The Irish standard., 1896-04-18
coPrRlcAr. 1894. BY BRET HAsrn

what even at this time itwSs thought
unwise and unstrategic to do-who had
held weak position. of apparently no
Importance, under the mandate OF an
incomprehensible order from his supe-
tsor-which at best only asked for
sacrifice and was rewarded with VIC
tory. He had decimated his brigade,
but the wounded ana dying had cheered
him as he passed, and. the survivors
had pursued the enemy until the lbugle
called them back. For such record he
looked Sill too young and even effemi-
nate, albeit his handsome face was
Clark and serious aud his manner taci-
turn.
His quick eye had already caught
sight Of the rifed body of the officer and
contracted. As the captain of the de-
tail seluted him he said curtly:
II thought the orders were to FIRE
upon anyone desecrating the dead ?'
They are, general, but the hyenas
don't give us q chance That's ell yon-
der poor fellow saved from their claws, y
replied the officer as he held up tho
sealed packet, Tt has no address"
The general took It, examined the en-
velope, thrust it into his belt and said:
81 VIII take charge Of it,"
The sound OF horses hoofs came
from the rocky roadside beyond the
bush. Both men turned A number
OF field officers were approaching.
"The division staff" said the captain.
In lower voice, falling back.
They came slowly forward, central
figure on gray horse leading here, as
in history. A short, thick-set man
With grizzled beard closely cropped
around an inscrutable mouth, and the
serious fornaiity OF a respectable coun-
try deacon in his aspect, which even the
single star on the shoulder-strap Of his
loose tunic and his soldierly seat in the
saddle could not entirely obliterate
He had evidently perceived the general
Of the brigade and quickened his horse
as the latter drew up. The staff fol-
slowedmore leisurely, butstillwith some
curiosity to witness the meeting Of the
first general of the army with the latest.
The division general saluted, but al
most instantly withdrew his leather
gauntlet, and offered his barred hand to
the brigadier. The words Of the heroes
are scant. The drawn-up detail, the
waiting staff listened. This was all
they heard.
"Hullock tells me you're from Cali
fornia!'
Yes, general"
"Ah! l lived there too in the early
days Wonderful country. Developed
greatly since my time, I suppose"
Great resources. Finest wheat
growing country in the world, sir. You
don't happen to know what the actual
crop was this year?"
Hardy, general, but something
enormous
Yes, always said 1t would be. Have
cigar?"
He handed his cigar case to the brig
adler Then he took one himself, light
ed i at the smouldering end of the one
lie had taken from his mouth, was
about to throw the stump carelessly
down, but suddenly recollecting him
self leaned over his horse and dropped
II carefully a few inches from the face
Of dead soldier Then Strengthening
himself in the saddle he showed his
horse against the Shrigadier, moving
him little farther on while slight
movement of his hand kept the staff
from following.
"A heavy loss herel"
I'm afraid so. general"
1T couldn't be helped. We had to
-ash ia your brigade to gain time, and
occupy the enemy until we could
shange front"
The young general looked at the
shrewd, cold eyes Of his chief Change
'front.'" be echoed
Yes. Before gun was fired ii ap-
peared thai the enemy was in com
plete possession Of all our plans, and
knew every detail of our formed move
ments. All had to be changed
The younger man now instantly IN
derstood the incomprehensible order OF
the day before. The general of division
continued, with his first touch Of Off
cial formality: You understand, there
fore, Gen. Brant, that in the face of this
extraordinary treachery tlse utmost
vigilance is required. and q complete
&C. A M j
surveillance OF your camp followers and
civilians to-detect the actual spy within
our lines or the traitor we arc harbor-
Ing who has become possessed Of this in
formation. You. will overhaul your
brigade, and weed out all suspects, and
in the position which you are to take
tomorrow and the plantation you will
occupy, you will see that your private
quarters. as well ss your lines, are
cleared Of oil but those you care much
for" lie reined IN his horse, again
extended his hand, saluted and reioined
his staff
Brig. Gen. Clarence Brant remained
for moient with his head bent in ad-
miring contemplation.o OF the coolness of
his veteran chief, under this exciting
disclosure, and the strategy with which
he had frustrated the. traitors success
! Then his eye caught the sealed packet
IN his belt. lie mechanically drew it
out and broke the seal. The envelope
was filed with paper and memoran-
dums. As he glanced at them his face
darkened and his brow knit. He glanced
quickly around him. The staff had trot-
ted away; the captain and his detail
were continuing their work at littel
distance. He took a long breath, he
was holding in his hand tracing of
their position, even OF the position he
was to occupy tomorrow, and detailed
account Of the movements, plans and