The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-09

BY Bret Harte.
Copyrights. 1884 oy Brss Farte.
III.

oomplacent, self-confessed SPY would be immo-
lated by his infuriated dupes. But 10 his sur
prise the shock seemed 10 have changed their
natures and given them the dignity they had
lacked.
The excitability. irritation, and recklessness
which had previously characterized them had
disappeared. Tho deputy and his posse. who
had advanced TO the assistance Of their revealed
chief. met with no resistance. They had evil
IDENTIFY, as II with one accord, drawn away from
Judge Beeswinger. leaving q cleared space
around him. and regarded their captors with
sullen, contsmptuous silence. Il was only broken
By Col. stsrbottls:
"Your duty commands you. sir. 10 use all
possible diligence in bringing us before the
Federal Judge Of this district. Unless your
master in Washington has violated the Consti-
tuition 90 far as TO remove him, tool"
~ understand you perfectly" returned Judge
Beeswinger with unchanged composure, and,
- you know that Judge Wilton unfortunately
cannot be removed except through regular
cause of Impeachment, I suppose you may still
count upon his Southern sympathies 10 befriend
you With that I have nothing to do: my duty
r complete when my deputy has brought you
before him and 1 have stated the circumstances
Of the arrest"
81 congratulate you, SIR" said Capt Pinckney
with an ironical salute, in your prompt reward
for your treechery TO the South. and your equally
prompt adoption Of the peculiar tactics of your
friends in the way in which you have entered
this house"
ia am sorry I cannot congratulate you, SIR"
returned Judge Beeswinger ~eravely, :" on break
ting your oath to the Government that has edu-
Gated and supported you, and given you the
epaulets you disgrace. Nor shall I discuss
'treachery' with the man who has not only vio-
lated the trust Of his country. but even the in
tesrity Of his friends household. 1t is for that
reason that I withhold the action Of this war
rant In 90 far as Il Affects the person Of the mas
Ter and mistress Of this house. I am satisfied
that Mr.. Brant has been as ignorant of what has
been done here as I am that his wife has been
only the foolish dupe of q double traitor"
"Silencei"
The words broke simultaneously from the lips
Of Clarence and Capt. Pinckney. They stood
staring at each other-the one pale, the other
orimson-as Mrs. Brant, apparently oblivious Of
the significance Of their united adjuration.
turned to Judge Beoswinger In the fury of her
still stiied rage and modification.
Keep your mercy for your fellow Spy" she
said, with y oontemptuous gesture toward her
husband. II 60 with these gentlemenl"
You will not" said Clarence quietly, until
Ihave said q word to you alone"
He laid his hand firmly upon her wrist
The deputy and his prisoners fled slowly out
Of the courtyard together. the latter courtcously
has IS 80 - shos e.cS1 but IA MIN
from Judge Beeswinger In c~ontemptuous silence.
The latter followed them to the gate, but there
he paused.
Turning TO Mrs. Brant, who was still half
struggling in the strong grip of her husband.
he said:
ANY conjunction I may have had In mis-
leading you by accepting your invitation here, I
dismissed after I had entered this housed And
TRUST" he added. turning to Clarence, sternly,
ct leave You master of fti"s
As tho gate closed behind him, Clarence
locked II. As his wife turned upon him, he said
quietly: ~ have no intention Of restraining your
liberty q moment after our interview Is over.
But until then 1 do not intend to be disturbed"
She threw herself disdainfully back In her
chair. her hands clasped in her lap. in half-con-
temptuous resignation, with her eyes upon her
long, Elim. arched feet crossed before her. Even
in her attitude there was something Of her old
fascination. which. however, now seemed to
sting Clarence to the quick.
II have nothing TO say TO You in regard to
what has Just passed In this house, except that
IS long As I remain nominally its master It shall
not be repeated. Although I shall no longer
attempt to influence or control your po-
liical sympathies, I shall not allow you
70 indulge them where in any way they
seem to imply my sanction. But SO little do I
oppose your liberty that you are free to rejoin
your political companions whenever you choose
70 do so on your own responsibility. But I must
frst know from your own lips that your sympa-
thies are purely political-not . name for some
thing else"
She had alternately flushed and paled, al
though still keeping her ~scornful attitude As he
went on, but there was no mistaking the gen.
uineness of her vague wonderment at his con-
cludins words. IL don't understand you" she
said, lifting her eyes to his in q moment OF cold
curiosity. What do you mean"
"whas do I .meanf What AID Judge
Beeswinger mean when he called Capt. Pinck-
ney . double traitor 2" he said roughly.
She sprang TO her feet with flashing eyes.
And y~ou-you-dare to repeat the cowardly
lie Of . confessed spy. This. then. Is what you
wished TO tell me-this. the insult for which you
have kept mo here. because you are incapable of
understanding unselhsh patriotism or devotion
even TO your own cause-you dare TO Judge me
by your own base standards. Yes, 1t is worthy
of you'll"
She walked rapidly mp and down. and then
suddenly faced n.
II understand Il ALI I appreciate your mag
nAnimity now. You are willing I shall Join the
company Of these chiyalrous gentlemen in order
10 give color TO your calumnies. Say at once
that IL was you who put up this spy TO CORE
spond with me-to come herein order 70 entrap
me. Yes, entrap me-I-who q moment ago
stood up for you before these gentlemen, and
said you could not liel Bah!"
Struck only by the wild extravaganza. of her
speech and temper. Clarence did not know that
when women are most illogical they are apt to
be most sincere. and. from a mans standpoint,
her unreasoning deductions appeared TO him
only as an afectation TO gain time for thought
or . theatrical display to dazzle, like Susy's.
And he was turning, half CONTEMPORARY, away
when abe again faced him with flashing eyes:
well. hear mel / accept l leave here at
once %. join my own people, my own friends
those who understand me-put what construc-
tton on IL you choose. DO your, worst You
cannot do more TO separate US than you have
done Just now"
She left him and ran up the steps. with an ex-
travagant return OF her old occasional nymph-
like gracefulness-the mo yement of a woman
who has never borne chtldren-And a switch OF
her long skirts that he m for many a
day after as she disappeared In the corridor.
BE remained looking after her-tndignAnt
outraged. and-unconVfncedI Then there was .
rafting at the gate.
He renembsred he had locked It. He opened