The Washington times., 1895-01-20
tile faith in your friend Matilda Faux

little faith in your friend Matilda Faux
ner."
For long time he remained mo.ioniess
with the letter in his hand then arose, or
dered his horse. and galioped away.
There was little difficulty in finding the
cemetery OF Three Pines Crossing-a hillside
sore hearsed with pine ana cypress, and
genuine devotion 10 your duty that made
you accept my poor service, from all that l
can hear you have never mai the credit OF il.
Viii YOU not try me aganI | am in more
favor here. and might yet be more success
ful in showing your superIors how true you
have 0een 10 your trust. even If you have
starred With white crosses. that in the dis
tance looked liked flowers. Still less was
the in inliug the newer marble shalt
among the older licnen spotted slabs. which
bore the simple words: Alice Benham Mar
tyr" few Confederate soldiers, under st.ll
palmer and newer wooden headstones,
carved only with initials. lay at her feet.
Braut sank on his knees beside the grave.
hut he was thrilled 10 sea that the base OF
The marble was stained with the red pollen
of the fate ul lily. whose blossoms had been
heaped upon her mound. but whose fallen
petals lay dark ana sodden in decay.
How long he remained there he did not
know. AHdghen solitary bugle from the
camp seemed 10 summon him as it had once
summoned him he!ore and he went away
rs be had gone once before 10 a separation
{ that ne now knew was for all time.
Then followed month Of superintendent
a8d drill. and the infu~ing into the little
! camp unser his instruction the spirit which
/ seemed TO be passing out OF his own life for
I ever. Saut In by alien hills on the border
1 land Of the great struggle from time to time
REPORTS reHched him OF the bitter lighting and
almost disastrous successes of his old division
commander. Orders came from Washington
! TO hurry the preparation OF his raw leYies for
! the field. aud a faint hope sDrang up in his
mind. But following it came another dis
patch ordering his return TO the Capital.
He reached il with neither hope nor fear
( so benumbed had become his spirit under
Z this last trial. and what seemed to be now
! the mockery Of his last sacrifice to his vile.
Though il was no longer question of her
life and safety. he knew that be could still
preserve her memory from stain by keeping
I her secret, even though its diyulgence might
clear his own. For that reason he had even
hesitated TO inform Susy of her death in
/ the fear that in her thoughtess Irresponsible
ity aud impulsiveness she might he tempted
/ 10 use it IN his favor. He had made his late
/ appointment plea for Withholding any pres
ent efforts to assist him. He even avoided
/ the Boompointers' house in what he believed
I was partly a duty TO the memory of his wife.
4 But he saw no inconsistencies in occasionally
extending his lonely walks TO the vicinity of
/ n foreign legation. or in being lifted with
I certain expectation at the sight of its liyeres
/ on the Avenue There was IA craving for
! sympathy in his heart, which Miss Fauikners
/ letter had awakened.
Meantime he bad reported himself for duty
at the War Department, with little hope. how
( ever. in that formaity. But he was surprised
/ the next dag when the chief of the bureau in
! formed him that his claim was before the
President.
81 was not aware that I had presented any
/ claim. he said, little haughtily.
The bureau chief looked up with some sur
| prise. This quiet, patient, reserved man had
I once or twice puzzled MIN before. Perhaps
/ should say case general he said. dryly.
! ''But the personal interest OF the highest ex-
4 ecatlve in the land strikes me as being desira-
! able in anything"
~ only mean that have obeyed the orders
of the department in reporting myself here,
now and before, said Brant, with less feel
/ ing, but none the less firmness, land should
imagine it was not the duly of soldier to
question them. which l fancy a claim or
case would imply"
He had no idea of taking this attitude be-
fore, but the disappointments of the past
! month, added 10 this first official notice OF
his disgrace had brought forward again that
dogged. reckless. yet haif-scornful determine
tion that was part of his nature.
The official smiled. Il suppose, then. you
are waiting TO hear from the President" he
sald. dryly-
II am waiting orders from the depart
ment," returned Brant, quietly, ''but whether
they originate in the President or commander
in-chief, or not, it does not seem for me to
inquire
Even when he reached his hotel this half
sa, age Indifference which had taken the place
OF his former incerttude had not changed
Il seemed TO him that he had reached the
! crisis OF his life where he was no longer re-
sponsible, but could wait superior alike to
effort or expectation. And it was with a
merely Gispassionate curiosity that he found
a note the next morning from the Presidents
private secretary informing him that the
President would see him early that day.
A few hours later he was ushered through
the public rooms OF the White House to q
more secluded part Of the household. The
messenger stopped before modest door and
knocked. 1t was opened by a tall figure, the
President himself. He reached out a long
arm to Brant. who stood hesisatingly on the
threshold, grasped his hand, ard led him into
the room. Ii had single large, elaborately
drapcd window and a magnificent medal
lioned carpet, which contrasted with the
otherwise almost appalling simplicity of the
furniture. A single plain. angular desk with
blotting pad and few sheets OF large FOOLS
cap paper upon it. waste-paper basket and
four plain armehairs completed the interior,