Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-11-03
clarence
BY BRET HARTE.

les. be1ore q gun was fired 1t APP
peared that the enemy was in com
plete possession of all our plans, and
knew every detail of our formed
movements. All had to be changed
The younger man now instantly UNI
derstood the incomprehensible order
OF the day before. The general of
division continued, with his first
touch of official formality. "You UNI
derstand, therefore, General Brant,
that in the face of this extraordinary
~treachery the utmost vigilance is re-
CURED, and a complete surveillance of
your camp followers and civilians to
detect the actual spy within u lines
or the traitor we are harboring who
has become possessed OF this informa-
o You will overhaul your brigade,
n weed out all suspects, and in the
position which you are to take to-
morrow and the plantation you will
occupy, you will see that your private
quarters, as well as your lines, are
cleared of all but those you care much
for He refined in his horse, again
extended his hand, saluted and re-
joined his staff.
B%rigadier General Clarence Brant
remained for a moment with his head
bent in admiring contemplation of the
coolness of his veteran chief, under
this exciting disclosure, and the STRAIT
egg with which he had frustrated the
traitors success. Then his eye caught
the sealed packet in his belt, He me-
chanically drew It out and broke the
seal. The envelope was filled with
paper and m~emorandums. AS he
nIapnal ak 4ha,~, III. 3D. l.l..ol .-I
his brow knit. He glanced quickly
around him. The staff had trotted
away; the captain and his detail were
continuing their work at a little dis
lance. He took a long breath, he was
holding In his hand a tracing of their
position, even of the position he was
to occupy tomorrow, and n detailed
recount of the movements, plans and
force of the whole division, as had
been arranged in council of war the
day before the battle, but there was
no indication of the writer or his in
tentions.
He thrust the paper hurriedly back
into the envelope, and placed 1t, this
time, in his breast. He galloped to-
wards the captain:
Let me see the officer from whom
you tOOh InaU packet
The captain led him to where the
body lay, with others, extended more
decently on the grass awaiting re-
moval. General Brant with difficulty
depressed an ejaculation.
why, it's one of our own men!" he
said quickly.
eyes, general. They say it's Lieu
tenant Wainwright, a regular of the
division supply department"
"Then what was he doing hereP"
asked General Brant, sternly.
II cant make out, sir, unless he
went into the last advance as a vol
unteer. Wanted to see the fight, l
reckon. He was a dashing fellow, a
West Pointer-and q southerner, too
"a Virginian."
"A ~Virginian!" echoed Drant, quick
ly.
"Yes, sir"
Search him again." said Brant quiz
city. He had recovered his usual cool
ness, and as the captain again exam
ined the body, he took out his tablets
and wrote n few lines. 1t was an or
der to search the quarters of Lieuten-
ant Wainwright, and bring all papers,
letters and documents to him. He
then beckoned one of the detail to-
ward him. Take hat to the provost
marshal at once. Well, captain" he
added calmly, as the officer again APP
preached him, what do you find?"
"Only this, SIR" returned the cap
tain, with a half smile, producing a
small photograph. 81 suppose it was
overlooked, too" He handed it to
Brant.
There was a sudden fixing of his
commanding officers eyes, but his
face did not otherwise change.
"The usual find, general. But this
time rather a handsome woman"
"Very," said Clarence Brant, quiet
ly. 1t was the portrait of his own
wife!