The Irish standard., 1896-05-16

ptbOeO III governmental lTc16S IOI tASA1
sacrificing fidelity to the flag. His in
formant, an official in the state depart
ment. added that Miss Matilda might
have been good deal Of a madcap at
the outbreak of the war, for the sisters
had q brother in the confederate serv-
ice, but that she had changed greatly,
and, indeed, within month. "For," he
added, "she was at the white house for
the first time last week, and they say
the president talked more to her than
any other woman"
The, indescribable sensation with
which this simple information filled
Brant startled him more than the news
itself Hope, joy, fear, distrust and de-
SPAR alternately thrilled him. He re-
called Miss Taulkner'salmost agonizing
glance of appeal to him in the drawing
room at Susy's, and it seemed to be
equally consistent with the truth OF
what he had just heard-or some mon
strous treachery and deceit Of which
she might be capable. Even now she
might be a secret emissary of some spy
within the presidents family; she
might have been in correspondence
with some traitor in the Boompointer
clique, and her imploring glance only
the result of fear Of exposure. Or,
again, she might have truly recanted
after her escapade at Gray Oaks, and
feared only his recollection Of her as
go-between of spies. Aud yet both OF
these Prescriptions were inconsistent
with her conduct in the conservatory.
1t seemed impossible that this impul-
sive woman, capable Of doing what he
had himself known her to do, and
equally sensitive to the shame or Joy
of such impulses, should be the same
heartless woman of society, who had so
coldly recognized and parted from him.
But this interval Of doubt was transi-
tory. The next day he received dis
patch from the war department, order
ing him to report himself for duty at
once. With beating heart he hurried
to the secretary. But that official had
merely left memorandum with his
assistant, directing Gen.. Brant to &C
company some fresh levies to q camp OF
occupation near the front for ''organi-
zation." Brant felt q chill of disap-
pointment. Duties Of this kind had been
left to dubious, regular army veterans,
hurriedly displaced general officers
and favored detrimentals. But If it
was not restoration, it was no longer
inaction, and it was at least a release
from Washington.
It was, also, evidently the result OF
some influence, but hardly that of the
Boompointers, for he knew that Susy
wished to keep him at the capital. Was
there another power at work to send
him away to Washington? His pre-
vious suspicion returned. Nor were
they dissipated when the chief of the
bureau placed letter before him with
the remark that it had been 'intrusted
to him by lady, with the request that
it should be delivered only into his
own hands. .'She did not know your
hotel address, but ascertained yot were
to call here. She said it was OF impor-
lance There is no mystery about it,
general" continued the, official with
mischievous glance at Brant's hand
some, perplexed face, although it's
from a very pretty woman-whom we
all know"
..Mrs. Boompointer?" suggested
Brant with affected lightness.
It was a maladroit speech. The Off
calls face darkened. "We have not yet
become a postal department for the
Boompointers, general" he: said. drily,
'ehowever great their influence else
where. 1t was from rather different
style of woman-Miss Faulkner. You
will receive your papers later at your
hotel, and leave tonight"
Brant's unlucky slip was still potent
enough to divert the official attention,
or he would have noticed the change
in his visitors face, and the abruptness
of his departure.
Once in The street, Brant tore of the
envelope, But beneath it was another,
on which was written in delicate, re-
fined hand: please do not open this
until you reach your destination"
Then she knew he was going! And
this was her influence. All his susp1-
cions again returned. She knew he was
going through the lines, and this very
uPHOlA OiASAlIs lAAtoo5A AAOA AAAANSAAS~s
might be plot to serve her and the en-
envy. Was this letter which she was
intrusting to him the cover of amissive
to her southern friends, which she ex-
pected him to carry, as return for her
own act Of self-sacrifce?, Was this
the appeal she had been making to his
chivslry, his graft tude, his honor? The
perspiration stood in beads on his fore
head. What defect lay hidden in his
nature that seemed to make him an
easy victim of these intriguing women?
He had not even theexcuse Of gallantry.
Less susceptible to the potencies of the
sex than most men, he was still COM
PEELED to bear that reputation. He re-
11,embered his coldness to Miss Faulk-
ner In the first days of their meeting,
and her effect upon his subalterns.
Why had she selected him from among
them, when she could have modelled the
others like wax to her purpose? Why?
And vet with the question came pos
sible answer that he hardly dared to
think of; that in its very vagueness
seemed to fill him with stimulating
thrill and hopefulness. He quickened !
his pace. He would take the letter and
vet Dc master Of himself when the time
came to open it..
That time came three days later. In
his tent on Three Pine Crossing. As he
broke open the envelope he was re-
lieyef} *, find that it contained no other