Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-08-05
dzARENsE
"a 1 s,.1 90
COPYRIGHT. 1894. sY
Barr HARTE 10
PART III.
CHAPTER LII.

q remark from the division commander
that he preferred to commit the general
plan OF movement then under discus
sion TO the memories rather than to
written orders in the ordinary routine,
seemed TO show that his chief still sus-
pected the existence of a spy. He there
fore told him of his late interview with
Miss Faulkner and her probable with
drawal in favor of a mulatto neighbor.
The division commander received the
information withindiiference. THEY'RE
much too clever 10 employ hussy like
that, who shows her hand at every
turn-either as n spy or a messenger of
spies-and the mulattoes are too stupid.
to say nothing of their probable fidelity
to us. No. general. if we are watched, il
is by an eagle and not n moclling bird.
Miss Faulkner has nothing worse about
her than her tongue. and there isn't the
Niger blood IN the whole south that
would risk n moose for her. or for any
of their masters or mistresses."
1t was therefore, perhaps, with some
mitigation of his usual critical severity
that he saw her walking before him
alone in the lane as he rode home to
quarters. She was apparently lost in
half impatient, half moody reverie.
which even the trotting hoof-beats of
his own and orderly's horses had not
disturbed. From time to time she
struck the myrtle hedge beside her
with the head of huge flower which
hung by it's stalk from her listless
hands, or held il TO her face as if to
inhale its perfume. Diminishing his or
DERBY by n side path he rode gently for
ward, but TO his surprise without turn
ing or seeming To be aware of his pres
ence, she quic<ened her pace, and even
appeared to look from side to side for
some avenue of escape. If only to end
matters he was obliged TO ride quickly
forward TO her side, where he threw
himself from his horse, flung the reins
on his arm, and began to walk beside
her. She ut first turned a slightly
flushed check away from him, and then
looked up with purely simulated
start of surprise.
Il am afraid he said, gently, "that
I am the first IL break my own orders
in regard to an intrusion on your pri-
vacy. But | wanted to ask you if
could give you any aid whatever in the
change you think of making" He was
quite sincere, had been touched by her
manifest disturbance, and despite his
masculine "reminiscences of criticism he
had an intuition of feminine suffering
that was in itself feminine.
Meaning that you are in hurry to
get rid of me-" she said CURLY, without
raising her eyes.
Meaning that I only wish to ex-
pedite a business which l think is un-
pleasant toyou, but which, believe you
have undertaken from unselfsh devo-
ton"
The scant expression of n reserved
nature is sometimes more attractive to
women than the most fluent yivacity
Possibly there was also melancholy
grace in his sardonic soldiers manner
that affected her, for she looked up
and said impulsively:
lyon think SOP"
But he met her eager ewes with some
surprise. Il certainly do" he replied
more coldly. Il can imagine your
feelings on finding your uncle's home
in the possession of your enemies, and
your presence under the family roof
only sufferance. l can hardly be-
heve it a pleasure to you or n task you
would have accepted for yourself
alone"
But she said. turning from him
wickcdly. what if did il only to excite
my revenge; what if / knew it, would
give me courage to entice my people to
carry tie way into your own homes,
to make you of the north feel as feel.
and taste our bitterness? ?"
II could easily understand that too"
g. Il 81
though don't admit that revenge is an
unmiXed pleasure even to n woman"
~ woman she repeated, indignant
~. There is no sex in a war like this"
You are spelling your flower" he
said quietly. ut is very pretty-and
native one, too-not an invader-nor
even transplanted May look at to-
She hcsitated, half recoiling for an
instant. and her hand trembling. Then
suddenly and abruptly she said with a
hysteric little laugh: Take it-then."
and almost thrust it. in his hand.
II certainly was n pretty flower. not
unlike n lily 10 appearance, with bell
like cup and long anthers covered with
fine pollen like rcd dust. As he lifted
1T to his face to inhale its perfume she
uttered a slight cry and snatched il
from his hand
THERE" size said with the same ncr-
vous laugh. II knew YOU would
ought TO have warned you. The pollen
comes of SO easily. and leaves n stain.
And you've got some on your check.
Look she continued. taking her hand
kerchief from her pocket and wiping
his cheek. "sce there" The delicate
cambria showed "a blood red streak
1T grows in swamp" she con-
tinued in the same excited strain. eve
call ~ dragons tccth-like the kind
that was sown in the story. you know.
We children used to find IL and then
paint our faces and lips with il. We
called it. our rouge. / was almost
tempted TO try il again when found II
just now. ~ took me back so TO the old
times"
Following her odd manner rather
than her words. as she turned her face
e toward him suddenly. Brant was in
clined to think that she had tried il al
ready. so scarlet was her cheek. But IT,
presently pa'ed again under his cold
scrutiny.
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