo ' Ihollder. Ilne In n slave's gown. And yet I have worlll , and strh'el gOWI. auf- slf- ferOI ! 1.lsten , Ciarcuuco- " her voice again salk to its apileallg minor . "I Ilcow what you muon call ' ' 'honor'-whlch mmimiltcs ' /en cal lakes yomi chug 3'01 cllg to a merely ! pokel word anti , nn emuutity oath \Vchh , let that ! 1 elpty 'el nasal al weary ; 1 have dOle I ) share of this work you have done yomil's . Let us , both fly ; let us leave the fight l LmtOsO'mmo suCh come after us , and let - us go together to semite distant land where the ( sounds of these gns or the hlood ot our brother3 no longer cry out to us for you- \en- cancel [ ( There are hone 1\lng theroI have l1a\0 \ met thicimi " . Clarence- thri. Clarenceshe went on hurlrcdl . " "who think I wrong to lift UII fratricidal hands In the struggle , yet who cannot live under the northern yolee. They are- " her voice hesitated , "good men and women-the are respected-thcy are- " " "necreants suit ( ! slaves , before whom ' . 11 sla\es ) you spy as you are . stand a queen I" ! broke In Brant , liassiottatoly Ito stopped and turned towarcl the window . After n pause he came back again toward the beti . paused again , and then saul ( In a lower voice : "I.'our years ngo Alice . In the pate of our house at Ito- Ides , I might have listened to this proposal , and 1 trtmhle to thlnlc I might have accepted . It. I loved you ; I was as weak , as sehllshm , as unrelectng , I ) ' bite purposeless , selfsh fo lS ) 'ou , as the creatures ) 'Ol speak of limit give mo now at least the credit oC a dovotiomi to de\oton calico equal to ) 'OUI own , which I have never \ ne\er denied rou. 1"01 the nIght that you left mite I awoke to n sense ot I ) ' own worthlessness and thanlc degratlation-perhitups I have even to you for this nwakenlng-and I realize the bItter trumlh Dut that night I realze mmiy true vocation , lily purpose my Imianhiond- " A bitter laugh came frol the 1)1110w on ploon which she had languidly thrown herself "I believe I left you with ! rs. Hooker-spare me the details. " Tie blood rushed to Drant's face , anti then receded as sUddenly. "You left me with CaptaIn Pinkney , who had tempted you , and whom I killed ! " he said turloush' . ktll" They were . hell staring ' at each other. Suddenly - denly he said "Hush ! " and sprang toward tawiId the door as the sound or hurried footsteps echec , llong the passage. But It was toe late ; It was thrown open to the Officers of the guard who ! aPPeared ofcers the thmreshoid "Two confederate officers arrested hoverIng around , , our pickets. 'fhey demand to see you. " Before Drant couh Interpose , two men , In riding cloakR ot confederate gray , stepped Into the room with I jaunty and sel.con- fdent air. 'Not ' demand , general . " saId the foremimost I tall , distingimIslmeti-Iooking man , hitting his hand wlh I graceful , depreciating air. "In fact , toe sorry to bother you with an affair of no Inportonce except to ourselves. A bit ot after dInner bra\ado brought us In contact with your pickets and , ot course wo had to talt ( the commsequlomices. Served us right and we were lucky not to have got a bulet through us. Gad ! Im afraId my men would have been boos discreet ! I emit Coieieb La. range of the Fifth Tennessee ; my young friend here Is CaptaIn Faulkner of the First 1 KentucllY. Some excuse for a youngster like him-none for me ! 1- " Ho stopped , tor his eyes suddenly tel upon the beth and its eccupammt. Both ho and his companIon started But to the natural and unaffected dismay of gentlemen who had unwittingly Intrudell upon a lady's hedcham- her . nrant's quick eye saw I more iIisa.- trous Concern stmperatitled. Colonel Lernge was quiche to recover hlm3e/f / , as they both removcd their calIS. "A thousand pardons , " he said hurriedly ' stepping baccwar to the door. hurrlCdly'l hardly need say to I fellow officer , generl , that we had no Idea ot making so grosi an Intrusion ! We hearl some cocll-and-bul story of your helnr occuplell with an es. Clpe or escaping nigger , or we should ne\er have forced otmrselt'es , " ha\e oursel\es IPOI you Drant glancCI qulcl\y at his vie 111 face had apparently become rlgll emu the entrance ot the two men ; her eyes were cattily fixed Ul0n the ( celn ! lie bowed for , mnahiy . a 1\1 with I wa\e ot his hal\l toward the ( door Fall : "I wi hear your story helow , gemitiemen . " ll followed them train the , le folow frol room , stollpe,1 to quiet ) tur the 1(1) In the lock , anr thcn 10toncd thom ( to precede hll down the stalrcas ( 'l'o hc Contnued , ) IMPERIAL Hair Regenerator. . Ilrllclh'rcKtoTM a rich . IIKlrolR . color lalwK limo hair ht'.llh ) ' . 1111 . IKIIual j , : h'l I I I lug , Hal or ' 1'II.kl'lh , I imttiia , Ito itot ! I/llo ! I , I I t Id 1 11M miit- : ' - ii nih > uumtmmrt : , . Jetoctol 1110 > RI- _ _ .j bie. . ti . _ , : ' 4 ! " \'Olrl'olaraton 111 > my eortminl eOIllat - .t9 f'C111111.1 , tl I , 11'IU'u I ttitru IR , ' ulthhlr In thu u'ou iii ( tir thu hair \ulll , . tlulll 111 . ( , , 11. I it' ' AmI.IIA : IA11-N/ulISI. m . cor.OIS-I.la'k ; : ! ark Irwu , ; TRA 0 - : : ! 1 11 Irowl : 4 , Cit " 'aCquit ' : I. it a ii C r.t J Clu'Mlut : U 00111 itlomuti : 7. M A I K. AKh 1110 nil . l'rlco I M I .111) / ) 10111 \ I : ; . ; 'A 1"0 " 8lllllu both a of liii , Ii I ( 'Ht romivt ) " i rum . ) perish \1'IIH 'rIot" wil 1. o , fln Imt : rl . 1 "In. , I"'nt > I ( limit , IM h'FltIAI , CI ' : MWAr. Ml"I. tO ! , i'it2 PUh II'ell , , Now York. JI'a. I" O'/J/ ' " " SIERMAN & MDCONNELLI ; iij its St. . ' Uut ; ; DIPlTlERITI0 OONTAGION. II I Jnlrs for tonlh8 lu S'hmnt I , Touched by hue i'atieiit , At tIm meetng ot thin New York Ac.llm ) ' at ? tlediciiic , says tIme New York Stmmi . Dr. n. \ Berg read a paper on the , treatment of dhhihmthucrla . In speaking ot the disease Itself . Ito said that It could be communicated five I _ . - - months after its . supposed ( IMppenrlncQ from clothing toyiu , ete All who como In cntact with the patient , ho Mid , were IOlrC0 for preatln the contagion . 114 e\rythlnr the palont tOlchl1 was usually c'ontaniiiinted , the . tontlmlnltNt ni patients were fenlr. . ally not 01 ( noulh to appreciate the "ahls of Jrrfcct cleanliness anti sanitation. Wbere there was diphtheria In the famies ot per. pr- comma keeping baker ali b\tchlr shops ii 1 II was especially dangerous , Ir. Ber corn. /cm1e < t the use of [ niitt-toxlne. - - - , _ _ " 'h _ ' _ _ . . . . . . . _ , _ _ _ _ _ " _ _ _ _ " _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ ' Li- -i-- ! ' " t'c's'4 - " - .s.- . 444.4' I IOzomu1siori TRADE MARK' i , ; Is not only a fat producer , but a builder of firm , hard , I ; velvety fesh , free from all pimples , blotches and ; , blemishes It does not drive disease out through the , o skin , disfiguring the face and other exposed parts of the , ; body , but aids nature in gently expelling it through the ; , natural channels . . , This is why the ladies like it . % ITISFOR f , Colds , Coughs , Consumption , Bronchiis , Pneumo _ & 9 nin , La Grippe , Asthma and all Pulmonary Complaints ; Scrofula , General Debility , I Loss of Flesh and all Wasting Diseases. 9 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ i , 4 1- ' I kth4W & cc i l : tl mid Dotig1is Sts. , iVUIA. j . . . . . . . 9..C .fcGC. * < 4 44 44"44' - - - . Rain in Oregone , . ' , \ . : More lies are told about it than anything else in th catalogue. ' , ' - The average annual rainfall in ' fifteen cities for 18 years according to government report : , is as follows : ' New haven , COIL . . . . . . .1O.8 : itt . Norolk , Vn. . . . . _ . . . . . . in. Wilmniugton . N. C . . . . . .57.7\ " ( Joutunbin . S. . . . . . . . . . .1160 . " ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . ' ' . ' 8:1ullll. : Ga. I .lacksomtvihle , ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ( . : I Atantn , . Ga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ( ' .H1 . .1UClsUI\iC , . . I'la. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C.:1 . ( . ' ' \TiclcshJl1.g ( , Iliss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ml.8 $ Nov Om'lcuimis , Lu..6-1.3(1 ( " Little 1ocic , Ai'lc . , , . . , , . . . . , . . .6 O.I5 Climtttnnoogn , . . . . . . . . . . . . ) . " ' ! tlemnpluis , Tenmi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ( G.iO " Galveston , ' ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PORTLAND , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'rliey talk about "rain in Oregon" but no OflC says anything - thing about rain in Florida , Georgia or Texas. Yet either has more rain than Oregon The reports of government officers located in a dozen other states lrovc that all have a gi'eater rainfall than Oregon--to say nothing of the hurricanes - ' ' , - canes , cyclones , lightning and hail of which Oregon has none , The rain in Oregon is certain to come at regular seasons which people knov and can prepare for , and never comes during the harvest season to delay work or destroy crops , while in all the eastern states you never know when a raine storm is going to pour down upon you , The thermometer never falls to zero or rizes above 900 , If you want to get there right side up and on wheels call at or address our O'maha office , ioi Bec Building. . STEARNS FRIJIT LAND CO. OF OREGON. A eon'iplete and beautiful line , all new designs at veiy low prices. In our art room and drapery departmentwe s how nice novelties for Christmas ti'ade. BEWEY & STONE S - FURNITURE 00. , 1115-1117 Farnarn St _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ EXACTi3I THE MERCAHE1L IS THE FAVORITE TEN CEIIT CIGAR , lot' emalu by all F'lm'itL Clasim lcmiiut's. Nuntmfaetmmrctl by time F. R. iUCE MERCANTILE CICAR CO. , Fuwtum'y No , 'JUl , fh. I4tmIMo. This s' WhatChews When in good order ; when not , it swallows whole , and as a consequence the entire system suffers. Many a case oldyspepsia can be ti'aced V.- 1directly to imperfect teeth and poor mastication , 1' To avoid this , consult ExiM.f'ts Iii l'ahillesl Extraction of 'J'cutlm ' " ] J , , B..I.IEENIJEF' ' vitJmnimt gas or clmlo'oforiim , S'itmmfl'ictl Air , ; i'tiii 'Iicii deHired , 4t1'ilicihiJ ( 'l'cu.'tli iimaidti by E X P E R I E N C E D D E N T I ST , demlti8t of 2 ( ) ytai'm txpuI'iehice , Set of ttntIt , 5JO. ( Ik-t set , $7.O. Paxtoii Block , 16th and Farnam Sts. - ' I'.mtiiless extm'tctlvmi , 50c , lhi'luigc tcctli , $ ( I. F1IJi&i tuutlm , $1 up. 22k gold Eo'hiS1 $0 , TELEPIGNE 14)135. LADY A'l"I1EHDANT. tk