Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-10-01
THE HOSPITAL NURSE.
BY FRANK II. STAJFFEE

BY FRANK II. STAJFFEE.
Corporal, you trained as detective, did
you not?"
Col. Cardonne was steadfastly regarding
me with his keen. gray eyes.
"And acquired quite reputation" / re-
piled. with the customary salute. at
wasn't a local one, either" added, with
pardonable pride.
'Then you are the man I want, the
Colonel rejoined, grave look filling his
face. "There is a spy i'll our midst, and
l expect you to arrest him."
Our armies were infesting Vicksburg.
The battle Of Champion Hill had been
fought, which placed US between the armies
OF Johnston and Pemberton without pos
sibihty of their eFecting q junction.
The Colonel told me why his suspicious
had been aroused, and gave me a few clues,
not about the culprit, but about his
methods. He was communicating with the
enemy by means of the Iazoo River or
Chickasaw Bayou.
Within three days l captured the culprit,
loyi"h- looking fellow connected with the
quartsrnastcr' department.
He offered no protest, he made no de-
malls; he was either a brave young fellow
or else was supremely Indifferent about
results.
/ took him before the Colonel, and when
his eyes rested upon that officer I saw his
face 'edden with surprise and confusion.
He was smoothly shaver, and that made
the rush of blood more pcrceptible.
related the circumstances of his arrest
and his conduct under it. and presented
certain papers which I had found upon his
person. The Colonel and two members of
his staff who were present at once decided
that he was guilty.
II see the name John Davis here. Is
that your name?" demanded the Colonel.
at is not, replied the spy. However,
have been known by that name"
"Wl4nt is your real name?" asked the
Colonel.
"Dclos Demarra, was the prompt, fear
less reply, without suspicion of evasion
about it,
II was an odd name, but pleasing in
sound, for he had pronounced it with rare
distinctness.
Happening to look at the Colonel just
then I noticed change in his usually
stolid face; it lasted scarcely second, and
yet plainly saw it, ] could not help but
connect it with the flush that passed over
the face Of the spy.
I was confident, too, that the effect pro-
dino aI Inv tho announcement If +l,o ,,,,,,o
had not escaped the observation of the
youn:: man. Something like smile stirred
his lips, and there was a suggestion Of re-
served strength i'll it.
After a consultation between the Colonel
and his staff, l was ordered to take the
prisoner to the guard house.
That night, while in my tent, became
was instantly on the alert, but instead of
splsnsing up, I remained quiet, and a
minute later heard him step out into the
piooulight. 1 walked noiselessly to the
door and saw Col. Cardonne pass out of
Esight. There was no mistaking his COM
manding figure and erect bearing.
"What did he want in nv tent?" l
thought
Then it came to me like a fash Step
ping 70 the place where I kept the keys to
the guard house, / foInd that they We're
goue. My amazement gave place to in
difference, though my curiosity did not
abate.
81 am not responsible for what the
Colonel may do" muttered to myself.
crent into my bunk and soon fell asleep.
In the morning found the keys in then
place [ had not heard the Colonel re
turn them, and almost felt like looking
upon the affair as dream.
4 little later and it was known all Owe,
the c,:np that the spy had effected his
escape or course the Colonel investi-
gated the matter with show of thorough
ness, but without result, and by and by the
escape was forgotten.
One day, just as our brigade was about
to 60 into action, said:
FColonel. word with you, please"
He stopped and paid me respectful at
tention. He was soldier in every sense
of the word, but without arrogance.
".You did not call me to the Witness
stand i'll that investigation" I said.
"What investigations" he asked.
"In connection with the escape of the
spy" ] reminded
'Oh!" calculated the Colonel. II did
not know you had anything to tell"
"Ah, Colonel, had great deal to tell, "
said. II wasn't going to push myself
forward. held back for your sake. Col.