The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-11-13
known as Grey Oaks now held and

ervation ard disposal of certain family
effects and private property that still
remained there, or to take or carry away
such property, and invoking all neccs-
sary aid and assistance from the United
States forces in such occupancy. Il was
countersigned by the division COM
mander. 1t was perfectly regular and
of undoubtcd authenticity. He had
heard of passes of this kind-the terror
of the army-issued in Washington un-
der some strange controlling influence
and against military protest, but he did
not let his subordinate see the uneasi-
ness with which it filled him.
SHOW her in" he said, quietly.
But she had already entered. brushing
scornfully past the officer, and drawing
her skirt aside rs if contaminated. y
very pretty southern girl, scornful and
red-lipped, clad in gray riding habit,
and still carrying her riding whip
clenched ominously in her slim, gaunt-
letted hand.
you have my permit in your hand"
| she said, brusquely. hardly. raising her
eyes to Brant-''I suppose it's all
straight enough, and even if it isn't, |
don't reckon to be kept waiting with
those hirelings."
"Your permit is straight enough
Miss Faulkner" said Brant, slowly
reading her name from the document
before him, but as it does not seem TO
include permission to insult my officers
you will perhaps first allow them to re-
tire" He made 4 sign to the officer,
/ 80 h. Ae. =
closed he went on in a gentle, but coldly
unimpassioned voice. Il perceive you
are southern lady, and, therefore, l
need not remind you that it is not con-
sidered good form to treat even the
slaves OF those one does not like unciv
| lily, and 1 must therefore expect that
you will keep your active luminosity for
myself"
The young girl lifted her eyes. She
had evidently not expected to meet a
man SO young, SO handsome, so refined,
and SO coldly invincible in manner.
Still less was she prepared for that kind
of antagonism. In keeping up her pre-
concerted attitude toward the north
ern hireling" she had been met with
official brusqueness, contemptuous 81
|
nothing as eXasperating as this. She
even fancied that this elegant but sar-
donic-loolzing soldier was inwardly
mocking her. She bit her red lip, but
with a scornful gesture of her riding
whip said:
Il reckon that your knowledge of
southern ladies is, for certain reasons.
not very extensive
Pardon me. Ihave had the honor of
marrying one"
Apparently more eXasperated than
before she turned upon him abruptly.
You say my pass is all right. Then L
presume l may attend to the business
that brought me here
Certainly, but you will forgive me if
1 imagined that an expression of con-
tempt for your host was part of it. =
He rang bell on the table. 1t was re-
sponded to by an orderly. Send al!
the household servants here"
The room was presently filled with
the dusky faces of the negro rctainers.
| Here and there was the cleaning of
white teeth, but 4 majority of the as
sembly wore the true negro acceptance
of the Importance of IAN OCCASION
One or two even affected an official and
soldierly bearing. And as he fully eN-
pected there were several glances of sig
niticant recognition of the stranger.
You will give" said Brant, stcrrly.
every aid and attention to the wants
of this young lady, WIZ is here to repre-
sent the interests of your old master.
AS she will be entirely dependent upon.
you IN all things connected with her
visit here, see to it that she docs not
have to complain to me of any inatten-
tion-or to be obliged to ask for other
| assistance"
AS Miss Faulkner, albeit u trifle pale1
in the cheek, but as scornful as ever,
was about to follow the servant from
the room, Brant stopped her with a cold
ly courteous gesture:
"You will understand, therefore Miss
Faulkner, that you have your wish. and
that You will not be exposed to any
contact with the members of my mill
tary family, nor they with you"
Am 1 then to be a prisoner in this
house-and under a free pass of-your
-presidenti' she said, Indignantly.
''By no means. You are free to come
and gro and see whom you please. l
have no power to control your actions
But l have power to control theirs"
She swept furiously from the room.
THAT is quite enough to fill her with
a desire to f1irt with every man here -
said Brant to himself. with a faint
smile, butt fancy they have had taste
enough of her quality" Nevertheless,
he sat down and wrote n few lines to
the division commander, pointing out
that he had already placed the owners
private property under strict survcil-
lance, that it was cared for and per-
fectly preserved by the household serv-
ants, and that the pass was evidently
obtained as 4 subterfuge. To this he
received formal reply regrettirg that
the authorities of Washington still
found it necessary to put this kind OF
risk and burden on the army in the
field. but that the order emanated from
the highest authority and must be
strictly obeyed. At the bottom of the
page, however. was characteristic
linein pencil in the generals own hand:
"Not the kind that is dangerous" A
flush mounted Brant's cheeks. as if it
contained not only hidden but FER.
sonal significance. He thought of his
own wife.
| Singularly enough, q day or two later