The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-10-10
:strona tone of vexation in his words.
THe keated US as if we had been two
Hold woman

;strona tone of vexation in his words.
NHe keated Us as if we had been two
Fold women"
"And told u.s." added Faval, "that
everybody must forget Office, though l
took notice that he did not offer to re-
sign his own Office"
'sIt was quite unexpected" Mr..
! Vernon went on. II thought he
would appoint you without a word on
such Recommendations as we were
able to offer; but he refused in terms
almost unbearably offensive, as if the
thought set him in rage. He was
dignifed enough, too; but I saw
anger in his eyes," -. s.,
Loring did not change countenance,
or, if he did, it was but to broaden
his sardonic smile.
"I am not surprised" he remarked,
breaking biscuit with the most in
different Dir; ''it was q FOOLS errand
from the beginning. Claiborne knows
more than you imagine, and what
Claiborne knows Jackson knows"
"What do you mean?" demanded
Mr.. Vernon, with peremptory sudden
ness. His eyes shot out almost fierce
inquiry.
Faval gave Lcring quick, warn
ing glance which the latter under.
stoood at once.
Without an instant's hesitation and
emitting not ray of expression to
hint his swift change Of mental atti.
tude, Colonel Loring said:
"What I mean is that Claiborne
knows very we'll that you and Faval
distrust him, and, of course, he is
making good time in poisoning Jack.
son against you, as should do, If /
were he, under oil the circumstances.
I know something of General Jack.
son; he is a contemplate, jealous
tyrant!"
Mr.. Vernon laughed, with his eyes
fixed steadily on those of Loring. II
there had been fash of suspicion it
came and went like the fash of fire.
fly. -.
'sIt's a high! handed beginning, to
say the least" growled Faval, "and
for nv part don't relish it; though,
for that matter, I have poor way OF
helping myself"
General Jackson probably thinks
that he can get along without Louisi.
anians in defending Louisiana, "
said Mr.. Vernon, with mechanical
show Of lightness. ''Ta! He will
soon find out his mistake, I hope"
"He takes Lieutenant Ballanche
instead of you,". Faval remarked
turning to Loring. 1.-THE boy seems
to be cheek by iowl with him and
Claiborne. I suppose that old Sc
zannes and his money bags are the
power behind the throne"
"What interest has Sezannes in the
AFFAIR."" inquired Mr.. Vernon, lifting
his big, shaggy head with a motion at
once swift and heavy.
"Ballanche is to be his son-in-law,
understand.
eta! Love rules war, too, eh?"
"Perhaps-when loves controls
money" -.
There was moment OF silence, and
then Mr.. Vernon, Tearing back in his
chair and stroking his tumbled beard,
added: y. ..,.-.
"It strikes me, in spite of myself,
that General Jackson is just the man
for the place he has taken with sucb
aplomb." =. ~. 49,.
Faval WINGED, inwardly If not out
wardly. There was touch OF resent
ment in his tone when he said:
ooh, he will make MS all bestir'o our
selves. He will pull the strings and,
like puppets, we'll have to hop and
kick as if we liked it. War brings
strange masters"
"He has already been to every prob
able point of defense all around the
city, continued Mr.. Vernon, thought
fully, as if in soliloquy; ''and the
1 steps he is taking look to me more like
genuine military work than anything
that has ever been done in this dis
trict." -. r.A: f.-..
Faval, whose greatest desire had
been to have General Wilkinson le.
turned to the command atsNew Or.
leans, cleared his throat and took a
glass of water as if to wash something
down. .s.. ~.
''He has the prestige Of recent vic.
tories to make way for him." he re-
marked evasively, "and I done doubt
his ability. Perhaps it is mistake,
however, for even General Jackson to
openly insult a man like you"
Mr.. Vernon arched his brows and
made gesture which implied abso-
lutte disclaimer of everything personal
to himself. 49,.
'sI shall reportwith gun when the
enemy appears" he said. "It is. the
business Of us all to fight for our coun-
try" .:
Loring eyed him steadily for mo.
ment and then in peculiar, low voice
exclaimed: .
(To BE coNTINUED.)