The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1896-07-23


this influence seemed so strong that he
half impulsisely laid them ASIDE 10 in
dG,gc IN a long rcyerie. He was re-
calling his last day at Robles, the early
morning duel with Pinckney, the re
turn 10 San Francisco, and the sudden
resolution which sent him that day
acrnss the continent to offer his scrv-
ices to the government He remem-
bered his delay in the western town
where volunteer regiment was heing
recruited, his entrance into II us pri-
xate, his rapid selection, through the
force OF his sheer devotion and intelli-
gent concentration, to the captaincy OF
his company, his swift promotion on
l.ard-fought fields 10. the head Of the
regiment, and the singular success thai
had followed his resistless energy
which left him no time to think OF any
thing but his duty. The sudden intru-
sion of his wife upon his career-even
in this accidental and perhaps innocent
way, had seriously unsettled him.
The shadows were growing heavier
and deeper, it lacked only few mo
ments of the sunset bugle when he was
recalled TO himself by that singular in
stinctise consciousness common TO
humnnity-of being intently looked at.
He turned quickly - the door behind
him closed softly. He rose and slipped
into the hall. The tall figure Of awom-
IN was coming down the passage. She
was erect and graceful, but as she
turned toward the door leading to the
Offices, he distinctly saw the gaudily
tnrbaned head and black silhouette of
a negress. Nevertheless he halted q
moment at the door of the next room.
sSee VINO that woman is who just
passed, Mr.. Martin. She doesn't seem
TO belong to the house"
The young officsr rose, put on his cap
and departed. In few moments he
returned.
WAS she tall, sir-of good figure
and very straight?"
"Yes.n
sShe is a servant of our neighbors,
the Manlys, who occasionally visits the
servants here. A mulatto, ] think"
Brant reflected. Many of the mulat-
tos and negresses were of good figure
and the habit of carrying burdens on
their heads gave them singularly
erect carriage.
The lieutenant looked at his chief.
aHave you any orders to give con
earning her, general?"
''No," said Brant. after moment.
pause, and turned away.
The officer smiled. 1t seemed good
story to tell at mess Of this human
weakness of his handsome, reserved
and ascetic-looking leader.
A few moments afterward Brant wa
interrupted over his reports by the al
most abrupt entrance Of the officer oi
the day. His face was flushed, and il
was evident that only the presence o.
his superior restrained his excitement
He held paper in his hand.
a lady presents this order and pas
from Washington, countersigned by th'
division general"
"A ladya"
'sYes, sir-she Is dressed as such
Put she has not only declined the mos
ordinary civilities and courtesies WI
have offered her, but has insulted Mr.
Martin and myself grossly, and de
nands to be shown to you alone"
Brant took the paper. 1t was spe
eial order from the president, passing
Miss Matilda Faulkner through the fed
eral lines, 10 visit her uncle's home
known as "Grey Oaks" now held ant
occupied as the headquarters of Brant'i
brigade, in order to arrange for the pres
ersation and disposal of certain famil,
effects and private property that still
remained there, or to take or carry yaws,
such property, and invoking all neces
sars aia anu assis'ance iioln sne 1n..e. I,
olAteS lolces ~ suon oe0upan - -
mander. 1t was perfectly regular AMI
oi unaonp'eu au.nenlicisy' a. =. ..no, In
hearu OF passes VI thiA ,nnu ~ ~ ~ !
OF the army-issueu ~ ,,a. s,asnis it,snaua sUn ~
der some strange con.roinns .. ~. ,nnueas' ,s a.,
ana against mii'ars ploVes', W. ~ -; :;
mol iet ms suDolulnaE see INC u'A''
ness WIN wnicn !. nlleu nm
show ner -; ne saiu. l.s qu,st.s, s,,.,,,,,,