The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-01-14
C l. A R ( N C E.
Continued From Sixth Column First Page.

Brant resolved to go.
The moon was high as the carriage hurled
him out of the still sitting avenues toward
the Soldiers Home. a sylvan suburb fire.
quented by cabinet ministers and the presi-
dent, where the good senator had de
creed ;" like Kubla rahn," a stately pleas
ure dome" to entertain his friends and
partisans. AS they approached the house
the trembling light, like fire flies through
the leaves, the warm silence, broken only
by military band playing drowsy waltz
on the veranda, and the heavy odors OF
jasmine in the air thrilled Brant with
a sense of shame he thought of his
old comrades i'm the field. But this was
presently dissipated by the uniforms that
met him I'm the hall with the presence OF
some of his distinguished superiors. At the
head OF the stairs, with circlng pack-
ground of the shining crosses and ribbons
OF the diplomatic corps stood Susy, her
bare arms and neck glittering with dla-
rnonds, her face radiant with childlike vi
yacity. 4 significant pressure of her little
glove as he made his bow seemed TO be
his only welcome but moment later she
caught his arm. You've yet TO know him.,
she said In a half whisper. HE thinks
good deal OF himself. just like Jim. But
lac makes others believe it, and that's where
poor Jim shipped up" She paused before
the man thus Enthusiastically disposed of
and pcsented Bant. 1t was the man he
A glance from his shrewd eyes, accustomed
to the Weighing of mems weaknesses and
ambitions aud a few hurried phrases APP
parently satisfied him that Brant was not
at the moment important or available and
the two men a moment later drfted easily
apart. Brant sauntered listlessiy through
the crowded rooms half remorscfully con-
scious that he had taken some irrevocdble
step. and none the less assured by the
presence of two or three reporters and cor
respondents who were logging his steps,
or the gianccs Of two or three pretty wo-
men, whose curiosity had evidently been
aroused by the singular abstraction OF this
handsome, distinguished, but sadonic
looking officer. But the next moment he
was singularly interested.
4 tail young woman had just moved into
the center of the room with an indolent,
yet supple gracefulness that seemed famil-
Jar TO him. \ change in position suddenly
revealed her face. 1t was Miss Faulkner.
Previously lie had only known her in the
riding habit of confederate gray, which she
had At first affected, in the light morn
ing muslin dress she had worn at Cray
oaks. IL seemed to him tonight that the
careless elegance of her fun dress became
her stu more; that the pretty willfulness
OF her chin and shoulders was chastCned
and modified by the pearls around her fair
throat. Suddenly their eyes met; her face
paled yisiby; he fancied that she almost
leaned against her companion for support;
then she met his glance again with a face
into which the color had as suddcily
rushed, but with eyes that seemed TO pe
appealing To him even to the point of pain
and fri-h.. Brant was not conceited. lie
could see that the girls agitation was
not the effect OF any mere personal in
huence in his recognition, but of something
clsl. lie turned hastily away. When he
looked again she was gone.
hole 11f.N rt-4rh
irritation. Did she think him such fool IS
| 10 imperil her safety by openly recognizing
her without her consent? Did she think
J he would dare TO presume upon the service
/ she had done hlm2 Or. more outrageous
thougth,-had she heard of his disgrace,
known It's cause and feared he would drag
her into disclosure TO save himself? No,
no. She could not think that. She had
perhaps regretted what she had done iu
a freak OF girlish chivalry. she had re-
turned 10 her old feelings and partisanship;
she was Only startled At .aeeQnvi ,tae sin.
hereafter and she should know il. Any yet
yes. there was "A yet" Tor he could not
forget-indeed. in the past three weeks
il had been more often before him than
ne cared 20 think--that she was the one
human being who had been capable or a
great act OF self-sacriice for him-ber
enemy, her accuser-thc man who had
scarcely treated her civiIy. lie was asham-
occurred 10 him at the bedside OF his wife:
az the hour of her escape; even on the fatal
slope on which he had been struck down.
And now this fond allusion must 40 with the
rcst-the girl who had served him so 10y
ally was ashamed OF it. \ bitter smile
crossed his face.
well, / don't wonder. Here are an the
women asking me who is that good-looking
MePhistopheles. with the burning eyes. who
Is proving around my rooms as If search
ing Tor victim. Why, you're smiling for
all the world Ike poor Jim, when he used
70 do the Red Avenger."
Susy's voice, an Illustration, recalled him
10 himself Furious / may well he" he
said, with a geutler smile. although his
eyes Still SittCrcd, furious that have 20
wait until the one woman / came 20 see
the one woman / have not seen fer 50
long. while these puppets have been night
~ dancing before hcr-can give me a few
moments from them TO tank OF the ola
days"
In his reaction h. was quite sincere, al
though he felt a slight sense of remorse as
ne saw the quick, faint color rise. as ia
those old days even through the tonghts
powder on her face.
That's like the old Kla'uns," she said.
with q slight pressure OF his arm, "but
-, viii not have "a chance To speak uuti
late. When they are nearly all gone you
wil take me TO get little refreshment,
ana Wen have a chat in the conservatory.
Buj you must drop that awfully wicked
look, and make yourself generally agree
able 10 those women until then"
10 Was perhaps part of this reaction which
enabled him 10 obey his hostess's CONF
mands with a certain recklessness that
however. seemed TO be in keeping with the
previous satanic reputation ne had, All
uh-ausclOusly. achieved. The women lis
tened 10 tine cynical fippaucy OF the good
looking soldier with an undssuiset admiral
lion. which, ia turn, excited curiosity ana
envy from his own sex. lie saw The Whls-
rered questioning. the lifted eyebrows, the
scornf,il snrusring OF shouldcrs-and knew
that the story of his disgrace was IN the
- f..r tLlIe n.LN nNnLLeL MIN %