The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-09-03

note, and Mr.. Vernon met, soon alter
this, in q restaurant not far from
Jackson's headquarters, on Royal
street, where they discussed the mat
ter in characteristic way.
The restaurant was one of the bess
in the city, and situated, as already
stated, only few doors distant from
the house in which the commanding
officer had established his head
quarters. Indeed, Faval and Mr..
Vernon were fresh from the exasper.
ating interview already mentioned.
They were, perhaps, pleasurably sur.
prised when on the moment Lorins
chanced to drop in and join them as
the table.
"You are ordered, SIR" said Faval,
in mock military manner, "to put
On the uniform OF private soldier
and report with gun and accouter-
ments to General Jackson"
Loring smiled coldiy, and, resting
his elbows on the table, turned in
quiring glances from one to the other
of his companions.
Jackson tlatly refuses to appoint
you." said Mr.. Vern.n. setting a
strong tone of ve1ation in his words.
"He treated US as if we had been two
old women"
"And told u.s." added Faval. "that
everybody must forget Office, though I
took notice that he did not offer to re-
sign his own Office"
"It was quite unexpected" Mr..
Vernon went on. 81 thought he
would appoint you without word on
such recommendations as we were
able to offer; but he refused in terms
almost unbearab!y offensive, as if the
thought set him in a rage. He was
dignided enough, too; but I saw
anger in his eyes,"
Loring did not change countenance,
or, if he did, it was but to broaden
his sardouic smile.
81 am not surprised" he remarked,
breaking biscuit with the most in
different air; "it was 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 Loring a quick, warn
ing glance which the latter UNDER
stoood at once.
Without all instant's hesitation and
emitting rot 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 I should do, if I
were he, under all the circumstances.
I know something of General Jack
son; he is q contemptible, 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 flash of fire.
fly.
TITS a high-handed beginning, to
say the least" growled Faval, "and
for my part don't relish it; though,
for that matter, 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 O mechanical
show of lightness. "-a! He will
soon find out his mistake, I hope"
"He takes Lieutenant Ballauche
instead of you," Faval remarked
turning to Loring. "The boy seems
to be cheek by .jowl 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.
"Ballaache is to be bis son-in-law,
I understand. {"
"Ta! Love rules war, too, eh?"
"Perhaps-when loves controls
money"
There was a moment Of silence, and
then Mr.. Vernon, learing back in his
chair and strokinS his tumbled beard,
added:
lit strikes me, IN spite of myself,
that General Jackson is just the man
for the place he has taken with such
aplomb.
Faval WINGED, inwardly if not out.
wardly. There was touch of resent
ment in his tone when he said:
ooh, he will make us all bestir 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
steps he is taking lock to me more like