The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-08-29
PART L.
CHAPTER L-CoNrINuED.

Thoroughly alarmed ut her threats,
in his efforts 10 conceal his feelings he
was not above weak retaliation.
Stepping back he affected TO regard
her with a critical admiration that was
only half simulated. and said, with a
smile: Every well done-but you have
forgotten the flag" She did not finch.
Rather accepting the sarcasm as trib-
ute TO 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.'
"Yesl You may smile your superior
smile, but l tell you, Clarence Brant,
that with all your smartness and book
learning you know no more of what
goes on around you than n child. But
others do! This conspiracy is known
to the government. the federal officers
lave been warned Gen. Sumner has
heen 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 have told you"
"And l suppose" said Clarence, with
an unchanged smile, that this valua-
Bile information came from your hus-
band my old friend. Jim Hooker"
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.
lie saw what was going on and came TO
me TO warn you"
but why not to me Directly" said
Clarence. with affected incredulity.
ASK him!" she said, viciousy. Per
hans he didn't want TO warn the master
against the mistress. Perhaps he
thought we are still friends. Perhaps
-" she hesitated, with n lower voice
end forced smile, perhaps he used TO
see us together in the old times"
VERY likely" said Clarence, quietly,
and for the sake OF these old times.
Susy," he went on with singular gen
tlcness that was quite distinct from his
paling face and set eyes, II am go
ing 10 forget all that you have said OF
me and mine, in all the old willfulncss
and impotence that | sec you still keep
with all your old prettiness." He took
his hat from the table and gravely held
out his hand.
She was frightened for n moment
with his impressive abstraction. In the
old days she had known it--had be-
licved IL was his logged ''obstinacy"-
but she knew the hopelessness OF OPP
posing IL. Yet. with feminine persis-
tency. she ngain threw herself against
Il. rs wall.
you don't believe me! Well, 20 and
sec for yourself. They are at Robles
now. IL you catch the early morning
stage nt Santa Clare, you will come
upon them before they dispcrse. Dare
you try it?"
''Whntever I do" he returned. smil-
mgly. II shall always bc grateful 10
you for giving me this opportunity of
.eeinp YOU nguin--ns You were! Make
my excuses to your husband. Good
night"
"Clarcncel"
But he had already closed the door be-
hind him. His face did not relax It's
expression. nor change MS he looked
again at the tray with It's broken vinnds
before the door. tho worn. stained halt
carpet. or the waiter who shufiied past
him.
lie was apparently as critically con-
scioua of them and Of the close doors OF
the hall and the atmosphere of listless
decay and faded extravaganza around
him "a before the interview.
Had the woman he had just parted
frcm watched him she would have sup
posed he still utterly disbelieted her
stor,s. But he was conscious that all
that he snw was part OF his dcgrada-
ttot. for 10 had believed oycry word she