The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-12-24
HE WEEKLY "a

NV sword and knowledge of injin fghtin'
20 Uncle Sam Drifted into big pork con-
tract AT St Louis with Fremont. Been at
il ever since. Offered commission in the
reeslar service lots o times. Refused"
'?Why?" asked Brant demurely.
s'Too much West Point starch around to
suit me-" returned Hooker. darkly. And
TOO many spies"
''Spies?' echoed Brant, abstractedly. with
a momentary "reminiscences of Miss Faux
ner; s,,o. >. -, ,,.,. .,,,,
logged mystery. 'One half of Washington is
watching tother half, and from the presi-
dents wife down. most of the women is Sc
Brant suddenly fixed his keen eyes on his
guest. But the next moment he reflected
that IT was only Jim Hooker's usual speech,
smiled again and said more gently:
And how is Mrs Hooker?'
Mr. Hooker fixed his eyes on the ceiling.
rose. pretended TO look out of the window;
then taking his seat again by the table, as
II fronting an imaginary audience and pull
Ing slowly at his gantlets. after the usual
theatrical indication of perfect sang-trold,
said
There amt any"
Good heavens!' said Brant with genuine
emotion. II beg your pardon-really L
Mrs. Hooker and me are divorced CON
tinued Hooker. slightly changing his attl-
tude and leaning heavily on his saber with
his eyes still on his fanciful audience.
There was-you understand lightly toss
ing his gauntleis aside-'incompatibility of
a low, bitter, scornful laugh, which, how
ever. produced the distinct impression in
Brants mind that up TO that moment he
had never had the slightest feeling in the
matter whatever.
You seemed to be on such good terms
with each other" murmured Brant vague
'Seemedr' said Hooker bitterly glancing
sardorically at an ideal second row IN the
Pit before him-'yes, seemed! There We're
other differences-social and political. You
understand that-you have suffered, too. tie
reached out his hand and pressed Brants
in heavy effusiveness. But he continued,
haughtily, lightly tossing his glove again.
I'VE are also men of the world-we let that
, pass-' And il was possible that he found
the strain Of his present attitude TOO great
for he changed 60 an easier position
But" said Brant. curiously. Il always
thought that Mrs. Hooker was intensely
union and northern"
Put on said Hooker. in his natural
voice.
''But you remember the incident of the
flag persisted Brant.
Mrs. Hooker was always an actress,
said Hooker significantly. But" he added
cheerfully. Mrs. Hooker is now the wife
Of Senator Bornpointer. one of the wealth
lest and most powerful republicans IN
"Reminiscences the patronage OF the
whole west in his vest pOc6et!'
Yet. If she IS not a repubhean-why ala
sh-'-hegan Braut--
For a purpose" responded Hooker. dark
". But he added again with greater
CheerfulneSS, she belongs To the very elite
OF Washington society Goes to All the Tor
the white house. Her picture is in all the
nrst-class illustrated papers"
The singular but unmlstakable pride Of
the man in the Importance of the wife from
whom he was divorced, and for whom he
did not care, would have offended Brant 5
delicacy. or at least have excited his ridi-
cule but for the reason that ne was more
deeply stung by Hooker's alusion TO his own
wife and his degrading smilitude of their
two conditions. But he dismissed the form
er as part OF Hooker's invincible and still
boyish extravaganza, and the latter as part
of his equally characteristic assumption
Perhaps he was conscious, too, notwith
standing the lapse or years and the con
that he deserved little delicacy from the
hands of Susy's husband.
Nevertheless. he dreaded to hear him
speak again of her. And the fear was real
lied in "A question.
Does she know YOU are here?'
"Who?' said Brant CURLY.
Your wife. That isl reckon she's your
II do not know that she knows" returned
Brant quietly. He bad reEained his self
'-Susy-Airs. Senator Bornpointer, that is''
late w,fe's new title. allowed that she'd
.son.;, abroad on n secret mission from the
heads over there. she. was sood at t"pin!
N nS,;;; si@ss,'@W s";ys rS
could. She seemed TO drop out OF sight a
year ago. Some said one thing and some
said another But you can bet your bottom
dollar that Mrs. Senator BoraPOintcr. who
knows how TO pun all the wires IN Washing
ton. will know ii any one does
But is Mrs. Bornpointer really isaffccted
and southern sympathiZcr?' said Brant,
cor Is IL only caprice or fashion, While
speaking ne had risen with half-abstract-
ed face and had gone TO the window where
he stood in a lettering attitude. Presently
he opened the window and stepped outside
Hooker wonderingly followed him. one or
two officers had already stepped out OF their
rooms and We're standing upon tho Vcranda;
another had halted in the path. Then one
re-entered the house, reappeared with his
cap and sword in his hand ami ran lightly
toward the guardhouse. \ slight cracking
noise seemed to come from beyond the
garden wall.
What's up" said Hooker, with staring
eyes
Picket firing"
The cracking suddenly became 2 long
rattle. Brant re-entored the room and pick
ed M his hat.
''You'H excuse me for 4 few moments"
\ hollow sound shook the house.
Whats THAR gasped Hooker.
Cannon"