Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1896-12-17
PART II.
CHAPTER III.

PART II.
CHAPTER III.
Called 10 "A general council of officers
at divisional headquarters the next day,
Brant had little time for further specu-
lation regarding his strange guest But
a remark from the division commander
that he preferred to commit the general
plan of movement then under discus
sion 10 the memories rather than 10
written orders in the ordinary routine.
seemed 10 show that his chief still sus-
pected the existence of a spy. He there
fore tosehim of his late interview With
Miss Faulkl->r and her probable with
drawal in favor Of a mulatto neiphbor
The division commander received the
information with Indifference. They're
much too clever to employ a hussy like
that, who shows her hand at every
turn-either As a spy or a messenger Of
spies--and the mulattoes are too stupid.
20 say nothing of their probable fidelity
TO us. No, general. il we are watched. il
is by an eagle and not a hooking bird
Miss Faulkner has nothing WORSE about
her than her tongue. and there isn't the
niggcr blood in the whole south that
would risk moose for her. or for any
of their masters or mistresses.
IL was therefore, perhaps, Nth some
mitigation Of his usual critical severity
that ne saw her walking before him
alone in the lane as he rode home TO
quarters. She was apparently lost ia
a half impatient, half moody reverie
which even the trotting hoof-beats of
his own and orderly's horses had not
disturbed. From time TO time she
struck she myrtle hedge beside her
with the head of huge flower which
hung by it's stalk from her lisiless
hands, or held il TO her face as if TO
;nhale it's perfume. Dismissing his or
DERBY by n side path he rode gently for
ward, but 20 his surprise, without turn
ing or seeming 10 be aware of his pres
-ence. she quickened her pace. and even
appeared to look from side to side for
some avenue OF escape. II only TO end
matters he was Obliged TO ride quickly
forward TO her side, where he threw
himself from his horse, flung the reins
on his arm, and began 10 walk beside
her. She At first turned n slightly
flushed cheek away from him. and then
looked up with a purely simulated
start of surprise.
Il ~. nf-aid,'' ~ -s,ia, Sv.tI,, 49,
! am the first 10 break my OWN order
in regard 10 any intrusion on your pri-
yacy. ISut ! wanted to ask YOU IL !
could give you any aid whatever in the
change you think of making" He was
quite sincere. had been touched by her
manifest disturbance, and despite his
masculine rclcnilessness of criticism he
Lad IN Intuition of feminine suffering
that was in itself feminine.
Meaning that You are in hurry TO
get rid OF me-" she said curtly, without
raising her eyes.
Meaning that only wish 20 ex-
prdite a business which ! think is I'M
pleasant 20 you, but which, believe you
have undertaken from unselfisle devo-
ton"
The scant expression of a reserved
nature is sometimes more attractive TO
women than the most fluent vivacity.
Possibly there WIS also IA melancholy
grace in his sardonic soldiers manner
that affected her, for she looked up
aud said impulsively:
You think SOP"
Du: he met her eager eyes with some
surprise. Il certainly do" he replied
more coldly. Il can imagine your
feelings on finding your uncle's home
in the possession Of your enemies. ard
your presence under the family roof
only sufferance. I can hardly he
liere il a pleasure TO you or a task you
would have accepted for yourself
alone"
"Eut." she said. turning from him
wickedly. what II I did il only to excite
my revenge; what if knew il would
give me courage TO entice my people TO
carry the way into your own homes,
10 make you of the north feel as feel,
and taste our bitterness"
could easily understand that too"
he returned with listless GOODNESS, "al-
though don't admit that revenge is an
unmixed pleasure even to woman"
"A woman" she repeated, indignant
~. There is no sex in a war like this"
You are spelling your flower" he
said quietly. lit is very pretty-and a
native one. too-not an !. sader-nor
even trsnsplanted. May look at it?"
She hesitated, half recoiling for an
instant. and her hand trembling. Then
suddenly and abruptly she said with
h''fieric little laugh: Take it-then,"
AZ almost thrust il in his hand.
IL certainly was pretty flower. not
unlike lily in appearance, with hell
like cup and long anthers covered with
a fine pollen like red dust As he lifted
ID 70 his face TO inhale its perfume she
uttered slight cry and snatched il
from his hand.
"Therei" she said with the same ner-
vous laugh. II knew you would
ought 10 have warned you. The pollen
comes of SO easily, and leaves a stain.
And you've got some on your cheek.
Look," she continued, taking her hand
kerchief from her pocket and wiping
his cheek. .'see therei"- The delicate
cambria showed blood red streak.
1t grows in a swamp" she con-
tinued in the same excited strain, I'VE
call IL dragons teeth-like the kind
that was sown in the story. you know.
We children used to find il and then
paint our faces and lips with it. We
rallied il our rouge. ! was almost
tempted TO try IL again when I found il
Just now. 1t took me back so to the old
times"
Following her odd manner rather
than her words, as she turned her face
toward him suddenly. Brant was in
clined 10 think that she had tried il al
ready. so scarlet was her cheek. nut it
paled again under his cold
scrutiny.
"you must miss the old times" he