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

ways thought that Mrs. Hooker was
intensely union and northern"
Put on" said Hooker. in his natural
voice.
but you remember the incident Of
the flag? persisted Brant.
Mrs. Hooker was always an act
ress," said Hooker significantly. But"
ne added cheerfully, Mrs. Hooker Is
now the wife Of Senator Boompointer,
one of the w~ealthiest and most power
fui republicans In misunderstanding
the patronage Of the whole west I'm his
vest pocketl''
Y II she Is not a republican-why
did she"--began Brant.
FOL a purpose responded Hooker,
darkly. But" he added again with
greater cheerfulness, 'she belongs to
the very elite of Washington society.
Goes to all the foreign ambassadors
balls, N Is a power at the white
houses, Her picture is In all the first
class illustrated papers,
The singular but unmistakable pride
OF the man In the importance of the
wife from whom he was divorced, and
for whom he did not care. would have
offended Brant's delicacy; or at least
have excited his ridicule; but for the
reason that he was more deeply stung
by Hooker's allusion to his own wife
and his degrading similitude Of their
two conditions. But he dismissed the
former as part Of Hooker's invincible
and still boyish extravaganza. and the
latter as part OF his equally character
istic assumption. Perhaps he was con-
scious, too, Notwithstanding the lapse
or years and the combination OF sepa-
ration n fbrgetfulness. that he de-
served little delicacy from the hands
Of Susy's husband.
Nevertheless he dreaded to hear him
speak again of her. And the fear was
realized in a question.
Does she know you are here?"
"Who?" said Brant, CURLY.
Your wife. That isl reckon she's
your wife still. eh?"
II do not know that she knows re-
turned Brant quietly. He had regained
his self-composure.
"Susy-Mrs. Senator Boompointer,
that is"-he seemed to feel a certain
dignity In his late wife's new title,
allowed. that she'd gone abroad on a
secret mission from the southern con-
f~ederacy to them crowned heads over
there. She was good at ropin' men in.
you know. Anyhow, Susy-afore she
was Mrs. Boompointer-was dead set
on nndin' out where she was-but
never could. She seemed to drop out
of sight a year ago. Some said one
thing and some said another. But you
can bet your bottom dollar hat Mrs.
Senator B~oompointer, who knows how
TO pull all the wires in Washington,
Will know III anyone does"
But is Mrs. Boompointer really dis
affected and q southern sympathizer,"
said Brant, "or is 1t only caprice or
fashion," While speaking he had risen
with a half distracted face and had
gone to the window, where he stood in
a lettering attitude. Presently he
opened the window and stepped out
side. Hooker wonderingly followed
him. One or two officers had already
stepped out OF their rooms, and were
standing upon the veranda, another
had halted In the path. Then one
quickly re-entered the house, reappared
with his cap and sword in hts hand and
ran lightly toward the guard house. A
slight cracking noise seemed to come
from beyond the garden wall.
What's up?" said Hooker, with star
ing eyes.
Picket firing"
The cracking suddenly became a
long rattle. Brant d~e-entered the
room, and picked up his hat.
You'll excuse me for a few mo-
ments?"
A hollow sound shook the house,
What's that?" gasped Hooker.
Cannon"