The Washington times., 1895-01-20
THE SUNDAY TMES PRCE OF LONG AND SHORT GOOD STORIES

some restraint. .,s Luckily the department
knows nothing of it,
.Nor would any one ever have known from
me, said Bfant. eagerly. II trust that she
did not think-that you, sir-did not for an
instant believe that +"
"Oh. dear, no. Nobody would have be-
lieved you'll It was her free confidence to me.
That was what made the affair 80 difficult to
handle. For even her bringing your dispatch
to the division commander looked bad Tor
yon-and you know he even doubted lis au-
| thenticity"
docs she-does Miss Faulkner-know the
spy was my wife?" hesitated Brant.
The President twisted himself in his chair,
so rs to regard Brant more gravely with his
| deep set eyes. and then thoughtfuily rubbed
his leg. Don't let US travel out OF the
record, general" he said after Pause. But
as the color surged into Brant's cheek, he
raised his eyes 20 the ceiling and said in half
humorous recollection:
mo. | think that fact was first gathered
| from your other friend, Mr.. Hooker. !"
.Hooker!' said Brant, Indignantly. Ibid he
come here?''
pray don't destroy my faith in Mr..
Hooker, general said the President in half
weary, half-humorous depreciation. don t
tell me that any of his inventions are true,
| Leave me at least that magnificent liar-the
one perfectly inteliigible witness you have.
! For from the time that he first appeared here
! with n grievance and n claim Tor COM
! mission, he has been an unspeakabe Joy to
me and n convincing testimony to you. Other
witnesses have been partisans and preiudiced.
| Mr.. Hooker was frankly true to himself.
/ How else should | have known of the care
you took to disguise yourself, save the honor
OF your uniform. and run the risk OF being
! shot rs an unknown spy at your wifes side,
| except from his magnificent version OF his
| part in ii? How else should i have known
| thu Stnry n y-ou diapnvarV nf the California
| conspiracy. except from his supreme betray al
| of it, with himself as the hero? No, you must
not forget to thank Mr. Hooker-when you
| neet him.
| Miss Faulkner is at present more accessi-
bic. She is calling on come members OF my
family in the next room. Shall leave you
| with her?"
Brant rose with pale face and quickly
throbbipe heart AS the President, glancing at
| the clock, untwisted himself from the chair
and shook himself out at full length and 90
| gradually TO his feet. Your wish for active
service is granted, Gen. Brant," he said.
| slowly, land you Will at once rejoin your old
division commander, who is now at the head
of the old Tenth Army Corps. But" he said,
| after a deliberate pause, there are Ger ain
rules and regulations Of your service that
| even cannot, with decent respect to your de-
partment, override You will, therefore, un-
derstand that you cannot rejoin the army in
| your former position"
The slight flush that came to Brant's cheek
quickly passed.. And there was only the un-
mistakable sparkle OF renewed youth in his
frank eyes as hs said: LET me go ito the front
again. Mr.. President, and care not how"
The President smiled, and, laying his heavy
hand on Brants shoulder. pushed him gently
toward the door OF the inner room. Il was
about to say, he added, as he opened the
door, THAT it would be necessary for you tc
reoip your promoted commander as major
general And, he continued, lifting his
voice as he gently pushed his guest into the
room. "he hasn't even thanked me for it, Mis-:
Faulkner
The door closed behind him. and he stood
for moment dazed, and still hearing the dis
tant voice OF the President i'll the room ht
had just quilted, welcoming new visitor
But the room before him, opening into con
servatory, was empty save for single figure
that turned ihalf-timldly. half-mischjeyousl,
toward him. The same quick, sympathetic
glance was in both their faces; the SANE
timid. happy look in both their eyes. H'
moved quickly to her side.
''1hen you knew that-that woman wa
my wle?' he said, hurriedly. as he graspeC
her hand.
. She cast n halEappealing look ut his face
half-irightened one around the room and Il
an open door beyond.
Let US, she said family. "go into the con
servatory."
1t is but few years ego that the humbl
cbronieler OF these pages moved with won
derinc crowd OF sightscers in the gardens o
the White House. His attention was attracted
by an erect, handsome. sodieriy looking man
with a beard and moustache slightly streaket
with gray. who, with stately lady on hi
arm. was pointing out the var Gus objects o
interest to boy OF twelve or fourteen at thei
side
And although. rs told you this house
reserved only for the President OF the Unite,
States and his family" said the gentleman
smilingiy, lin that little conservatory pro
posed TO your mother"
"Ob Clarence, how can you?" said the lady
reproyingly. You know it was long alte
that
fTHE END.