The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1896-08-06


ice with the careless ease and bearing
of the veteran! Here was the hero
whose name was already SO famous that
the mere coincidence OF it with that
of the modest civilian he had known
would have struck him aspreposterous
Yet here he was-supreme and dazzling
surrounded by the pomp and circum-
stance of war = into whose reserved
presence he, Jim Hooker, had been
ushered with the forinality OF chal-
lenge, saluting and presented bay
onets!
Luckily Brant had taken advantage
Of his first gratified ejaculation to
shake him warmly by the hand, and
chen with both hands laid familiarly
on his shoulder force him down into q
chair. Luckily, for by that time Jim
Hooker had with characteristic gloomi
ness found time to taste the pangs oi
envy--an envy the more keen since, in
spite of his success as q peaceful con-
tructor, he had always secretly longed
for military display and distinction,
lie looked at the man who had achieved
II. MS he firmly believed, by sheer luck
and accident and his eyes darkened.
Then, with characteristic weakness and
vanity, he began to resist his first inn
pressions of Clarence's superiority, and
to air his own Importance. He leaned
4 heavily back in his chair in which he
hud been thus genially forced, drew of
his gauntlet and attempted to thrust
/, through his belt, as he had seen
| l.rant do, but failed on account OF his
| pistols already occupying that position,
| dropped it, got his sword between his
legs in attempting to pick it up, and
then leaned back again, with half
losed eyes, serenely Indifferent of his
4 I'D companions smiling face.
Il reckon" he began, slowly, with Q
slightly patronizing air, shat we'd
have met, sooner or later, at Washing
ton. or at Grants headquarters, for
! Hooker, Meachnm q Co go everywhere
aud are about as well known us major
generals, to say nothin'," he went on
with sidelnng glance at Drant's shoul
her straps. ''of brigaliers-and it's
Irather strange, only, Of course. you're
kind of fresh in the seryice-that you
/ atn,+ heard of me afore."
"But I'm very, very glad to hear OF
you now, jim" said Brant, smiling
"and from your own lips--which ] am
salso delighted to find" he added, mis-
chievously, "are still as frankly com
municative on that topic, as of old
But congratulate you, old fellow, or
;our good fortune. When did you leave
tile stageY
/ MIR. Hooker frowned slightly. -
never really was on the stage. yot
know" he said. waving his hand will
assumed negligence-"onlG went on Il
,leuse my wife. Mrs. Hooker wouldn'
net with vulgar professionals, don't yol
see! was really manager--most 0
The time, and lessee OF the theater
Vent east when the war broke out Il
oiTer-my sword and knowledge of In
lin fightin'-to Uncle Sam! Drifte'
INTO big pork contract at st. Loui
with Fremont. I'een at 1t ever since
offered commission in the regula
service lots O. times Refused"
aWhy2" asked lsrant, deniurely.
aToo much West Point starch aroun
10 suit me-" returned Hooker, darlly
.And too many spies!"
"spies?" echoed Drant, abstractedly
/ with momcntary "reminiscences Of Mis-
Faulkner.
"les, spies,' continued Hooker, wit
logged mystery. "0ne-haif of Wasi
iagton is watching t'cther half, ant
from the presidents wife down, mos
Of the women are seeesh."
Drant suddenly fixed his keen eyes 0
his guest. But the next moment he rt
ilected that this was only Jim Hooker
usual speech and possessed no ulterio
. significance. lie smiled again and sal
more gently:
'.And how is Mrs. Hooker?"
Mr.. Hooker fixed his eyes on the cei
ing, rose, pretended to look out of IL
, window; then. taking his seat again b
9 the table, as il fronting an imaginar
audience, and pulling slowly at h
5 gauntlcts, after the usual theatrical il
E tIication Of a perfect sang froid, said:
: There amt any"
/ "Good heavensl" said Brant, wit
: genuine emotion. q beg your pardon
b really l."
e Mrs. Hooker and me are divorced
e continued Hooker, slightly changin
e his attitude and leaning heavily on Ii
i, saber, with his eyes still on his fancif
h audience. "There was, younnderstand
c lightly tossing his gauntlet asit
g -"incompatibility Of temper!--and
: we--parted. Hal" he uttered q lo'
r bitter, scornful laugh, which, hcweye
i produced the distinct impression
e Brant's mind that up to that Homel
+ he had never had the slightest feelir
Il in the matter whatever.
l. "You seemed to be on such good tern
e with each other" murmured Brar
h vaguely.
d Seemed" said Hooker bitterly, glan
ing sardonically at an ideal second 70
d in the pit before him-'yes, seeme'