The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-11-13
interest. And even now he was little

interest. And even now he was little
ashamed of what he believed was his
sensitiveress to mere conventional
criticism, which, with the instinct OF 4
proud man, he had lespised.
He was not far wrong i'll his sardonic
intuition of the effect of Ills prohibit
tion upon Miss Faulliner's feelings.
Certainly that young lady. when not
engaged in her mysterious occupation
of arranging her uncle's effects, coca
s:orally WIS seen in the garden. and
in the woods beyond. Although her
presence was the signal for the "ob-
lique" of any lounging shoulder
strap" or the vacant front Of u posted
sentry, she seemed to regard their &C.
casional proximity with less active dis
favor. Once when she had mounted the
wall to gather Il magnolia blossom, the
chair by which she had assembled rolled
over, leaving her on the wall. At 4
signal from the guard room two sap
pers and miners appeared. carrying Il
| scaling ladder, which they placed 81
| lently against the wall, and as silently
| withdrew. On another occasion the
! same spirited young lady, whom Brant
| was satisfied would have probably i'm
| periled her life under fire, in devotion
! to her cause. was brought iguominious-
! ly to bay in the field by that most appall
! ing of domestic animals-the wander
| ing and untrammclcd COW. Brant
| could not help smiling rs he heard the
| quick, harsh call to turn out guard"
! saw the men marched solidly with
| fixed bayoncts 10 the vicinity of the af
| frighted animal, who fed, leaving the
fair stranger to walk shame-facedly to
! the house. He was surprised, however,
that she should have halted before his
| door, and with trcnulous indignation
| said:
Il thank you. sir, for your chivalrous-
ness in turning 4 defenseless woman
into ridicule."
Il regret, Miss Faulkner" began
Brant, gravely, that you should believe
that l am able to control the advances
of farmyard cattle as easily as" but
he stopped as he saw that the angry
| flash of her blue eyes, as she darted
from him, were set in tears A little
remorseful on the following day, he
added word to his ordinary cap lift
ing when he passed her, but she re-
tanned a reproachful silence. Later in
the day he received from her servant 4
respectful request for an interview, and
was relieved to find that she entered his
presence with no trace of her former
aggression-but rather with the resig-
nation of a deeply injured, yet not en-
tirely rnforgiving woman.
81 thought" she began, coldly, that
I ought to inform you that l would
probably be able to conclude my bust
ness here by the day after tomorrow,
! and that you would then be relieved of
my presence. am aware, indeed" she
added. bitterly, Il could scarcely help
perceiving, that it has been an exceed
ingly irksome one"
Il trust" began Brant, coldly. that
no gentleman of my command has"
"No." she interrupted him quickly,
with a return of her former manner,
and passionate sweep Of her hand,
do you suppose for moment that 1
| am Speaking-that l am even thinking
of them! What are they to Ine?"
Thank you. / am glad to know that
they are nothing, and that 7 may now
trust that you have consulted my
wishes and have reserved your ami
mostly for me-" returned Brant. quiet
! ly. eff that is so, see no reason for
your hurrying your departure in the
| least"
She rose instantly. II have she
said, slowly, controlling herself with a
| slight effort, found some one who will
take my duty off my hands. She is a
servant of one of your neighbors who
is an old friend of my uncle's-the
woman is familiar with the house and
our private property. l will give her
| full Instructions to act for me--and
even an authorization in writing if you
prefer it. She is already in the habit
of coming here-but her visits will give
you very little trouble. And as she is
Il siave-or, rs you call it, I believe-a
chattel. she will be already quite accus-
toned to the eatment which her class
are in the habit of receiving from
northern hands, Without waiting to
perceive the effect of her Parthian shot,
she swept proudly out of the room.
81 wonder what she means?- unused
Brant. as her quick step died away in
the passage. One thing is certain. a
woman like that is altogether too i'm
l,nlsive for spy
Later, in the twilight. he saw her
walking in the garden. There was fig
! urc at her side. y little curious. he en-
Hlnined it moro closely from his win
dow. 1t was already familiar to him
the erect shapely form of his neigh
hor's servant. y thoughtful look passed
over his face as he muttered: 80 this
is 80 be her deputy"
| ITO BE CONTINUED