The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-10-10

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'.Sce who that woman is who just
passed, Mr.. Martin. She doesn't seem
TO belong TO the house."
The young officer rose. put on his cap
and departed. In few moments he
returned.
"Was she tall. sir--of a good figure
and very straight?"
"Yes."
''She is n servant of our neighbors,
the Manlys, who occasionally visits the
rervants here. A mulatto, think"
Brant reflected. Many of the mulat-
tos and negresses were Of good figure.
and the habit of carrying burdens on
their heads gave them singularly
erect carriage.
The lieutenant looked at his chief.
'Have you any orders to give con-
corning her, general?"
"No," said Brant, after a moments
pause. and turned away.
The officer smiled. II seemed a good
story 10 tell at mess of this human
weakness of his handsome, reserved
and ascetic-loolSing leader.
A few moments nfterwnrd Brant was
interrupted over his reports by the al
most abrupt entrance of the officer OF
the day. His face was flushed, and IL
was evident that only the presence of
his superior restrained his excitement
He held paper in his hand.
"a lady presents this order and pass
from Washington. countersigned by the
division general"
"a lady?"
But she has not only declined the most
ordinary civilities and courtesies we
have offered her, but has insultcd Mr..
Martin and myself grossly, and de-
mands TO be shown TO you alone"
Brant took the paper. 1t was n spe-
cial order from the president, passing
Miss Matilda Faulkner through the fed
eral lines, TO visit her uncle's home,
known as "Grey Oaks" now held and
occupied as the headquarters of Brant's
brigade, in order 20 arrange for the pres
ervation and disposal OF certain family
effects and private property that still
remained there, or to take or carry away
such property, and invoking all neces-
sary aid and assistance from the United
States forces in such occupancy. IL was
countersigned by the division com
mander. IL was perfectly regular and
OF undoubtcd authenticity. lie had
heard of passes OF this lSind--the terror
of the army--issued in Washington UNI
der some strange controlling influence
and against military protest. but he did
not let his subordinate see the uneasi-
ness with which ID filed him.
"Show her in" he said. quietly.
But she had already entered, brushing
scornfully past the officer, and drawing
her skirt aside as IL contaminated. A
very pretty southern girl, scornful and
red-lipped, clad in gray riding habit,
and still carrying her riding whip
clenched ominously in her slim, gaunt-
letted hand.
you have my permit in your hand"
she said, brusquely hardly raising her
eyes 10 Brant--"I suppose it's all
straight enough, and even if IL isn't, |
don't reckon to be kept waiting with
those hirelings"
"Your permit is straight enough
Miss Faulkner" said Brant, slowly
reading her name from the document
before him, "but as IL does not seem TO
include perm ssion TO insult my officers
you will perhaps first allow them to re-
tire" Ho made a sign to the officer,
who passed out of the door. As IL
closed he went on in gentle, but coldly
unimpassioned voice. II perceive you
are n southern lady, and, therefore,
need not remind you that IL IS not con
sidered good form to treat even the
slaves OF those one does not like unciv-
lily, and must therefore expect that
you wi!l keep your active animosity for
myself"
The young girl lifted her eyes. She
had evidently not expected to meet n
man SO young, so handsome, so refined,
and so coldly invincible in manner
Still less was she prepared for that kind
of antagonism. In keeping up her pre-
concerted attitude toward the north
ern hircling" she had been met with
official brusqueness, contemptuous ST.
lence or aggricyed indignation--but
nothing as cxasperating as this. She
even fancied that this elegant but sar-
donic-looking soldier was inwardly
hooking her. She bit her red lip, but
with scornful gesture OF her riding
whip said:
81 reckon that your knowledge of
southern ladies is. for certain reasons,
not very extensive"
Pardon me. have had the honor of
marrying one"
Apparently more exasperated than
before she turned upon him abruptly.
"You say my pass Is all right. Then
presume / may attend to the business
that brought me here"
certainly, but you will forgive me IL
imagined that an expression OF con
tempt for your host was a part OF IL"
He rang a bell on the table. IL was re-
sponded to by an orderly. "Send all
the household servants here"