The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-03-28

bly, sympathized with; her class1 Well,
/ don't know that should blame her
for that any more than she should
blame me for being northern man
and an unionist!"
"And she doesn't blame you ?" asked
Susy, sneeringly.
The color came slightly into Clar-
ence's cheek, but before he could reply
the actress added:
"No-she prefers to use you"
81 don't think understand you,"
said Clarence, rising coldly.
..No--you don't understand her!" re-
torted Susy, sharply. Look here, Clar-
ence Brant, you're right; l didn't ask
YOU here to tell you-what you and
every body knows-that your wife is
southerner. I didn't ask you here to
tell YOU what everybody suspects-that
che turns you round her little finger.
But did ask you here to tell you, what
nobody. not even you, suspects. but
what know! And that is that she's
traitor-and more, spy! And that
I've only got to say the word-or send
that man Jim to say the word-to have
her dragged out of her copperhead den
at Robes rancho, and shut up In Fort
Alcatrez this very night"
Still with the pink glowing in her
rounding cheek, and eyes swapping like
splintered sapphires, she rose to her
feet, with her pretty shoulders lifted,
her small hands and white teeth both
lightly clenched, and took step to-
wards him.
Even in her attitude there was rem
iniscence of her willful childhood, al
though still blended with the provin-
cial actress whom he had seen ON the
stage only an hour ago.
Thoroughly alarmed at her threats,
in his efforts to conceal his feelings he
was not above weak retaliation.
Stepping back he affected to regard
her with critical admiration that was
only half simulated, and said. with a
smile: every well done--but you have
forgotten she flag" She did not finch.
Rather accepting the sarcasm as t1-ib-
ute 10 her art she went ON with increas-
ing exaggeration:
"No, it is you who have forgotten the
flag-forgotten your country, your
people, your manhood-everything for
that heightened, double-dyed old spy
and traitress! For while you are stand
ing here your wife is gathering under
her roof at Robes a gang of spies and
traitors like herself-secession leaders
and their bloated, drunken 'chivalry.'
eyes! You may smile your superior
smile. but I tell you, Clarence Brant,
that with all your s1nartness and book
learning you know no more OF what
goes on around you than a child. But
others do! This conspiracy is known
to the government, the federal officers
have been warned; Gen. Sumner has
been sent out here-and his first act
was to change the command at Fort
Alcatrez and send your wife's southern
friend-Capt. Pinkney-to the right
about! Yes--everything is'known but
one thing-and that is where and how
this precious crew meet! That alone
know, and that I have told YOU
"4And 1 suppose said Clarence, with
an unchanged smile, that this valua-
BILE information came from your hus-
band-1ny old friend, Jim Hooker? p
"No,'' she answered, sharply. 1T
comes from Cencho-one of your own
poems, who is more true to you and the
old Rancho than you have ever been.
He saw what was going on and came to
me to warn you"
"But why not to me directly?' said
Clarence, with affected incredulity.
ASK hint" she said, viciously. Per
haps he didn't want to warn the master
against the mistress. Perhaps he
thought we are still friends. Perhaps
-" she hesitated, with lower voice
and forced smile, perhaps he used to
see us together in the old times
"very likely" said Clarence, quietly.
land for the sake OF these old times,
Susy," he went on with singular gen
t]eness that was quite distinct from his
paling face and set eyes, II am go
ing to forget all that you have said Of
me and mine, in all the old willfulness
and Impotence that see you still keep
with all your old prettiness:" He took
his hat from the table and grave]y held
out his hand.
She was frightened for moment
with his impressive abstraction. In the
old days she had known itr-had be-
lieved it was his logged "obstinacy--
but she knew the hopelessness Of OPP
posing it. Yet, with feminine persis-
fancy she again threw herself against
it. as wall.
"You don't believe me! Well, go and
see for yourself. They are at Robes
now! If you catch the early morning
stage at Santa Clare, you will come
upon them before they dispense. Dare
you try ito"
.'1Vhatever do" he returned, smil-
ingly, IT shall always be grateful to
you for giving me this opportunity Of
eeeing you aggain--as you were! Make
my excuses to your husband. Good
night" ,. .. .
"Clarence!" . -
But he had already closed the door be-
hind him. His face did not relax its
expression, nor change rs he looked
again at the tray with its broken viands
before the door, the worn, stained hall
carpet, or the waiter who shuffled past
him.
He was apparently as critically con-
scious of them and of the close doors of
the hall and the atmosphere of listless
decay and faded extravaganza around
him % before the interview