The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-11-20

ment there was a flash of a bayonet in
the hedge, voice called halt" and
soldier stepped into the road.
Gen. Brant advanced, met the salute
of the picket with few formal words,
and then turned toward his fair COM
panion, as another soldier and SER
geant joined the group.
Miss Faulkner is new to the camp,
took the wrong turning, and was I'M
Willingly leaving the lines when l
joined her" He fixed his eyes keenly
on her now colorless face, but she did
not return his look. You will show
her the shortest way to quarters" he
continued to the sergeant, land should
! again conduct her home-but without
OBTAINING or reporting her."
He lifted his cap, remounted his
horse and rode away as the young girl.
with 4 proud, Indifferent step, moved
down the road with the sergeant. A
mounted officer passed him and sa
luted-it was one of his own staff.
From some strange instinct he knew
that he had witnessed the scene, and
from some equally strange intuition he
was annoyed by it. But he continued
his way, visiting one or two outposts
and returned by long dctour to his
quarters. AS he stepped upon the
veranda he saw Miss Faulkner at the
lotion of the garden talking with some
one across the hedge. By the aid of
his glass he could recognize the shape
ly figure of the mulatto woman which
he had seen before. But by its aid he
also discovered that she was CARRYING
Il flower exactly like the one which Miss
Faulkner still held in her hand. Had
she been with Miss Faulkner in the
lane-and if so. why had she disap-
pcared when he came up? 1mpelled
by something stronger than mere GU
riosity. he walked quickly down the
garden, but she evidently had noticed
him, for she quickly disappeared. Not
caring to meet Miss Faulkner again, he
retraced his steps, resolving that he
would on the first opportunity per-
sonally examine and interrogate this
new visitor. For if she were to take
Miss Faulkner's place even in a subor-
dinate capacity-this precaution was
clearly within his rights.
He reentered his room and seated
himself at his desk before the dis
patches. orders and reports awaiting
him. He found himself, however, work
ing half mechanically, and recurring to
his late interview with Miss Faulkner
in the lane. If she had any inclination
to act the spy, or to use her position
here as means of communicating with
the enemy's lines, he thought he had
thoroughly frightened her. Neverthe-
less, now, for the first time he was in
,clined to accept his chiefs opinion of
her. She was not only too clumsy and
inexperienced. but she totally lacked
the self-restraint of a spy. Her nerv-
Gus agitation in the lane was due to
something more disturbing than his
mere possible intrusion upon her conf
dcnce with the mulatto.
On the contrary, it seemed to be per-
sonal to himself. He recalled the sin
gular significance of her question::
Then it is war;" Herecaued her strange
allusion to his wife; was it merely the
outcome of his own foolish confession
on their first interview. or was it n
concealed ironical taunt? Having sat |
isfied himself that she was not likely to |
imperil his public duty in any way, he
was angry with himself for speculat-
ing further. But, although he still felt |
toward her the same antagonism she |
had at first provoked, he was conscious |
that she was beginning to exercise a
strange fascination on him.
Diminishing her at last with an effort, |
he finished his work and then rose and |
unlocking closet took out small dis |
patch box to which he intended to in |
trust few more important orders and
memoranda. As he opened it with. a l