The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-10-17
PART II.
CHAPTER III.

Called TO 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 TO the memories rather than TO
written orders in the ordinary routine,
seemed TO show that his chief still sus-
pected the existence of a spy. He there
fore told him of his late interview with
Miss Faulkner and her probable with
drawal in favor of a mulatto neighbor.
The division commander received the
information with Indifference. They're
much too clever to employ hussy like
that, who shows her hand at every
turn either as q spy o. messenger of
spies-and the mulattoes are toe stupid,
to say nothing of their probable fidelity
TO us. No, general, if we are watched, it
In by an eagle and not a moclxng 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 "a moose for her, or for any
of their masters or mistresses."
1t was therefore. perhaps. with some
mitigation of his usual critical severity
that he saw her walking before him
alone in the lane as he rode home TO
quarters. She was apparently lost in
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 the myrtle hedge beside her
with the head of huge flower which
hung by it's stalk from her listless
hands, or held il TO her face as If to
inhale its perfume. Diminishing his or
derby by "A side path he rode gently for
ward, but TO his surprise, without turn
ing or seeming to be aware OF his pres
cnce. she quickened her pace. and even
appeared to look from side 20 side for
some avenue OF escape. If only to end
matters hc was obliged TO ride quickly
forward 10 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 a slightly
flushed aheck away from him, and then
looked up with a purely simulated
start of surprise.
II am afraid" he said. gently. that
i am the first TO break my own orders
in regard TO any intrusion on your pri-
vacy. But | wanted to ask you If
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
"reminiscences OF criticism he
had an intuition OF feminine suffering
that was in itself feminine.
"Mcaning that you are in hurry 20
get rid of me-" she said curtly, without
raising her eyes.
meaning that / only wish TO ex
pedite business which | think is UNI
pleasant to you. but which, believe you
have undertaken from unselfish devo-
ton"
The scnnt expression OF n reserved
nature is sometimes more attractive 10
women than the most fluent viyacity.
Possibly there was also n melancholy
grace in his sardonic soldiers manner
that affected her. for she looked up
and said impulsively:
"You think SOP"
But he met her eager eyes with some
surprise. IL certainly do" he replied |
more coldly. 81 can imagine your
feelings on finding your uncle's home |
In the possession OF your enemies, and |
your presence under the family roof |
only suffernncc. / can hardly be-
lieve IL a pleasure to you or n task you |
would have accepted for yourself
alone"
But" she said, turning from him
what IL did il only 20 excite |
my revenge; what IL knew 10 would |
give me courage TO cntice my people 20
carry the way into your own homes.
To make you of the north feel as | feel,
and taste our bitterness"
al could easily understand that too"
he returned with listless GOODNESS, "al-
though Ion't admit that revenge Is an
pleasure even TO woman"
~ woman" she repeated. indignant
". There il no sex I'm war like this"
lyon are spelling your flower" he
said quietly. 1t is very pretty-and
native one. too--not an invader-nor
sven transplanted. May look at it?"
Sho hesitnted. half rccoiling for an
Instant. and her hand trembling. Then
suddenly and abruptly she said with
hysteric little laugh: Take it--thcn."
and almost thrust II In his hand.
a certainly was a pretty flower, not
unlike a lily in appearance. with bell-
ike cup and long anthcrs COVERED with
! fine pollen like red dust. As he lifted
a 20 his face 20 inhale It's perfume she
uttered a slight cry and xnatchcd II
rom his hand.
"Thcrel" abe -aid with the same ncr-
rous laugh. "A knew you WOULD J.