The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1896-10-08

Nout NiNTlliCbs IVA AAit t'sHtAN ~" WV
need not be no in regard to your
friendS."
u dare to hope ] have found one, sir"
said lIrant, with slmost boylsh tEuGtty.
20, not Que" said the president, with
laugh Of depreciation. 'Some one
much more potent"
"Alay know hin name. MIR. presi'
deDt?"
"No. For It 10 woman. You were
nearly ruined by one, general sup
pose it's quite right that you should be
saved by one. And, OF course, irregu-
larly."
"A woman!" echoed Brant.
Eyes! One who was willing to confess
herself worse spy than your wife---a
double trnitor--to save youl Upon my
word, general, l don't know il the de-
partment was for wrong; man with
such an alternately unsettling and
convincing effect upon n'shgh-
est political convictions, should be un-
der some restraint. Luckily the depart
ment knows nothing OF it."
Nor would anyone ever have known
from me-" said Drant, eagerly. If trust
that she did not think-.that you, sir
did not for an instant believe that l."
20, dear, no, Nobody would have be-
lieved you! 1t was her free confidence
to me. That was what made the affair
no difficult to handle. For even her
bringing your dispatch to the division
commander looked bad for you - and
sou know he even doubted its authen.
tioity."
"Doea she--doAs sliss Faulkner
know the spy was my wife?" hesitated
IIrant.
The president twisted himself in his
chair, so as to regard Braut ro,o
gravcly with his deepest eyes, md hch
thnughtfully rubbed his leg, "Dop.'t,t
us travel out of the record &, neral"
he suid, after pause. But as the eoloi
surged into Drant's cheek, he raised h!y
eyes to the ceillpg and said, in half hn-
merous recollection;
NO, | think that fset was first
gathered from your other friend--SIr.
Hooker"
"Iooker!" said Brunt, Indignantly,
did he come here?"
pray don't destroy my faith in Mr..
Hooker, general" said the president, in
half weary, half humorous deprccaton.
Don't tell ME that any oihis Inventions
are true! Leave me VI lcast that mag
niiiccnt liar-the one perfectly hItel-
ligible witness you have. For from
she time that he frat appeared here
with Il grievance and u claim Eof u
commission. he has sssn All unap ui,u-
Bile Joy 10 me ard = convincing 'cRti.
mony toyou, Other witnesses have been
partisaus and prejudiced. Mr. Hooker
WIS frankly true 10 himself How esc
should have known OF the care you
took 10 disguise yourself, save the
honor OF your uniform and run the risk
of'beirg shot as an unknown spy at your
wife's side except irop his magnificent
version of his part pi III How else
should | have known The story Of your
discovery fthe Californian conspiracy,
except for his supreme portrayal Of
it, with himself rs the hero. No, you
must not forget to thank Mr.. Hooker
when you meet him.
Miss Faulkner Is at present more &C.
cessible; she is calling on some mem.
bcrs Of my family In the next room.
Shall l leave you with her?"
Brant rose, with . pale face and 0
quiekly-throbbing heart, as the presi.
dent, glancing at the clock, untwistet.
himself from the chair, and shook him.
self out at full length. and so gradually
to his feet. "Your wish for active
service Ia granted, Gen. Brant," he said,
slowly, land you will at once rejoin
your old division commander, who is
now a. theheadofthe Tenth army corps.
But" he said, after deliberate pause,
there are certain rules and regulations
of your service that even ! cannot with
decent respect 70 your department over.
ride. You will, therefore. understand
that you annotrejoin the army in your
former position"
The slight flush that came to Rrant's
cheek quickly passed. And there was
only the unspeakable sparkle Of re-
newed youth in his frank eyes az he
said: let me 80 to the front again,
Mr.. President, and care not how"
The president smiled, and, laying his
heavy hand on Brant's shoulder pushed
him gentle toward the door Of the In
ner room. ~ was only about to say"
he added, ss he opened the door, that
It would be necessary for you to re.
Join your promoted commander as o
major general. And" he continued,
lifting his voice, as he gently pushed his
guest into the room, "he hasn't even
thanked me for 1t, Miss Faulkner!'
The door closed behind him, and he
stood for g moment dazed, and still
hearing the distant voice of the presi-
dent in the room he had just quilted,
welcoming a new visitor. But the room
before him, opening into conserve
tory, was empty save for o single fix,
pre that turned half timidly half mis-,
fhievously toward him. The same