第6章

"Yes，gentlemen，"saidHooker，examininghisglassdramatically，"whenaman’sbeencoopedupinaRebelprison，withadeathlinebeforehimthathe’sobligedtocrosseverytimehewantsasquaredrink，itseemssortoflikeadreamofhisboyhoodtobestandin’

herecomf’blebeforehisliquor，alongsideo’whitemenoncemore。

Andwhenheknowshe’sbinputtoallthattroublejesttosavethereputationofanotherman，andthesecretsofafewhighandmightyones，it’salmostenoughtomakehisliquorgoaginhim。"Hestoppedtheatrically，seemedtochokeemotionallyoverhisbrandysquash，butwithapauseofdramaticdeterminationfinallydasheditdown。"No，gentlemen，"hecontinuedgloomily，"Idon’tsaywhatI’mbackinWashingtonFOR——Idon’tsaywhatI’vebeensayin’tomyselfwhenI’vebinpickingtheweevilsoutermybiscuitsinLibbyPrison——butefyoudon’tseesomeprettybigmenintheWarDepartmentobligedtoclimbdowninthenextfewdays，mynameain’tJimHooker，ofHooker，Meacham&Co。，ArmyBeefContractors，andthemanwhosavedthefightatGrayOaks！"

Thesmileofsatisfactionthatwentaroundhisaudience——anaudiencequicktoseizetheweaknessofanyperformance——mighthavestartledavanitylessobliviousthanHooker’s；butitonlyarousedBrant’sindignationandpity，andmadehispositionstillmoreintolerable。

ButHooker，scornfullyexpectoratingathinstreamoftobaccojuiceagainstthespittoon，remainedforaninstantgloomilysilent。

"Tellusaboutthefightagain，"saidasmilingauditor。

Hookerlookedaroundtheroomwithacertaindarksuspiciousness，andthen，inanaffectedlowervoice，whichhistheatricalexperiencemadeperfectlyaudible，wenton：——

"Itain’tmuchtospeakof，andifitwasn’tfortheprincipleofthething，Iwouldn’tbetalking。Amanwho’sseenInjinfightin’

don’tgomuchonthishereWestPointfightin’byrule-of-three——

butthatain’thereorthere！Well，I’dbinouta-scoutin’——justtohelptheboysalong，andIwassittin’inmywagonaboutdaybreak，whenalongcomesabrigadier-general，andhelooksintothewagonflap。Ioughtertotellyoufirst，gentlemen，thateveryminithewasexpectinganattack——buthedidn’tletonahintofittome。’Howareyou，Jim？’saidhe。’Howareyou，general？’saidI。’Wouldyoumindlendin’meyourcoatandhat？’sayshe。’I’vegotalittlegameherewithourpickets，andIdon’twanttoberecognized。’’Anythingtooblige，general，’saidI，andwiththatIstripsoffmycoatandhat，andhepeelsandputsthemon。

’Nearlythesamefigure，Jim，’hesays，lookin’atme，’supposeyoutryonmythingsandsee。’Withthathehandsmehiscoat——fulluniform，byG-d！——withthelittlegoldcordsandlacesandtheepauletteswithastar，andIputsiton——quiteinnocent-like。Andthenhesays，handin’mehisswordandbelt，’Sameinchesroundthewaist，Ireckon，’andIputsthatontoo。’Youmayaswellkeep’emontillIcomeback，’sayshe，’forit’smightydampandmalariousatthistimearoundtheswamp。’Andwiththathelightsout。Well，gentlemen，Ihadn’tsattherefiveminutesbeforeBang！

bang！rattle！rattle！kershiz！andIhearsayell。Istepsoutofthewagon；everything’squitedark，buttherattlegoeson。Thenalongtrotsanorderly，leadin’ahorse。’Mount，general，’hesays，’we’reattacked——therear-guard’sonus！’"

Hepaused，lookedroundhisaudience，andtheninalowervoice，saiddarkly，——

"Iain’tafool，an’inthatminuteaman’sbrainworksathighpressure，andIsawitall！Isawthelittlegameofthebrigadiertoskunkawayinmyclothesandleavemetobecapturedinhis。

ButIain’tadogneither，andImountedthathorse，gentlemen，andlitouttowherethemenwereformin’！Ididn’tdaretospeak，lesttheyshouldknowme，butIwavedmysword，andbyG-d！theyfollowedme！Andthenextminitwewasinthethickofit。Ihadmyhatasfullofholesasthaticestrainer；Ihadadozenbulletsthroughmycoat，thefringeofmyepauletteswasshotaway，butI

kepttheboysattheirwork——andwestopped’em！Stopped’em，gentlemen，untilweheardthebuglesoftherestofourdivision，thatallthistimehadbeenrollingthatblastedrear-guardoveronus！Anditsavedthefight；butthenextminutetheJohnnyRebsmadealastdashandcutmeoff——andthereIwas——byG-d，aprisoner！Methathadsavedthefight！"

ArippleofironicalapplausewentroundasHookergloomilydrainedhisglass，andthenhelduphishandinscornfuldeprecation。

"IsaidIwasaprisoner，gentlemen，"hewentonbitterly；"butthatain’tall！IaskedtoseeJohnston，toldhimwhatIhaddone，anddemandedtobeexchangedforageneralofficer。Hesaid，’Youbed————d。’Ithensentwordtothedivisioncommander-in-chief，andtoldhimhowIhadsavedGrayOakswhenhisbrigadierranaway，andhesaid，’Youbed————d。’I’vebin’Youbed————d’fromthelowestnon-com。tothecommander-in-chief，andwhenIwasatlastexchanged，Iwasexchanged，gentlemen，fortwomulesandabrokenwagon。ButI’mhere，gentlemen——asIwasthar！"

"Whydon’tyouseethePresidentaboutit？"askedabystander，inaffectedcommiseration。

Mr。Hookerstaredcontemptuouslyatthesuggestion，andexpectoratedhisscornfuldissent。

"Notmuch！"hesaid。"ButI’mgoingtoseethemanthatcarrieshimandhisCabinetinhisbreeches-pocket——SenatorBoompointer。"

"Boompointer’sabigman，"continuedhisauditordoubtfully。"Doyouknowhim？"

"Knowhim？"Mr。Hookerlaughedabitter，sardoniclaugh。"Well，gentlemen，Iain’tthekindo’mantogoinforfamilyinfluence；

but，"headded，withgloomyelevation，"consideringhe’sanintimaterelationofmine，BYMARRIAGE，IshouldsayIdid。"

Brantheardnomore；thefacingaroundofhisoldcompaniontowardsthebargavehimthatopportunityofescapinghehadbeenwaitingfor。ThedefectionofHookerandhispeculiarinventionsweretoocharacteristicofhimtoexcitesurprise，and，althoughtheynolongerawakenedhisgood-humoredtolerance，theywerepowerlesstoaffecthiminhisgreatertrouble。Onlyonethinghelearned——thatHookerknewnothingofhiswifebeingincampasaspy——theincidentwouldhavebeentootemptingtohaveescapedhisdramaticembellishment。AndtheallusiontoSenatorBoompointer，monstrousasitseemedinHooker’smouth，gavehimagrimtemptation。HehadheardofBoompointer’swonderfulpower；hebelievedthatSusywouldandcouldhelphim——Clarence——whethershedidordidnothelpHooker。Butthenextmomenthedismissedtheidea，withaflushingcheek。Howlowhadhealreadysunk，eventothinkofit！

IthadbeenonceortwiceinhismindtoseekthePresident，and，underapromiseofsecrecy，revealapartofhisstory。Hehadheardmanyanecdotesofhisgoodnessofheartandgeneroustoleranceofallthings，butwiththiswasjoined——sosaidcontemporaneoushistory——aflippancyofspeechandabrutalityofdirectnessfromwhichClarence’ssensibilityshrank。Wouldheseeanythinginhiswifebutacommonspyonhisarmy；wouldheseeanythinginhimbuttheweakvictim，likemanyothers，ofaschemingwoman？StoriescurrentincampandCongressofthewaythatthisgrimhumoristhad，withanappositeanecdoteoraruggedillustration，brushedawaythemostdelicatesentimentorthesubtlestpoetry，evenashehadexposedtheshamofPuritanicmoralityorofEpicureanethics。Branthadevensolicitedanaudience，buthadretiredawkwardly，andwithhisconfidenceunspoken，beforethedark，humorouseyes，thatseemedalmosttootolerantofhisgrievance。Hehadbeentolevees，andhishearthadsunkequallybeforethevulgarcrowd，whoseemedtoregardthismanastheirownbuffoon，andthepompousnessofposition，learninganddignity，whichheseemedtodelighttoshakeanddisturb。

Oneafternoon，afewdayslater，insheerlistlessnessofpurpose，hefoundhimselfagainattheWhiteHouse。ThePresidentwasgivingaudiencetoadeputationoffanatics，who，withapatheticsimplicityalmostequaltohisownpathetictolerance，wereurginguponthisrulerofmillionsthepolicyofaninsignificantscore，andBrantlistenedtohispatient，practicalresponseoffactsandlogic，clothedinsimplebutsinewyEnglish，uptotheinevitableclimaxofhumorousillustration，whichtheyoungbrigadiercouldnowseewasnecessarytorelievethegrimnessofhisrefusal。ForthefirsttimeBrantfeltthecouragetoaddresshim，andresolvedtowaituntilthedeputationretired。Astheyleftthegalleryhelingeredintheante-roomforthePresidenttoappear。But，ashedidnotcome，afraidoflosinghischances，hereturnedtothegallery。Aloneinhisprivacyandshadow，themanhehadjustleftwasstandingbyacolumn，inmotionlessabstraction，lookingoverthedistantgarden。Butthekindly，humorousfacewasalmosttragicwithanintensityofweariness！Everylineofthosestrong，rusticfeatureswasrelaxedunderaburdenwhicheventhelong，lank，angularfigure——overgrownandunfinishedashisownWest——

seemedtobedistortedinitseffortstoadjustitselfto；whilethedark，deep-seteyeswereabstractedwiththevagueprescienceoftheprophetandthemartyr。Shockedatthatsuddenchange，Brantfelthischeekburnwithshame。Andhewasabouttobreakuponthatweariedman’sunbending；hewasabouttoaddhispettyburdentotheshouldersofthisWesternAtlas。Hedrewbacksilently，anddescendedthestairs。

Butbeforehehadleftthehouse，whileminglingwiththecrowdinoneofthelargerrooms，hesawthePresidentreappearbesideanimportant，prosperous-lookingfigure，onwhomthekindlygiantwasnowsmilingwithhumoroustoleration。Henoticedthedividedattentionofthecrowd；thenameofSenatorBoompointerwasuponeverylip；hewasnearlyfacetofacewiththatfamousdispenserofplaceandpreferment——thissecondhusbandofSusy！Anindescribablefeeling——halfcynical，halffateful——cameoverhim。HewouldnothavebeensurprisedtoseeJimHookerjointhethrong，whichnowseemedtohimtoevendwarfthelonelycentralfigurethathadsolatelytouchedhim！Hewantedtoescapeitall！

ButhisfatebroughthimtotheentranceatthesamemomentthatBoompointerwasleavingit，andthatdistinguishedmanbrushedhastilybyhimasagorgeouscarriage，drawnbytwospiritedhorses，anddrivenbyaresplendentnegrocoachman，dashedup。

ItwastheBoompointercarriage。

Afashionably-dressed，prettywoman，who，instyle，bearing，opulentcontentment，andingenuousself-consciousness，wasinperfectkeepingwiththeslightostentationoftheequipage，wasitsonlyoccupant。AsBoompointersteppedintothevehicle，herblueeyesfellforaninstantonBrant。Ahappy，childlikepinkflushcameintohercheeks，andavioletrayofrecognitionandmischiefdartedfromhereyestohis。ForitwasSusy。

CHAPTERII。

WhenBrantreturnedtohishoteltherewasanaugmentedrespectinthevoiceoftheclerkashehandedhimanotewiththeremarkthatithadbeenleftbySenatorBoompointer’scoachman。HehadnodifficultyinrecognizingSusy’speculiarlyBrobdingnagianschool-

girlhand。

"Kla’uns，Icallitrealmean！IbelieveyoujustHOPEDIwouldn’tknowyou。Ifyou’reabitlikeyouroldselfyou’llcomerightoffhere——thisverynight！I’vegotabigpartyon——butwecantalksomewherebetweentheacts！Haven’tIgrowed？Tellme！Andmy！

whatagloomyswelltheyoungbrigadieris！Thecarriagewillcomeforyou——soyouhavenoexcuse。"

TheeffectofthischildishnoteuponBrantwasstrangelyoutofproportiontoitstriviality。ButthenitwasSusy’sverytriviality——soexpressiveofhercharacteristicirresponsibility——

whichhadalwaysaffectedhimatsuchmoments。Again，asatRobles，hefeltitreactagainsthisownethics。Wasshenotrightinherdelightfulmaterialism？WasshenothappierthanifshehadbeenconsistentlytruetoMrs。Peyton，totheconvent，totheepisodeofhertheatricalcareer，toJimHooker——eventohimself？

AnddidheconscientiouslybelievethatHookerorhimselfhadsufferedfromherinconsistency？No！Fromallthathehadheard，shewasasuitablehelpmatetothesenator，inhersocialattractiveness，hercharmingostentations，herengagingvanitythatdisarmedsuspicion，andherlackofresponsibilityeveninherpartisanship。Nobodyeverdaredtoholdthesenatorresponsibleforherpromises，evenwhileenjoyingthefellowshipofboth，anditissaidthattheworthymansingularlyprofitedbyit。Lookingupontheinvitationasapossibledistractiontohisgloomythoughts，Brantresolvedtogo。

ThemoonwashighasthecarriagewhirledhimoutofthestillstiflingavenuestowardstheSoldiers’Home——asylvansuburbfrequentedbycabinetministersandthePresident——wherethegoodSenatorhad"decreed，"likeKublaKhan，"astatelypleasuredome，"

toentertainhisfriendsandpartisans。Astheyapproachedthehouse，thetremblinglightlikefirefliesthroughtheleaves，thewarmsilencebrokenonlybyamilitarybandplayingadrowsywaltzontheveranda，andtheheavyodorsofjessamineintheair，thrilledBrantwithasenseofshameashethoughtofhisoldcomradesinthefield。Butthiswaspresentlydissipatedbytheuniformsthatmethiminthehall，withthepresenceofsomeofhisdistinguishedsuperiors。Attheheadofthestairs，withacirclingbackgroundoftheshiningcrossesandribbonsofthediplomaticcorps，stoodSusy——herbarearmsandneckglitteringwithdiamonds，herfaceradiantwithchildlikevivacity。A

significantpressureofherlittlegloveashemadehisbowseemedtobehisonlywelcome，butamomentlatershecaughthisarm。

"You’veyettoknowHIM，"shesaidinahalfwhisper；"hethinksagooddealofhimself——justlikeJim。Buthemakesothersbelieveit，andthat’swherepoorJimslippedup。"Shepausedbeforethemanthuscharacteristicallydisposedof，andpresentedBrant。Itwasthemanhehadseenbefore——material，capable，dogmatic。A

glancefromhisshrewdeyes——accustomedtotheweighingofmen’sweaknessesandambitions——andafewhurriedphrases，apparentlysatisfiedhimthatBrantwasnotjustthenimportantoravailabletohim，andthetwomen，amomentlater，driftedeasilyapart。

Brantsaunteredlistlesslythroughthecrowdedrooms，halfremorsefullyconsciousthathehadtakensomeirrevocablestep，andnonethelessassuredbythepresenceoftwoorthreereportersandcorrespondentswhoweredogginghissteps，ortheglanceoftwoorthreeprettywomenwhosecuriosityhadevidentlybeenarousedbythesingularabstractionofthishandsome，distinguished，butsardonic-lookingofficer。Butthenextmomenthewasgenuinelymoved。

Atallyoungwomanhadjustglidedintothecentreoftheroomwithanindolentyetsupplegracefulnessthatseemedfamiliartohim。A

changeinherpositionsuddenlyrevealedherface。ItwasMissFaulkner。PreviouslyhehadknownheronlyintheridinghabitofConfederategraywhichshehadatfirstaffected，orinthelightmuslinmorningdressshehadwornatGrayOaks。Itseemedtohim，to-night，thatthestudiedeleganceofherfulldressbecameherstillmore；thattheprettywillfulnessofherchinandshoulderswaschastenedandmodifiedbythepearlsroundherfairthroat。

Suddenlytheireyesmet；herfacepaledvisibly；hefanciedthatshealmostleanedagainsthercompanionforsupport；thenshemethisglanceagainwithafaceintowhichthecolorhadassuddenlyrushed，butwitheyesthatseemedtobeappealingtohimeventothepointofpainandfright。Brantwasnotconceited；hecouldseethatthegirl’sagitationwasnottheeffectofanymerepersonalinfluenceinhisrecognition，butofsomethingelse。Heturnedhastilyaway；whenhelookedaroundagainshewasgone。

Neverthelesshefeltfilledwithavagueirritation。Didshethinkhimsuchafoolastoimperilhersafetybyopenlyrecognizingherwithoutherconsent？Didshethinkthathewoulddaretopresumeupontheserviceshehaddonehim？Or，moreoutrageousthought，hadsheheardofhisdisgrace，knownitscause，andfearedthathewoulddragherintoadisclosuretosavehimself？No，no；shecouldnotthinkthat！Shehadperhapsregrettedwhatshehaddoneinafreakofgirlishchivalry；shehadreturnedtoheroldfeelingsandpartisanship；shewasonlystartledatmeetingthesinglewitnessofherfolly。Well，sheneednotfear！Hewouldasstudiouslyavoidherhereafter，andsheshouldknowit。Andyet——

yes，therewasa"yet。"Forhecouldnotforget——indeed，inthepastthreeweeksithadbeenmoreoftenbeforehimthanhecaredtothink——thatshewastheonehumanbeingwhohadbeencapableofagreatactofself-sacrificeforhim——herenemy，heraccuser，themanwhohadscarcelytreatedhercivilly。Hewasashamedtoremembernowthatthisthoughthadoccurredtohimatthebedsideofhiswife——atthehourofherescape——evenonthefatalslopeonwhichhehadbeenstruckdown。Andnowthisfondillusionmustgowiththerest——thegirlwhohadservedhimsoloyallywasashamedofit！Abittersmilecrossedhisface。

"Well，Idon’twonder！Hereareallthewomenaskingmewhoisthatgood-lookingMephistopheles，withtheburningeyes，whoisprowlingaroundmyroomsasifsearchingforavictim。Why，you’resmilingforalltheworldlikepoorJimwhenheusedtodotheRedAvenger。"

Susy’svoice——andillustration——recalledhimtohimself。

"FuriousImaybe，"hesaidwithagentlersmile，althoughhiseyesstillglittered，"furiousthatIhavetowaituntiltheonewomanI

cametosee——theonewomanIhavenotseenforsolong，whilethesepuppetshavebeennightlydancingbeforeher——cangivemeafewmomentsfromthem，totalkoftheolddays。"

Inhisreactionhewasquitesincere，althoughhefeltaslightsenseofremorseashesawthequick，faintcolorrise，asinthoseolddays，eventhroughtheto-night’spowderofhercheek。

"That’sliketheoldKla’uns，"shesaid，withaslightpressureofhisarm，"butwewillnothaveachancetospeakuntillater。Whentheyarenearlyallgone，you’lltakemetogetalittlerefreshment，andwe’llhaveachatintheconservatory。Butyoumustdropthatawfullywickedlookandmakeyourselfgenerallyagreeabletothosewomenuntilthen。"

Itwas，perhaps，partofthisreactionwhichenabledhimtoobeyhishostess’commandswithacertainrecklessnessthat，however，seemedtobeinkeepingwiththepreviousSatanicreputationhehadallunconsciouslyachieved。Thewomenlistenedtothecynicalflippancyofthisgood-lookingsoldierwithanundisguisedadmirationwhichinturnexcitedcuriosityandenvyfromhisownsex。Hesawthewhisperedquestioning，theliftedeyebrows，scornfulshruggingofshoulders——andknewthatthestoryofhisdisgracewasintheair。ButIfearthisonlyexcitedhimtofurtherrecklessnessandtriumph。OncehethoughtherecognizedMissFaulkner’sfigureatadistance，andevenfanciedthatshehadbeenwatchinghim；butheonlyredoubledhisattentionstothefairwomanbesidehim，andlookednomore。

Yethewasgladwhentheguestsbegantodropoff，thegreatroomsthinned，andSusy，appearingonthearmofherhusband，coquettishlyremindedhimofhispromise。

"ForIwanttotalktoyouofoldtimes。GeneralBrant，"shewenton，turningexplanatorilytoBoompointer，"marriedmyadoptedmotherinCalifornia——atRobles，adearoldplacewhereIspentmyearliestyears。So，yousee，wearesortofrelationsbymarriage，"sheadded，withdelightfulnaivete。

Hooker’sownvaingloriousallusiontohisrelationstothemanbeforehimflashedacrossBrant’smind，butitleftnowonlyasmileonhislips。Hefelthehadalreadybecomeapartoftheirresponsiblecomedyplayedaroundhim。Whyshouldheresist，orexamineitsethicstooclosely？HeofferedhisarmtoSusyastheydescendedthestairs，but，insteadofpausinginthesupper-room，shesimplypassedthroughitwithasignificantpressureonhisarm，and，drawingasideamuslincurtain，steppedintothemoonlitconservatory。Behindthecurtaintherewasasmallrusticsettee；

withoutreleasinghisarmshesatdown，sothatwhenhedroppedbesideher，theirhandsmet，andmutuallyclasped。

"Now，Kla’uns，"shesaid，withaslight，comfortableshiverasshenestledbesidehim，"it’salittlelikeyourchairdownatoldRobles，isn’tit？——tellme！Andtothinkit’sfiveyearsago！

But，Kla’uns，what’sthematter？Youarechanged，"shesaid，lookingathisdarkfaceinthemoonlight，"oryouhavesomethingtotellme。"

"Ihave。"

"Andit’ssomethingdreadful，Iknow！"shesaid，wrinklingherbrowswithaprettyterror。"Couldn’tyoupretendyouhadtoldittome，andletusgoonjustthesame？Couldn’tyou，Kla’uns？

Tellme！"

"IamafraidIcouldn’t，"hesaid，withasadsmile。

"Isitaboutyourself，Kla’uns？Youknow，"shewentonwithcheerfulrapidity，"Iknoweverythingaboutyou——Ialwaysdid，youknow——andIdon’tcare，andneverdidcare，anditdon’t，andneverdid，maketheslightestdifferencetome。Sodon’ttellit，andwastetime，Kla’uns。"

"It’snotaboutme，butaboutmywife！"hesaidslowly。

Herexpressionchangedslightly"Oh，her！"shesaidafterapause。Then，half-resignedly，"Goon，Kla’uns。"

Hebegan。Hehadadozentimesrehearsedtohimselfhismiserablestory，alwaysfeelingitkeenly，andevenfearingthathemightbecarriedawaybyemotionormorbidsentimentintellingittoanother。But，tohisastonishment，hefoundhimselftellingitpractically，calmly，almostcynically，tohisoldplaymate，repressingthehalfdevotionandeventendernessthathadgovernedhim，fromthetimethathiswife，disguisedasthemulattowoman，hadsecretlywatchedhimathisoffice，tothehourthathehadpassedthroughthelines。HewithheldonlytheincidentofMissFaulkner’scomplicityandsacrifice。

"Andshegotaway，afterhavingkickedyououtofyourplace，Kla’uns？"saidSusy，whenhehadended。

Clarencestiffenedbesideher。Buthefelthehadgonetoofartoquarrelwithhisconfidante。

"Shewentaway。Ihonestlybelieveweshallnevermeetagain，orI

shouldnotbetellingyouthis！"

"Kla’uns，"shesaidlightly，takinghishandagain，"don’tyoubelieveit！Shewon’tletyougo。You’reoneofthosementhatawoman，whenshe’soncehookedonto，won’tletgoof，evenwhenshebelievesshenolongerloveshim，ormeetsbiggerandbettermen。

Ireckonit’sbecauseyou’resodifferentfromothermen；maybetherearesomanydifferentthingsaboutyoutohookonto，andyoudon’tslipoffaseasilyastheothers。Now，ifyouwerelikeoldPeyton，herfirsthusband，orlikepoorJim，orevenmyBoompointer，you’dbeallright！No，myboy，allwecandoistotrytokeepherfromgettingatyouhere。Ireckonshewon’ttrustherselfinWashingtonagaininahurry。"

"ButIcannotstayhere；mycareerisinthefield。"

"Yourcareerisalongsideo’me，honey——andBoompointer。ButnearerME。We’llfixallthat。Iheardsomethingaboutyourbeingindisgrace，butthestorywasthatyouweresweetonsomeseceshgirldownthere，andneglectedyourbusiness，Kla’uns。But，Lordy！

tothinkitwasonlyyourownwife！Nevermind；we’llstraightenthatout。We’vehadworsejobsthanthaton。Why，therewasthatcommissarywhowasbuyingupdeadhorsesatoneendofthefield，andsellingthemtotheGovernmentformessbeefattheother；andtherewasthatgeneralwhowouldn’tmakeanattackwhenitrained；

andtheothergeneral——youknowwhoImean，Kla’uns——whowouldn’tinvadetheStatewherehissisterlived；butwestraightenedthemout，somehow，andtheywereaheapworsethanyou。We’llgetyouapositioninthewardepartmenthere，oneofthebureauoffices，whereyoukeepyourrankandyouruniform——youdon’tlookbadinit，Kla’uns——onbetterpay。Andyou’llcomeandseeme，andwe’lltalkoveroldtimes。"

Brantfelthisheartturnsickwithinhim。Buthewasathermercynow！Hesaid，withaneffort，——

"ButI’vetoldyouthatmycareer——nay，myLIFE——nowisinthefield。"

"Don’tyoubeafool，Kla’uns，andleaveitthere！Youhavedoneyourworkoffighting——mightygoodfighting，too，——andeverybodyknowsit。You’veearnedachange。Letotherstakeyourplace。"

Heshuddered，asherememberedthathiswifehadmadethesameappeal。Washeafoolthen，andthesetwowomen——sototallyunlikeineverything——rightinthis？

"Come，Kla’uns，"saidSusy，relapsingagainagainsthisshoulder。

"Nowtalktome！Youdon’tsaywhatyouthinkofme，ofmyhome，ofmyfurniture，ofmyposition——evenofhim！Tellme！"

"Ifindyouwell，prosperous，andhappy，"hesaid，withafaintsmile。

"Isthatall？AndhowdoIlook？"

Sheturnedherstillyouthful，mischievousfacetowardshiminthemoonlight。Thewitcheryofherblueeyeswasstillthereasofold，thesamefrankirresponsibilitybeamedfromthem；herpartedlipsseemedtogivehimbackthebreathofhisyouth。Hestarted，butshedidnot。

"Susy，dear！"

Itwasherhusband’svoice。

"Iquiteforgot，"theSenatorwenton，ashedrewthecurtainaside，"thatyouareengagedwithafriend；butMissFaulkneriswaitingtosaygood-night，andIvolunteeredtofindyou。"

"Tellhertowaitamoment，"saidSusy，withanimpatiencethatwasasundisguisedasitwaswithoutembarrassmentorconfusion。

ButMissFaulkner，unconsciouslyfollowingMr。Boompointer，wasalreadyuponthem。Foramomentthewholefourweresilent，althoughperfectlycomposed。SenatorBoompointer，unconsciousofanyinfelicityinhisinterruption，wascalmlywaiting。Clarence，opposedsuddenlytotheyounggirlwhomhebelievedwasavoidinghisrecognition，rose，coldlyimperturbable。MissFaulkner，lookingtallerandmoreerectinthelongfoldsofhersatincloak，neitherpalednorblushed，assheregardedSusyandBrantwithasmileofwell-bredapology。

"IexpecttoleaveWashingtonto-morrow，andmaynotbeabletocallagain，"shesaid，"orIwouldnothavesoparticularlypressedaleave-takinguponyou。"

"Iwastalkingwithmyoldfriend，GeneralBrant，"saidSusy，morebywayofintroductionthanapology。

Brantbowed。ForaninstantthecleareyesofMissFaulknerslippedicilyacrosshisasshemadehimanold-fashionedSoutherncourtesy，and，takingSusy’sarm，shelefttheroom。Brantdidnotlinger，buttookleaveofhishostalmostinthesamebreath。Atthefrontdoorawell-appointedcarriageofoneoftheLegationshadjustrolledintowaiting。Helookedback；hesawMissFaulkner，erectandlookinglikeabrideinhergauzydraperies，descendingthestairsbeforethewaitingservants。Hefelthisheartbeatstrangely。Hehesitated，recalledhimselfwithaneffort，hurriedlysteppedfromtheporchintothepath，asheheardthecarriagedoorclosebehindhiminthedistance，andthenfeltthedustfromherhorse’shoofsrisearoundhimasshedrovepasthimandaway。

CHAPTERIII。

AlthoughBrantwasconvincedassoonasheleftthehousethathecouldnotacceptanythingfromtheBoompointerinfluence，andthathisinterviewwithSusywasfruitless，heknewthathemusttemporize。Whilehedidnotbelievethathisoldplaymatewouldwillinglybetrayhim，hewasuneasywhenhethoughtofthevanityandimpulsivenesswhichmightcompromisehim——orofapossiblejealousythatmightseekrevenge。YethehadnoreasontobelievethatSusy’snaturewasjealous，orthatshewaslikelytohaveanycause；butthefactremainedthatMissFaulkner’sinnocentintrusionupontheirtete-a-teteaffectedhimmorestronglythananythingelseinhisinterviewwithSusy。Onceoutoftheatmosphereofthathouse，itstruckhim，too，thatMissFaulknerwasalmostasmuchofanalieninitashimself。Hewonderedwhatshehadbeendoingthere。CoulditbepossiblethatshewasobtaininginformationfortheSouth？Butherejectedtheideaasquicklyasithadoccurredtohim。Perhapstherecouldbenostrongerproofoftheunconsciousinfluencetheyounggirlalreadyhadoverhim。

Herememberedtheliveriesofthediplomaticcarriagethathadborneheraway，andascertainedwithoutdifficultythathersisterhadmarriedoneoftheforeignministers，andthatshewasaguestinhishouse。ButhewasthemoreastonishedtohearthatsheandhersisterwereconsideredtobeSouthernUnionists——andweregreatlypettedingovernmentalcirclesfortheirsacrificingfidelitytotheflag。Hisinformant，anofficialintheStateDepartment，addedthatMissMatildamighthavebeenagooddealofamadcapattheoutbreakofthewar——forthesistershadabrotherintheConfederateservice——butthatshehadchangedgreatly，and，indeed，withinamonth。"For，"headded，"shewasattheWhiteHouseforthefirsttimelastweek，andtheysaythePresidenttalkedmoretoherthantoanyotherwoman。"

TheindescribablesensationwithwhichthissimpleinformationfilledBrantstartledhimmorethanthenewsitself。Hope，joy，fear，distrust，anddespair，alternatelydistractedhim。HerecalledMissFaulkner’salmostagonizingglanceofappealtohiminthedrawing-roomatSusy’s，anditseemedtobeequallyconsistentwiththetruthofwhathehadjustheard——orsomemonstroustreacheryanddeceitofwhichshemightbecapable。EvennowshemightbeasecretemissaryofsomespywithinthePresident’sfamily；shemighthavebeenincorrespondencewithsometraitorintheBoompointerclique，andherimploringglanceonlytheresultofafearofexposure。Or，again，shemighthavetrulyrecantedafterherescapadeatGrayOaks，andfearedonlyhisrecollectionofherasgo-betweenofspies。Andyetbothofthesepresumptionswereinconsistentwithherconductintheconservatory。Itseemedimpossiblethatthisimpulsivewoman，capableofdoingwhathehadhimselfknownhertodo，andequallysensitivetotheshameorjoyofsuchimpulses，shouldbethesameconventionalwomanofsocietywhohadsocoldlyrecognizedandpartedfromhim。

Butthisintervalofdoubtwastransitory。ThenextdayhereceivedadispatchfromtheWarDepartment，orderinghimtoreporthimselffordutyatonce。WithabeatinghearthehurriedtotheSecretary。ButthatofficialhadmerelyleftamemorandumwithhisassistantdirectingGeneralBranttoaccompanysomefreshleviestoacampof"organization"nearthefront。Brantfeltachillofdisappointment。Dutiesofthiskindhadbeenlefttodubiousregulararmyveterans，hurriedlydisplacedgeneralofficers，andfavoreddetrimentals。Butifitwasnotrestoration，itwasnolongerinaction，anditwasatleastareleasefromWashington。

Itwasalsoevidentlytheresultofsomeinfluence——buthardlythatoftheBoompointers，forheknewthatSusywishedtokeephimattheCapital。WasthereanotherpoweratworktosendhimawayfromWashington？Hispreviousdoubtsreturned。Norweretheydissipatedwhenthechiefofthebureauplacedaletterbeforehimwiththeremarkthatithadbeenentrustedtohimbyaladywiththerequestthatitshouldbedeliveredonlyintohisownhands。

"Shedidnotknowyourhoteladdress，butascertainedyouweretocallhere。Shesaiditwasofsomeimportance。Thereisnomysteryaboutit，General，"continuedtheofficialwithamischievousglanceatBrant’shandsome，perplexedface，"althoughit’sfromaveryprettywoman——whomweallknow。"

"Mrs。Boompointer？"suggestedBrant，withaffectedlightness。

Itwasamaladroitspeech。Theofficial’sfacedarkened。

"WehavenotyetbecomeaPostalDepartmentfortheBoompointers，General，"hesaiddryly，"howevergreattheirinfluenceelsewhere。

Itwasfromratheradifferentstyleofwoman——MissFaulkner。Youwillreceiveyourpaperslateratyourhotel，andleaveto-night。"

Brant’sunluckyslipwasstillpotentenoughtodiverttheofficialattention，orhewouldhavenoticedthechangeinhisvisitor’sface，andtheabruptnessofhisdeparture。

Onceinthestreet，Branttoreofftheenvelope。Butbeneathitwasanother，onwhichwaswritteninadelicate，refinedhand：

"Pleasedonotopenthisuntilyoureachyourdestination。"

Thensheknewhewasgoing！Andperhapsthiswasherinfluence？

Allhissuspicionsagainreturned。Sheknewhewasgoingnearthelines，andhisveryappointment，throughherpower，mightbeaplottoserveherandtheenemy！Wasthisletter，whichshewasentrustingtohim，thecoverofsomemissivetoherSouthernfriendswhichsheexpectedhimtocarry——perhapsasareturnforherownactofself-sacrifice？Wasthistheappealshehadbeenmakingtohischivalry，hisgratitude，hishonor？Theperspirationstoodinbeadsonhisforehead。Whatdefectlayhiddeninhisnaturethatseemedtomakehimaneasyvictimoftheseintriguingwomen？Hehadnoteventheexcuseofgallantry；lesssusceptibletothepotenciesofthesexthanmostmen，hewasstillcompelledtobearthatreputation。HerememberedhiscoldnesstoMissFaulknerinthefirstdaysoftheirmeeting，andhereffectuponhissubalterns。Whyhadsheselectedhimfromamongthem——whenshecouldhavemodeledtheotherslikewaxtoherpurposes？Why？Andyetwiththequestioncameapossibleanswerthathehardlydaredtothinkof——thatinitsveryvaguenessseemedtofillhimwithastimulatingthrillandhopefulness。Hequickenedhispace。Hewouldtaketheletter，andyetbemasterofhimselfwhenthetimecametoopenit。

Thattimecamethreedayslater，inhistentatThreePinesCrossing。Ashebrokeopentheenvelope，hewasrelievedtofindthatitcontainednootherinclosure，andseemedintendedonlyforhimself。Itbeganabruptly：——

"Whenyoureadthis，youwillunderstandwhyIdidnotspeaktoyouwhenwemetlastnight；whyIevendreadedthatyoumightspeaktome，knowing，asIdid，whatIoughttotellyouatthatplaceandmoment——somethingyoucouldonlyknowfromme。IdidnotknowyouwereinWashington，althoughIknewyouwererelieved；Ihadnowayofseeingyouorsendingtoyoubefore，andIonlycametoMrs。

Boompointer’spartyinthehopeofhearingnewsofyou。

"Youknowthatmybrotherwascapturedbyyourpicketsincompanywithanotherofficer。Hethinksyoususpectedthetruth——thatheandhisfriendwerehoveringnearyourlinestoeffecttheescapeofthespy。Buthesaysthat，althoughtheyfailedtohelpher，shedidescape，orwaspassedthroughthelinesbyyourconnivance。

Hesaysthatyouseemedtoknowher，thatfromwhatRose——themulattowoman——toldhim，youandshewereevidentlyoldfriends。

Iwouldnotspeakofthis，norintrudeuponyourprivateaffairs，onlythatIthinkyououghttoknowthatIhadnoknowledgeofitwhenIwasinyourhouse，butbelievedhertobeastrangertoyou。

Yougavemenointimationthatyouknewher，andIbelievedthatyouwerefrankwithme。ButIshouldnotspeakofthisatall——forIbelievethatitwouldhavemadenodifferencetomeinrepairingthewrongthatIthoughtIhaddoneyou——onlythat，asIamforcedbycircumstancestotellyoutheterribleendingofthisstory，yououghttoknowitall。

"Mybrotherwrotetomethattheeveningafteryouleft，theburyingpartypickedupthebodyofwhattheybelievedtobeamulattowomanlyingontheslope。ItwasnotRose，butthebodyoftheverywoman——therealandonlyspy——whomyouhadpassedthroughthelines。ShewasaccidentallykilledbytheConfederatesinthefirstattackuponyou，atdaybreak。Butonlymybrotherandhisfriendrecognizedherthroughherblackenedfaceanddisguise，andonthepleathatshewasaservantofoneoftheirfriends，theygotpermissionfromthedivisioncommandertotakeheraway，andshewasburiedbyherfriendsandamongherpeopleinthelittlecemeteryofThreePinesCrossing，notfarfromwhereyouhavegone。

MybrotherthoughtthatIoughttotellyouthis：itseemsthatheandhisfriendhadastrangesympathyforyouinwhattheyappeartoknoworguessofyourrelationswiththatwoman，andIthinkhewastouchedbywhathethoughtwasyourkindnessandchivalrytohimonaccountofhissister。ButIdonotthinkheeverknew，orwillknow，howgreatisthetaskthathehasimposeduponme。

"Youknownow，doyounot，WHYIdidnotspeaktoyouwhenwefirstmet；itseemedsoimpossibletodoitinanatmosphereandafestivitythatwassoincongruouswiththedreadfulmessageIwaschargedwith。AndwhenIhadtomeetyoulater——perhapsImayhavewrongedyou——butitseemedtomethatyouweresopreoccupiedandinterestedwithotherthingsthatImightperhapsonlybewearyingyouwithsomethingyoucaredlittlefor，orperhapsalreadyknewandhadquicklyforgotten。

"IhadbeenwantingtosaysomethingelsetoyouwhenIhadgotridofmydreadfulmessage。Idonotknowifyoustillcaretohearit。ButyouwereoncegenerousenoughtothinkthatIhaddoneyouaserviceinbringingalettertoyourcommander。AlthoughIknowbetterthananybodyelsethegenuinedevotiontoyourdutythatmadeyouacceptmypoorservice，fromallthatIcanhear，youhaveneverhadthecreditofit。Willyounottrymeagain？Iammoreinfavorhere，andImightyetbemoresuccessfulinshowingyoursuperiorshowtrueyouhavebeentoyourtrust，evenifyouhavelittlefaithinyourfriend，MatildaFaulkner。"

Foralongtimeheremainedmotionless，withtheletterinhishand。Thenhearose，orderedhishorse，andgallopedaway。

TherewaslittledifficultyinfindingthecemeteryofThreePinesCrossing——ahillsideslope，hearsedwithpineandcypress，andstarredwithwhitecrosses，thatinthedistancelookedlikeflowers。Stilllesswasthereinfindingthenewermarbleshaftamongtheolderlichen-spottedslabs，whichborethesimplewords：

"AliceBenham，Martyr。"AfewConfederatesoldiers，understillplainerandnewerwoodenheadstones，carvedonlywithinitials，layatherfeet。Brantsankonhiskneesbesidethegrave，buthewasshockedtoseethatthebaseofthemarblewasstainedwiththeredpollenofthefatefullily，whoseblossomshadbeenheapeduponhermound，butwhosefallenpetalslaydarkandsoddenindecay。

Howlongheremainedtherehedidnotknow。Andthenasolitarybuglefromthecampseemedtosummonhim，asithadoncebeforesummonedhim，andhewentaway——ashehadgonebefore——toaseparationthathenowknewwasforalltime。

Thenfollowedamonthofsuperintendenceanddrill，andtheinfusingintothelittlecampunderhisinstructionthespiritwhichseemedtobepassingoutofhisownlifeforever。Shutinbyalienhillsontheborderlandofthegreatstruggle，fromtimetotimereportsreachedhimofthebitterfighting，andalmostdisastroussuccessesofhisolddivisioncommander。OrderscamefromWashingtontohurrythepreparationofhisrawleviestothefield，andafainthopesprangupinhismind。ButfollowingitcameanotherdispatchorderinghisreturntotheCapital。

Hereacheditwithneitherhopenorfear——sobenumbedhadbecomehisspiritunderthislasttrial，andwhatseemedtobenowthemockeryofthislastsacrificetohiswife。Thoughitwasnolongeraquestionofherlifeandsafety，heknewthathecouldstillpreservehermemoryfromstainbykeepinghersecret，eventhoughitsdivulgingsmightclearhisown。Forthatreason，hehadevenhesitatedtoinformSusyofherdeath，inthefearthat，inherthoughtlessirresponsibilityandimpulsiveness，shemightbetemptedtouseitinhisfavor。Hehadmadehislateappointmentapleaforherwithholdinganypresenteffortstoassisthim。HeevenavoidedtheBoompointers’house，inwhathebelievedwaspartlyadutytothememoryofhiswife。ButhesawnoinconsistencyinoccasionallyextendinghislonelywalkstothevicinityofaforeignLegation，orinbeingliftedwithacertainexpectationatthesightofitsliveriesontheAvenue。Therewasacravingforsympathyinhisheart，whichMissFaulkner’sletterhadawakened。

Meantime，hehadreportedhimselffordutyattheWarDepartment——

withlittlehope，however，inthatformality。ButhewassurprisedthenextdaywhenthechiefofthebureauinformedhimthathisclaimwasbeforethePresident。

"IwasnotawarethatIhadpresentedanyclaim，"hesaid，alittlehaughtily。

Thebureauchieflookedupwithsomesurprise。Thisquiet，patient，reservedmanhadpuzzledhimonceortwicebefore。

"PerhapsIshouldsay’case，’General，"hesaid，drily。"Butthepersonalinterestofthehighestexecutiveinthelandstrikesmeasbeingdesirableinanything。"

"IonlymeanthatIhaveobeyedtheordersofthedepartmentinreportingmyselfhere，asIhavedone，"saidBrant，withlessfeeling，butnonethelessfirmness；"andIshouldimagineitwasnotthedutyofasoldiertoquestionthem。WhichIfancya’claim’ora’case’wouldimply。"

Hehadnoideaoftakingthisattitudebefore，butthedisappointmentsofthepastmonth，addedtothisfirstofficialnoticeofhisdisgrace，hadbroughtforwardthatdogged，reckless，yethalf-scornfulobstinacythatwaspartofhisnature。

Theofficialsmiled。

"Isuppose，then，youarewaitingtohearfromthePresident，"hesaiddrily。

"Iamawaitingordersfromthedepartment，"returnedBrantquietly，"butwhethertheyoriginateinthePresidentascommander-in-chief，ornot——itisnotformetoinquire。"

Evenwhenhereachedhishotelthishalf-savageindifferencewhichhadtakentheplaceofhisformerincertitudehadnotchanged。Itseemedtohimthathehadreachedthecrisisofhislifewherehewasnolongerafreeagent，andcouldwait，superioraliketoeffortorexpectation。AnditwaswithamerelydispassionatecuriositythathefoundanotethenextmorningfromthePresident’sprivatesecretary，informinghimthatthePresidentwouldseehimearlythatday。

AfewhourslaterhewasusheredthroughthepublicroomsoftheWhiteHousetoamoresecludedpartofthehousehold。Themessengerstoppedbeforeamodestdoorandknocked。Itwasopenedbyatallfigure——thePresidenthimself。HereachedoutalongarmtoBrant，whostoodhesitatinglyonthethreshold，graspedhishand，andledhimintotheroom。Ithadasingle，large，elaboratelydrapedwindowandahandsomemedallionedcarpet，whichcontrastedwiththeotherwisealmostappallingsimplicityofthefurniture。Asingleplainangulardesk，withablottingpadandafewsheetsoflargefoolscapuponit，awaste-paperbasketandfourplainarmchairs，completedtheinteriorwithacontrastassimpleandhomelyasitslong-limbed，black-coatedoccupant。Releasingthehandofthegeneraltoshutadoorwhichopenedintoanotherapartment，thePresidentshovedanarmchairtowardshimandsanksomewhatwearilyintoanotherbeforethedesk。Butonlyforamoment；thelongshamblinglimbsdidnotseemtoadjustthemselveseasilytothechair；thehighnarrowshouldersdroopedtofindamorecomfortableloungingattitude，shiftedfromsidetoside，andthelonglegsmoveddispersedly。YetthefacethatwasturnedtowardsBrantwashumorousandtranquil。

"IwastoldIshouldhavetosendforyouifIwishedtoseeyou，"

hesaidsmilingly。

Alreadymollified，andperhapsagainfallingunderthepreviousinfluenceofthissingularman，Brantbegansomewhathesitatinglytoexplain。

ButthePresidentcheckedhimgently，——

"Youdon’tunderstand。Itwassomethingnewtomyexperienceheretofindanable-bodiedAmericancitizenwithanhonestgenuinegrievancewhohadtohaveitdrawnfromhimlikeadecayedtooth。

Butyouhavebeenherebefore。Iseemtorememberyourface。"

Brant’sreservehadgone。Headmittedthathehadtwicesoughtanaudience——but——

"Youdodgedthedentist！Thatwaswrong。"AsBrantmadeaslightmovementofdeprecationthePresidentcontinued："Iunderstand！

Notfromfearofgivingpaintoyourselfbuttoothers。Idon’tknowthatTHATisright，either。Acertainamountofpainmustbesufferedinthisworld——evenbyone’senemies。Well，Ihavelookedintoyourcase，GeneralBrant。"Hetookupapieceofpaperfromhisdesk，scrawledwithtwoorthreenotesinpencil。"Ithinkthisisthewayitstands。YouwerecommandingapositionatGrayOakswheninformationwasreceivedbythedepartmentthat，eitherthroughneglectorcomplicity，spieswerepassingthroughyourlines。Therewasnoattempttoproveyourneglect；yourorders，thefactsofyourpersonalcareandprecaution，wereallbeforethedepartment。Butitwasalsoshownthatyourwife，fromwhomyouwereonlytemporarilyseparated，wasanotorioussecessionist；

that，beforethewar，youyourselfweresuspected，andthat，therefore，youwerequitecapableofevadingyourownorders，whichyoumayhaveonlygivenasablind。Onthisinformationyouwererelievedbythedepartmentofyourcommand。Lateronitwasdiscoveredthatthespywasnoneotherthanyourownwife，disguisedasamulatto；that，afterherarrestbyyourownsoldiers，youconnivedatherescape——andthiswasconsideredconclusiveproofof——well，letussay——yourtreachery。"

"ButIdidnotknowitwasmywifeuntilshewasarrested，"saidBrantimpulsvely。

ThePresidentknittedhiseyebrowshumorously。

"Don’tletustraveloutoftherecord，General。You’reasbadasthedepartment。Thequestionwasoneofyourpersonaltreachery，butyouneednotacceptthefactthatyouwerejustlyremovedbecauseyourwifewasaspy。Now，General，Iamanoldlawyer，andIdon’tmindtellingyouthatinIllinoiswewouldn’thangayellowdogonthatevidencebeforethedepartment。ButwhenIwasaskedtolookintothematterbyyourfriends，Idiscoveredsomethingofmoreimportancetoyou。Ihadbeentryingtofindascrapofevidencethatwouldjustifythepresumptionthatyouhadsentinformationtotheenemy。IfoundthatitwasbaseduponthefactoftheenemybeinginpossessionofknowledgeatthefirstbattleatGrayOaks，whichcouldonlyhavebeenobtainedfromourside，andwhichledtoaFederaldisaster；thatyou，however，retrievedbyyourgallantry。Ithenaskedthesecretaryifhewaspreparedtoshowthatyouhadsenttheinformationwiththatview，orthatyouhadbeenovertakenbyatardysenseofrepentance。Hepreferredtoconsidermysuggestionashumorous。ButtheinquiryledtomyfurtherdiscoverythattheonlytreasonablecorrespondenceactuallyinevidencewasfounduponthebodyofatrustedFederalofficer，andhadbeenforwardedtothedivisioncommander。Buttherewasnorecordofitinthecase。"

"Why，Iforwardeditmyself，"saidBranteagerly。

"Sothedivisioncommanderwrites，"saidthePresident，smiling，"andheforwardedittothedepartment。Butitwassuppressedinsomeway。Haveyouanyenemies，GeneralBrant？"

"NotthatIknowof。"

"Thenyouprobablyhave。Youareyoungandsuccessful。Thinkofthehundredotherofficerswhonaturallybelievethemselvesbetterthanyouare，andhaven’tatraitorouswife。Still，thedepartmentmayhavemadeanexampleofyouforthebenefitoftheonlymanwhocouldn’tprofitbyit。"

"Mightitnothavebeen，sir，thatthissuppressionwasforthegoodreportoftheservice——asthechiefoffenderwasdead？"

"Iamgladtohearyousayso，General，foritistheargumentI

haveusedsuccessfullyinbehalfofyourwife。"

"Thenyouknowitall，sir？"saidBrantafteragloomypause。

"All，Ithink。Come，General，youseemedjustnowtobeuncertainaboutyourenemies。Letmeassureyou，youneednotbesoinregardtoyourfriends。"

"IdaretohopeIhavefoundone，sir，"saidBrantwithalmostboyishtimidity。

"Oh，notme！"saidthePresident，withalaughofdeprecation。

"Someonemuchmorepotent。"

"MayIknowhisname，Mr。President？"

"No，foritisawoman。Youwerenearlyruinedbyone，General。I

supposeit’squiterightthatyoushouldbesavedbyone。And，ofcourse，irregularly。"

"Awoman！"echoedBrant。

"Yes；onewhowaswillingtoconfessherselfaworsespythanyourwife——adoubletraitor——tosaveyou！Uponmyword，General，I

don’tknowifthedepartmentwasfarwrong；amanwithsuchanalternatelyunsettlingandconvincingeffectuponawoman’shighestpoliticalconvictionsshouldbeundersomerestraint。Luckilythedepartmentknowsnothingofit。"

"Norwouldanyoneelsehaveknownfromme，"saidBranteagerly。

"Itrustthatshedidnotthink——thatyou，sir，didnotforaninstantbelievethatI"——

"Ohdear，no！Nobodywouldhavebelievedyou！Itwasherfreeconfidencetome。Thatwaswhatmadetheaffairsodifficulttohandle。Forevenherbringingyourdispatchtothedivisioncommanderlookedbadforyou；andyouknowheevendoubteditsauthenticity。"

"Doesshe——doesMissFaulknerknowthespywasmywife？"hesitatedBrant。

ThePresidenttwistedhimselfinhischair，soastoregardBrantmoregravelywithhisdeep-seteyes，andthenthoughtfullyrubbedhisleg。

"Don’tletustraveloutoftherecord，General，"hesaidafterapause。ButasthecolorsurgedintoBrant’scheekheraisedhiseyestotheceiling，andsaid，inhalf-humorousrecollection，——

"No，IthinkTHATfactwasfirstgatheredfromyourotherfriend——

Mr。Hooker。"

"Hooker！"saidBrant，indignantly；"didhecomehere？"

"Praydon’tdestroymyfaithinMr。Hooker，General，"saidthePresident，inhalf-weary，half-humorousdeprecation。"Don’ttellmethatanyofhisinventionsareTRUE！Leavemeatleastthatmagnificentliar——theoneperfectlyintelligiblewitnessyouhave。

Forfromthetimethathefirstappearedherewithagrievanceandaclaimforacommission，hehasbeenanunspeakablejoytomeandaconvincingtestimonytoyou。Otherwitnesseshavebeenpartisansandprejudiced；Mr。Hookerwasfranklytruetohimself。HowelseshouldIhaveknownofthecareyoutooktodisguiseyourself，savethehonorofyouruniform，andruntheriskofbeingshotasanunknownspyatyourwife’sside，exceptfromhismagnificentversionofHISpartinit？HowelseshouldIhaveknownthestoryofyourdiscoveryoftheCalifornianconspiracy，exceptfromhissupremeportrayalofit，withhimselfasthehero？No，youmustnotforgettothankMr。Hookerwhenyoumeethim。MissFaulknerisatpresentmoreaccessible；sheiscallingonsomemembersofmyfamilyinthenextroom。ShallIleaveyouwithher？"

BrantrosewithapalefaceandaquicklythrobbingheartasthePresident，glancingattheclock，untwistedhimselffromthechair，andshookhimselfoutfulllength，androsegraduallytohisfeet。

"Yourwishforactiveserviceisgranted，GeneralBrant，"hesaidslowly，"andyouwillatoncerejoinyourolddivisioncommander，whoisnowattheheadoftheTenthArmyCorps。But，"hesaid，afteradeliberatepause，"therearecertainrulesandregulationsofyourservicethatevenIcannot，withdecentrespecttoyourdepartment，override。Youwill，therefore，understandthatyoucannotrejointhearmyinyourformerposition。"

TheslightflushthatcametoBrant’scheekquicklypassed。Andtherewasonlytheunmistakablesparkleofrenewedyouthinhisfrankeyesashesaid——

"Letmegotothefrontagain，Mr。President，andIcarenotHOW。"

ThePresidentsmiled，and，layinghisheavyhandonBrant’sshoulder，pushedhimgentlytowardsthedooroftheinnerroom。

"Iwasonlyabouttosay，"headded，asheopenedthedoor，"thatitwouldbenecessaryforyoutorejoinyourpromotedcommanderasamajor-general。And，"hecontinued，liftinghisvoice，ashegentlypushedhisguestintotheroom，"hehasn’teventhankedmeforit，MissFaulkner！"

Thedoorclosedbehindhim，andhestoodforamomentdazed，andstillhearingthedistantvoiceofthePresident，intheroomhehadjustquitted，nowwelcominganewvisitor。Buttheroombeforehim，openingintoaconservatory，wasempty，saveforasinglefigurethatturned，halftimidly，halfmischievously，towardshim。

Thesamequick，sympatheticglancewasinboththeirfaces；thesametimid，happylookinboththeireyes。Hemovedquicklytoherside。

"Thenyouknewthat——that——womanwasmywife？"hesaid，hurriedly，ashegraspedherhand。

Shecastahalf-appealinglookathisface——ahalf-frightenedonearoundtheroomandattheopendoorbeyond。

"Letus，"shesaidfaintly，"gointotheconservatory。"……

ItisbutafewyearsagothattheveraciouschroniclerofthesepagesmovedwithawonderingcrowdofsightseersinthegardensoftheWhiteHouse。Thewarcloudhadlongsinceliftedandvanished；

thePotomacflowedpeacefullybyandontowhereoncelaythebroadplantationofagreatConfederateleader——nowanationalcemeterythathadgatheredthesoldierdeadofbothsectionssidebysideinequalrestandhonor——andthegreatgoddessoncemorelookeddownserenelyfromthedomeofthewhiteCapitol。Thechronicler’sattentionwasattractedbyanerect，handsomesoldierly-lookingman，withabeardandmoustacheslightlystreakedwithgray，pointingoutthevariousobjectsofinteresttoaboyoftwelveorfourteenathisside。

"Yes；although，asItoldyou，thishousebelongsonlytothePresidentoftheUnitedStatesandhisfamily，"saidthegentleman，smilingly，"inthatlittleconservatoryIproposedtoyourmother。"

"Oh！Clarence，howcanyou！"saidthelady，reprovingly，"youknowitwasLONGafterthat！"