The Irish standard., 1896-04-18
CHAPTER IL

So complete was his control of voice
and manner that as he galloped back
to his quarters no one would have
dreamed that Gen. Brant had Just
looked upon the likeness OF the wife
from whom he had parted in anger
four years ago. Still less would they
have suspected the singular fear that
came upon him that in some vague way
she was connected with the treachery
he had just discovered. He had heard
from her only once, and then through
her late husbands lawyer in regard to
her California property, and believed
that she had gone to her relations in
Alabama, where she had identified her
self with the southern cause even to
the sacrifice of her private fortune He
had heard her name mentioned in the
southern press as fascinating society
leader, and even coadjutrix Of southern
politicians-but he had no reason to
believe that she had taken so active or
so desperate part in the struggle. He
tried to think that his uneasiness
sprang from his recollection of the
previous treachery of Capt Pincknev.
and the part she had played in the
California onspiracy-although he
had long since acquitted her of the be-
trayal of another trust. But there was
fateful similarity in the two ycases.
There was no doubt that this Lieut..
Wainwright was traitor in the camp
that he had succumbed TO the miserable
sophistry of his class in regard to his
a 90 fes
But was there the inducement Of an
other emotion--or was the photograph
only the souvenir Of a fascinating
priestess of rebellion whom the dead
man had met? There was perhaps less
OF feeling than scorn in the first sug-
gestion, but he was, nevertheless, re-
lieyed when the provost marshal found
no discriminating papers in Vain
wright's effects. Nor did he reveal to
the division general the finding of the
photograph. 1t was sufficient To dis
close the work of the traitor without
adding what might be clew to his
wife's participation in it, near or re-
mote. There was risk enough in the
former course-which his duty made
imperative. He hardly dared to think
OF the past days slaughter which
there was no doubt now-had been
due TO the previous work of the spv,
and how his brigade had been selected
by the irony of fate-to suffer for and
yet retrieve it. If she had hand in
that wicked plot, ought he to spare her?
Or were his destiny and hers to be thus
monstrously linked together?
Luckily. however, the explanation Of
the chief offender and the timely dis
covery of his papers enabled the diyi-
sion commander to keep the affair dis
creetly silent and to enjoy equal se-
crecy on the part of Brant. The latter,
however, did not relax his vigilance.
and after the advance the next day he
made minute inspection Of the ground
he was to occupy, its approaches and
connections with the outlying country
and the rebel lines, increased the striu-
gency Of picket and sentry regulations,
and exercised a rigid surveillance of
noncombatants and civilians within
the lines--even to the lowest canteener
or camp follower. Then he turned his
attention to the house he was to Occur
py as his headquarters.
1t was a fine specimen of the old coll
onial planters house. with its broad
serandas, its great detached Offices and
negro quarters, and had thus far. es-
caped the ravages and billetting Of the
war. 1t had been occupied by its owner
up to a few days before the engage
ment, and SO great had been the con-
fidence of the enemy in their success
that it had been used as the confederate
headquarters on the morning of the de-
cisive battle. Jasmine and rose, nm
stained by the sulphur of gunpowder,
twined around its ruined columns and
kali hid the recessed windows; the care