Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-11-24
CLARENCE
BY BRET HARTE.

P "a 'inSiaiiy, anu WHOm the
army alternately depended upon and
abused. Brant had dealt With his un=
deriings In the eommissafiat, and even
now remembered that he had heard he
was coming, but had overlooked the
significance OF his name. But how he
came to leave his theatrical profession,
how he had attained a position which
implied a command of considerable
capital-for many of the contractors
a already amassed large fortunes
n what had become OF Susy and her
ambitions In this radical change of
circumstances, were the things to be
learned. In lis own changed condi-
ions he had seldom thought of her; Il
was with n strange feeling of irrita-
ton and half responsibility that he
now recalled his last interview with
her and the emotion TO which he had
succumbed.
He had not long to wait. He had
scarcely regained the quarters at his
own private office before he heard the
step OF the orderly upon the veranda
and the trailing clank OF Hooker's
sabers He did not know, however, that
HOOKER, without recognizing his name,
had received the message as q personal
tribute, and had left his sarcastic COM
panions triumphantly, with the air Of
going to a confidential interview to
which his w~ell-known military con-
nection had entitled him. 1t was
with a bearing of gloomy Importance,
and his characteristic sullen sidelong
glance that he entered the apartment,
and did not look up until Brant had
signaled the orderly TO withdraw and
closed the door behind him. And then
he recognized his old boyish companion
the professed favorite OF fortunei
For q ONE he gasped with aston
ishment. For q moment gloomy in
credulity, suspicion, delight. pride, adj
miration, even affection, struggled for
mastery IN his sullen staring eyes, and
open, twitching mouth. For here
was Clarence Brant, handsomer than
ever, more superior than ever in the
majesty OF uniform and authority
which fitted him, the OUNCE man,
through his four years OF active serv-
Ice with the careless ease and bearing
OF the veteran! Here was the hero
whose name a already so famous
that the mere coincidence Of 1t with
that Of the modest civilian he had
known would have struck him as pre-
posterous. Yet here he was-supreme
and dazzling-surrounded by pomp and
circumstance of war-into whose re-
served presence he, jim Hooker, had
been ushered with the formality OF
challenge, saluting and presented bay
onets!
Luckily Brant had taken advantage
or his first gratihed ejaculation TO
shake him warmly by the hand, and
then with both hands laid Familiarity
on his shoulder force him down into a
chair. Luckily, for by hat time Jim
Hooker had with characteristic gloomi-
ness found time to taste the pangs of
envy-an envy the more keen since, in
spite of his success as a peaceful con-
tractor, he had always secretly longed
for military display and distinction.
He looked at the man who had
achieved 1t, as he firmly believed, by a
sheer luck and accident and his eyes
darkened. Then, with characteristic
weakness and vanity, he began to re-
slst his first impressions Of Clerance's
superiority, and to air his own impor-
lance. He leaned heavily In his chair
In which he had been thus genially
forced, drew off his gauntlet and at
tempted TO thrust it through his belt,
as he had seen Brant do, but failed on
account of his pistols already occupy
ing that position, dropped II. go his
sword between his legs in attempting
to pick 1t w, and then leaned back
again, with half-closed eyes, serenely
Indifferent of his old companions smil-
ing face.
Il reckon" he began, slowly, with a
slightly ~patroniZing air, that we'd
have met, sooner or later, at Washing
ton, or at Grants headquarters, for
Hooker, Meacham e. Co. go every
where, and are about as we'll known as
major generals, to say nothin'," he
went on, with a sidelong glance at
II ra MIC hn,,llar.t,,, 80 IT.
and it's rather strange, only, of
course, you're kind of fresh in the
service-that you amt heard Of me
But I'm very, very glad to hear OF
you now, Jim," said Brant. smiling,
and from your own lips-which ! am
also delighted TO find" he added, mis-
chievously, ARE still as frankly COM
on that topic, as of old.
But l congratulate you, old fellow, on
your good fortune. When did you leave
the stage?"
Mr.. Hooker frowned slightly. II
never really was on the stage, you
he said waving his hand with
assumed negligence-"only went on to
please my wife. Mrs. Hooker wouldn't
with vulgar professionals, don't
you see! / was really manager-most
"a ShN AAAaN NV lSooSC Vi III lHebleT.
Went east when the war broke out to
offer-my sword and knowledge Of In
fghtin'-to Uncle Sam! Drifted
into a big pork contract at st. Louis
with Fremont. Been at ii ever since.
q commission in the regular
lot o. times. Refused"
"Why?" asked Brant, demurely.
TOO much West Point starch around
to suit me-" returned Hooker, darkIy.
And too many spies!"
"Spiesg' echoed Brant, abstractedly.
With a momentary "reminiscences of
Miss Faulkner.
Yes spies, y continued Hooker. with
logged mystery. "One-half Of Wash
.ngton is watching t'other half, and,
rom the presidents wife down, most
the women are secesh!"
Brant suddenly fixed his keen ewes
his guest. But the next moment he
that this was only jim Hook
usual speech and possessed no ul-
.erior significance. He smiled again
said gently:
And how Is Mrs. Hooker"
Mr.. Hooker fixed his eyes on the cell
ne, rose, pretended to look out of the
window; then, taking his seal again by
he table, as II fronting an imaginary
audience, and pulling slowly at his
sauntlets. after the usual theatrical in
iication of a perfect sang froid, said:
There amt any"
GOOD h~eavens!" said Brant, with
Genuine emotion. II beg your pardon
L"
Mrs. locker and me are divorced"
Hooker, slightly changing
lis attitude and leaning heavily on his
Iaber, with his eyes still on his fancifuI
audience. There was, you under
and ,'-lightly tossing his gauntlet
side-"fncompatibility of temper!-
lnd-we-parted. Hal" he uttered a
bitter, scornful laugh, which, how
yer, produced the distinct impression
n Grants mind that up to that mo-
nent he had never had the slightest
ceiling In the matter whatever.
You seemed to be on such good
erms with each other" murmured !
3rant, vaguely.
Seemed said Hooker bitterly.
dancing S~ardOnicallv ar ~ ;ao.I -