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

"Your career is alongside o me,
honey-and Boompointer. But nearer
me. Well fix all that. 1 heard some
thing about your being in disgrace.
but the story was that you were soft
on some secesh girl down there and
neglected your business, Kla'uns. But
Lordy. to think it was only your own
wife! Never mind. we'll straighten that
out We've had worse jobs than that
on Why, there was that commissary
who was buying up dead horses at ono
end of the field and selling them to the
government for mess beef at the other;
and there was that general who
wouldn't make an attack when 1t
rained, and the other ScDeral-you
know who 1 mean, Klc'uns-who
wouldn't invade the state where his sis
ter lived-but we Strengthened them out
somehow. and they were heap worse
than you. Well get you a position in
the war department here, one of the
bureau Offices, where you keep your
rank and your uniform-you don't look
bad in il, Kla'uns-on better pay. And
you'll come and see me-and We'll talk
over old times"
Brant felt his heart turn sick within
him. But he was at her mercy now!
JIe said with an effort: But I've told
| you that my career-nay, my hfe-now
| is in the field"
Don't you be fool, Kla'uns, and
| leave it there. You have done your
work of fighting good fight
| ing, too, and everybody knows it..
| You've earned a change. Let others
| take your place"
He shuddered as he remembered that
his wife had made the same appeal.
Was he a fool. then, and these two
women-so totally unlike in every thing
right in this?
Come, Kla' uns," said Susy, relapsing
against his shoulder, "now talk to me!
| You don't say what you think of me, of
my home, my furniture-of my posi-
tion-even of lin! Tell mel"
| Il find you well, prosperous, and
happy" he said, with faint smile.
rs that all? How do look?"
She turned her still youthful mis-
| chievous face toward him in the moon
light. The witchery of her blue eyes
was still there as of old, the same frank
responsibility beamed from them; her
parted lips seemed to give him back the
breath of his youth. He started, but
she did not.
.'Susy, dcar!"
1t was her husbands voice. 81 quite
forgot" it went on, as he drew the cur
tain aside, that you are engaged with
a friend, but Miss Faulkner is waiting
to say good night and volunteered to
find you"
Tell her to wait a moment" said
Susy, with an Impotence that was as
undisguised as it was without -embar-
rassment or confusion
But Miss Faulkner, unconsciously fol
lowing Mr.. Boompointer, was already
upon them. For q moment, the whole
four were silent-although perfectly
composed.
Senator Boompointer, unconscious of
any infelicity in his interruption, was
calmly waiting. Clarence, opposed sud
denly to the young girl. whom he be-
lieved was avoiding his recognition,
rose, coldly imperturbable. Miss
Faulkner, looking taller and more erect
in the long folds of her satin cloak,
neither paIed nor blushed. as she re-
garded Susy and Brant with a smile of
well-bred apology.
Il expect to leave Washington to-
morrow, and may not be able to call
again." she said, ''or would not have so
particularly pressed a leavetaking up
on YOU
IL was talking with my old friend,
Gen. Brant," said Susy, more by way
of introduction than apology.
Brant bowed. For an instant the
clear eyes of Miss Faulkner slipped Jelly
across him as she made him an old
fashioned colonial courtesy, and taking
Susy's arm she left the room. Brant did
not linger, but took leave of his host al
most in the same breath. At the front
door a well-appointed carriage of one
of the legations had just rolled into
waiting. He looked back and saw Miss
Faulkner, erect and beautiful as bride
in her gauzy draperies, descending the
stairs before the waiting servants. He
felt his heart beat strangely. He hest
tated; recalled himself with an effort
hurriedly stepped from the porch into
the path as he heard the carriage door
close behind him in the distance, and
even felt the dust from her horses
hoofs rise around him as she drove past
him and away.