The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-23

BY BRET HARTE.

sown in the story, you know We
children used to find and then paint
our faces and lips with it. We called
it our rouge. 1 was almost tempted to
try it again when found it just now.
1t took me back SO to the old times.
Following her old manner rather than
her words, as she turned her face to-
i ward him suddenly, Brant was in
clined to think that. she had tried it,
already, so scarlet was her cheek. But
it presently paied again under his cold
scrutiny.
You must miss the old times" he
said, calmly. 81 am afraid you found
very little of them left, except in
these flowers"
"And hardly these" she said, bitter
ly Your troops had found a way
through the marsh and had trampled
down the bushes
Brant's brow cIouded. He remem-
bered that the brook which had run
red during the fight had lost itself in
this marsh. 1t did not increase his
liking for this beautiful, but blindly
vicious animal at his SIDE and even
his monentary pity for her was fading
fast. She was incorrigible. They
walked on for a few moments in 81
lence.
You said" she began in a gentler
and even hesitating voice, that your
wife was a southern woman"
He checked an irritated start with
difficulty.
II believe I did, he said, coldly, as
he regretted it.
And of course you taught her your
gospel-the gospel according to ST Lin
coin. o, l know" she went on, hur-
riedly, as if conscious of his irritation
and seeking to allay it. "She was a
woman and loved you, and thought
With your thoughts and saw only with
your eyes. Yes-that's the way with
us-I suppose we all do it," she added
bitterly.
"She had her own opinions" said
Brant, briefly, as he recovered him
self.
Nevertheless. his manner so decid-
eddy closed ali discussion that there
was nothing left for the young girl
but silence. But it was broken by her
in few moments in her old, contemp-
tuouS voice and manner
Pray don't trouble yourself to &C
company me any further, General
Brant. unless. of course, you are
afraid l may come across some of your
your soldiers. promise You won't
eat them
Il am afraid you must suffer my
company a little longer, Miss Faulkner,
ON account of those same soldiers" re-
| turned Brant gravely. you may not
know that this road, in which I find
you, takes you through a GORDON of
picketS If you We're alone you would
be stopped, questioned, and, failing to
give the password, you would be de-
| tanned, sent to the guard house, and
- he stopped and fixed his eyes on
her heenly as he added, Searched
You would not. dare to search a
woman!' she said, Indignantly, al
though her flush gave way to a slight
pallor.-
You said just now that there should
be no sex in a war like this returned
MS scruunizing gaze.
Then it is war;" she said quickly,
with a. white, significant face.
His look of scrutiny turned to one of
puzzled wonder. But at the same mo-
ment There was the flash of bayonet
in the hedge, a voice called ''halt," and
soldier stepped into the road
General Brant advanced, met the
salute of the picket with a few formal
words, and then turned toward his fair
companion, as another soldier and a
sergeant Joined the group.
Miss Faulkner is new to the camp
took the wrong turning, and was I'M
Willingly leaving the lines when ]. Joined
her" He fixed his eyes intently on her
now colorless face. but she did not re-
turn his look. You will show her the
shortest way to quarsecs,' he continued,
TO the sergeant, and should she at
any time again lose her way you viii
again conduct her home-but without
OBTAINING or reporting her.
He lifted his cap, remounted his
morse, and rode away as the young girl,
with g, proud indifferent step, moved
down the road with the sergeant. A
mounted officer passed him and saluted
it was one Of his own staff. From
some strange instinct ne knew~that he
had witnessed the scene, and from
some equally strange intuition he was
annoyed by it. But he continued his
way, visiting one or two outposts. and
returned by long detour to his quar-
tiers. AS The stepped upon the veranda
ne saw Miss Faulkner at the bottom of
the garden talking with some one across
the hedge. By the aid of his glasses ne
could recognize the shapely figure of
the mulatto woman which he had seen
before. But by it's aid he also dis
covered that she was carrying a flower
exactly like the one which Miss Faux
ner still held in her hand. Had she
been with Miss Faulkner in the lame
and if so, why had she disappeared
Wnen he came up? Impelled by some
thing stronger than mere curiosity, he
walked quickly down the garden, but
she evidently had noticed him, for she
as quickly disappeared. Not caring to
meet Miss Faulkner again, he retraced
ms steps, resolving that he would on
the first opportunity personally ex-
anime and interrogate this new visitor.
For if she were 10 take Miss Faulknar's
place even in a subordinate capacity
TINS precaution was clearly within his
rights.
He reentered his room and seated
himself at his desk before the dis
patches, orders, and reports awaiting
ham. He found himself, however. WORK
ing half mechanically, and recurring
to ms late interview with Miss FalIljI
ner in the lane. If she had any incl
Llation 10 act the spy, or to use her
position here as q means of communi
eating with the enemy's lines. he
thought he had thoroughly frightened
her. Nevertheless now, for the first
time, he was inclined to accent his
chiefs opinion of her She was moi
only too clumsy and inexperienced. but
she totally lacked the self restraint of
a spy Her nervous agitation in the
lane was due TO something more dis
turbing than his mere possible fntru-
sion upon her condolences with the
mulatto.
On the contrary, it seemed TO be
personal to himself. He recalled the
singular significance of her questions.
Then it is war; He recalled her
strange allusion TO his wife; was it
merely the outcome of his own foolish
confession on their first interview. or
was it concealed ironical taunt?
Having satisfied himself that she was
not likely to inaperil mis- public duty
in any way, he was angry with him
al c,.n. .l.,.ts L..