The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-01-08


glance of appeal to him in the drawing
room at Susy's, and it seemed to be
equally consistent with the truth of
what he had just heard-or some mon
strous treachery and deceit of which
she might be capable. Even now she
might be secret emissary of some spy
within the presidents family; she
might have been in correspondence
with some traitor in the Boompointer
Clique, and her imploring glance only
the result of fear of exposure. Or,
again, she might have truly recanted
after her escapade at Gray Oaks. and
feared only his recollection of her as
go-between OF spies. And yet both of
these Prescriptions were inconsistent
with her conduct in the conservatory.
1t seemed impossible that this 1mpul-
sive woman. capable of doing what he
had himself known her to do, and
equally sensitive to the shame or joy
OF such impulses, should be the same
heartless woman of society, who had so
coldly recognized and parted from him.
| But this interval of doubt was transit
tory. The next day he received dis
patch from the war department, order
ing him to report himself for duty at
once. With beating heart he hurried
to the secretary. But that official had
merely left memorandum with his
assistant, directing Gen. Brant to ac-
company some fresh levies to a camp of
occupation near the front for "organi-
zation." Brant felt chill of disap-
pointment. Duties Of this kind had been
left to dubious, regular army veterans
hurriedly displaced general officers
and favored detrimentals. But if it
was not restoration, it was no longer
inaction, and it was at least a release
from Washington.
1t was, also, evidently the result of
some influence, but hardly that of the
Boompointers, for he knew that Susy
wished to keep him at the capital. Was
there another power at work to send
vious suspicion returned. Nor were
they dissipated when the chief of the
bureau placed letter before him with
the remark that it had been intrusted
| to him by lady, with the request that
it should be delivered only into his
own hands. She did not know your
hotel address, but ascertained yoh were
to call here. She said it was of impor-
lance. There is no mystery about it,
general" continued the official with a
mischievous glance at Brant's hand
some, perplexed face, although it's
from very pretty woman-whom we
all know"
Mrs. Boompointer? suggested
linbfpaSc
1t was n maladroit speech. The Off
Gals face darkened. I'VE have not yet
become postal department for the
Boompointers, general" he said. drily,
however great their influence else
where. 1t was from rather a different
style of woman-Miss Faulkner. You
will receive your papers later at your
hotel, and leave tonight"
Braut's unlucky slip was still potent
enough to divert the official attention,
or he would have noticed the change
in his visitors face, and the abruptness
of his departure.
Once in the street, Brant tore off the
envelope. But beneath it was another,
on which was written in a delicate, re-
fined hand: please do not open this
i y Y
Then she knew he was going! And
this was her influence. All his suspi-
cjons again returned. She knew he was
going through the lines, and this very
appointment, through her influence.
might be plot to serve her and the en-
envy. Was this letter which she was
intrusting to him the cover of a missive
to her southern friends, which she ex-
pected him to carry, as a return for her
own act of self-sacrifice? Was this
the appeal she had been making to his
chivalry. his gratitude, his honor? The
perspiration stood in beads on his fore
head. What defect lay hidden in his
nature that seemed to make him an
easy victim of these intriguing women
He had not even the excuse OF gaiiantry.
Less susceptible to the potencies of the
sex than most men, he was still COM
PEELED to bear that reputation. He re-
mcmbered his GOODNESS to Miss F;iulk-
ner in the first days of their meeting,
and her effect upon his subalterns.
Why had she selected him from among
them, when she could have modelled the
others like wax to her purpose? Whye
And yet with the question came a pos
sible answer that he hardly dared to
think of; that in it's very vagueness
seemed to fill him with a stimulating
thrill and hopefulness. He quickened
his pace. He would take the letter and
yet ne master of himself when the time
came to open it.
That time came three days later. in
his tent on Three Pine Crossing. AS he
broke open the envelope he was re-
lieved to find that it contained no other
Enclosure, and seemed intended only for
himself. 1t began abruptly:
when you read this you will under
stand why did not speak to you when
we met last night; why even dreaded
that you might speak to me, knowing
what l ought to tell you even at such
4 place and mountaineering you
could hear from me alone. l did not
know you were in Washington, al
though I knew that you were relieved;
1 had no way of seeing you or sending
to you before, and 1 only came to Mrs.
Boompointer's party in the hope Of
hearing news of you.
| You know that my brother was cap
tured by your pickets, in company with
another officer. He thinks you sus-
| Dected the truth that he and his friend