The Irish standard., 1896-04-04

your unlimited presence. What may /
have to say to you, and each of you
hereafter-what I may choose to de-
! mand of you. according to your own
code of honor,"-he fixed his eyes on
Capt. 5Pinckney's-''is another ques-
b ton and one not usually discussed be-
fore lady"
'.Pardon me. A naoment-a single
moment"
1t was the voice of Col. Starbottle;
it was the frilled shirt front, the light
fy buttoned blue coat with its expand
ing lapels, like bursting petals, and
the smiling mask of that gentleman
rising above the table and bowling to
Clarence Brant and his wife with in
finite courtesy.
'eThe-er-humiliatin situation in
which we find ourselves, gentlemen
the reluctant witnesses of-er-what
we trust is only temporary disagree
1nent between our charming hostess
and the-er--gentleman whom she had
recognized under the highest title to
our consideraticn--is distressing to us
all, and would seem to amply justify
that gentleman's claims to personal
satisfaction. which | know we would
all delight to give. But that situation
rests upon the supposition that our
gathering here was of purely social
or festive nature!
1T may be-" continued the colonel,
with bland]v reflective air, that the
spectacle of these decanters and
glasses, and the nectar furnished us
by our Hebeike hostess he lifted
glass of whisky and water to his lips
while he bowed to Mrs. Brant grace
fully, "has led the gentleman to such
deduction. But when I suggest to
him that our meeting was Of busi-
ness of private nature, it strikes me
that the question of intrusion may be
fairly divided between him and our
selves. We may be even justified in
view of that privacy in asking him
if his-er--entrance to the house was
--er-coincident with his appearance
among us
"With my front door in possession
of strangers?" said Clarence, more in
reply to sudden contemptuous glance
from his wife than Starbottle's insinu-
alton. "I entered the house through
the window
'Of my boudoir, where another in
truder once broke his neck" inter-
rupted his wife with mocking laugh.
''Where I once helped this lady to re-
gain possession of her house when it
was held by another party Of Illegal
trespassers, who, however, were con-
tent to call themselves jumpers and
did not claim the privacy of gentle
men,
"Do you mean to imply, sir" began
Col. Starbottle, haughtily, '.that--"
''t mean to imply" said Clarence, with
quiet scorn, "that I have neither the
wish to know nor the slightest concern
in any purpose that brought you here,
and that when you quit the house you
take your secrets and your privacy with
YOU intact, without let or hindrance
from me-"
do. you mean to say, Mr.. Brant,"
said Judge Reeswinger, suppressing the
angry interruption of his fellows with
a dominant wave of his hand, as he
fixed his eyes on Clarence keenly, s'that
you have no sympathy with your wife's
political sentiments?" -,
81 have already given you the infor-
nation necessary to make you quit his
house, and that is all you have right
to know" returned Clarence, with fold
ed arms.
But can answer for him" said Mrs.
Brant. rising with a quyering voice
and curling lip. There is no sympathy
between us. We are as far apart as tho
poles. We have nothing in common
but the house, and his name"
"But you are husband and wife
bound together by a sacred compact"
"A compact" echoed Mrs. Brant. with
bitter laugh. Eyes! the compact that
binds South Carolina to the niger wor-
Shipping Massachusetts! The compact
that links together white and black, the
gentleman and the trader-the planter
and the poor white-the compact ct
those United States!-Bah-that has
been broken and so can this!"
Clarence's face paled. But before he
could speak there was rapid clatter-
ing at the gate and a dismounted
vaquero entered excitedly. Turning to
Mrs. Brant, he said, hurriedly:
Mother of God! the Casa is surround
ed by rabbe of mounted men. and
there is one among them even now who
demands admittance in the name of the
law"
''This is your work." said Brooks,
facing Clarence furiously, you have
brought them with you, but, by God,
they shall not save you!" He would
have clutched Clarence. but the power
full arm of Judge Beeswinger inter-
vened. Nevertheless, he still struggled
to reach Clarence, appealing to the
others. Are you fools to stand there
and let him triumph! Don't you see
the cowardly Yankee trick he's played
upon us?"
"He has not" said Mrs. Brant.
kaughtily; 81 have no reason to love
him or his frieEds--but l know he
does not lie"
"Gentlemen! Gcntlemen!" implored
Col. Starbottle, with bearing and unctu-
Gus persuasion, may I-er-remark-
that all this is far from tie question.
Are we to be alarmed because an awk-
ward rabble, no matter whence they
come, demand entrance here in the
name of the law? I am not aware of
any law in the state of California that
we are infringing By all means-ad-