Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-08-12

He looked at the man who had achieved
IL. as he firmly believed, by sheer luck
and accident and his eyea iarkened
Then. with Characteristic weakness and
vanity. he began TO resist his first inn.
pressions of Clarcnce's superiority, and
to air his own Importance. He leaned
heavily back in his chair in which he
had been thus genially forced. drew off
his gauntlet and attempted to thrust
IL through his belt, as he had seen
Hrant do. but failed ON account of his
pistols already occupying that position.
dropped il, got his sword between his
legs in attempting TO pick it up, and
then leaned back again, with half
closed eyes. serenely Indifferent of his
old companions smiling face.
i reckon" he began. slowly, with {.
slightly patronizing air, that we'd
nave met, sooner or later, at Washing
ton, or Mt Grants headquarters. for
Hooker, Meacham & Co. GO everywhere.
and are about as well known as major
generals, TO say nothin'," he went ON.
with a sidelong glance at Brant's sboul.
der straps, "of brigadiers-and it's
rather strange, only, of course, you're
Kind of fresh in the service-that YOU
amt 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 I am
also delighted to find," he added, mis-
chievously, arc still as frankly COM
municative on that topic, rs of old.
But 1 congratulate you. old fellow. on
your good fortune. When did you leave
the stage?"
Mr.. Hooker frowncd slightly. 81
never really was on the stage, YOU
KNOW" he said, waving his hand with
assumed negligence-"onlyw went OH to
please my wife. Mrs. Hooker wouldn's
act with vulgar professionals, don't YOU
see! was really management Of
the time, and lessee of the theater,
Went east when the war broke out IN
oher-my sword and knowledge OF In.
jim hRhtin'--to Uncle sam! Driftrd
into a big pork contract at st. Louis
with Fremont. Been Mt il ever since.
onered n commission in the regular
service lots o times. Refused"
"Why?" asked Brant, demurely.
TOO much West Point starch around
TO suit me-" returned Hooker, darkly.
And too many spies!"
Spies?" echoed Brant, abstractedlv.
with momentary "Reminiscences of Miss
Faulkner.
YES, spies" continued Hooker. with
logged mystery. "One-half of Wash
ington is watching t'other half. and.
from the presidents wife down, most
OF the women are scccsh!"
Brant suddenly fixed his keen eyes on
MS guest. But the next moment he re-
Elected that this was only Jim Hool<er's
usual speech and possessed no Interior
significance. He smiled again and said
more gently:
And how is Mrs. HoolSer?"
Mr.. Hooker fixed his eyes on the cell
ing, rose, pretended to look out of the
window; then, taking his seat again by
the table. as If fronting an imaginary
audience, and pulling slowly at his
gauntlcts, after the usual theatrical in
dlcation OF perfect sang froid, said:
There amt any"
Good heavens!" said Brant, with
genuine emotion. 81 beg your pardon
really L"
Mrs. Hooker and me are divorced"
continued Hooker, slightly changing
his attitude and leaning heavily on his
saber, with his eyes still on his fanciful
audience. There was, you understand"
lightly tossing his gauntlet aside
-"incompatibility of temper!-and-
we-parted. Hal" he uttered n low.
bitter, scornful laugh. which, however,
produced the distinct impression in
Brants mind that up to that moment
he had never had the slightest feeling
in the matter whatever.
you seemed to be on such good terms
with each other" murmured Brant.
vaguely.
Seemed" said Hooker bitterly, glanc-
ing sardonically at an ideal second row
in the pit before him-"yes, seemed!
There were-other differences-social
and political. You understand thnt-
you have suffered too He reached out
his hand and pressed Brant's in heavy
efusiveness. But" he continued,
haughtily, lightly tossing his glove
again, I'VE IRE all men of the world
we let that pass!" And it was possible
that he found the strain Of his present
attitude too great, for he changed 10 an
easier position.
But" said Brant, curiouslv, 81 al
ways thought that Mrs. Hooker was in
tensely union and northern"
Put on!" said Hooker, in his natural
voice.
But you remember the incident of
the fiag?" persisted Brant.
Mrs. Hooker was always an actress"
said Hooker Significantly. "But, he add
ed cheerfully, Mrs. Hooker is now the
wife OF Senator Boompointer, one of the
wealthicst and most powerful republic
ans in WashinPton-carries the patron-
age Of the whole west in his vest
pocket"
yet If she is not n republican-why
did she"-began Brant.
For n purpose" responded Hooker,
darkly. But" he added again with
greater cheerfulness. "she belongs 10
the very elite of Washington society.
Goes TO all the foreign ambassadors
balls, and is n power at the white house
Her picture is in all the frst-class
illustrated papers"
The singular but unmistakable pride
Of the man in the Importance OF the
wife from whom no ts,ar dfvorcoJ 81