Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-04-04

sinking heart. Taking prompt i'd
vantage of his position as officer of the
guard, he had caused the young pris-
oner to be brought outside the guard
house, and as heavy, dripping fog had
come on the wings of the night wind,
sailing in from the sea, he had led the
way to the sheltered side, which hap
pened to be the darkest one, of the rude
little building, and had there hidden
him tell his story. But Morton glanced
uneasily at sentry who followed close
and was lowering suspiciously about.
II cannot talk about-the affair-with
that fellow SPYING" he said, with an
eager plea in his tone and sign of the
hand that Gray well knew and quickly
recognized. keep around in front.
I'll be responsible for this prisoner"
were his orders, and, almost reluctant
~, the man left. He was veteran SOL
der, and his manner impressed the
lieutenant with a vague sense of
trouble. Twice the sentry glanced
back and hesitated, as though some
thing were on his mind that he must
tell, but finally he disappeared and kept
out of the way during the brief inter-
view that Immediately followed. The
prisoner eagerly, excitedly began his
explanation-swiftly banishing any lin
gering doubts Gray might have enter
tanned as to bis Innocence. But he had
come from a stove-heated guard room
into the cold sea wind of the Pacific
into the floating wisps of vapor that
sent chill to the marrow. He was far
too lightly clad for that climate, and
presently he began to SILVER.
'You are cold," said Gray, pityingly.
''Have you no overcoat?"
Its at my tent never expected to
spend this night here. I've been be-
fore the summary court, fined for alb
sence, and thought that would end it,
but instead of that I'm a prisoner and
the man who should be here is stalking
about camp, planning more robberies.
Yet I'd rather associate with the very
worst Of desertern or dead beats in
side there" and the dark eyes glanced
almost in horror-the slender figure
shook with unmingled repulsion and
chill-"than with that smooth-ton gued
sneak and liar. There's no crime too
mean for him to commit, Mr.. Gray,
and the men are beginning to know it,
though the colonel won't. For Gods
sake get me out of this before morn
ing" And again the violent tremor
shok the lad from head to foot.
"Here-get inside!" said Gray, i'm
pulsively. I'll see the adjutant a once
and return to you in few minutes. If
you have to remain until the matter can
be investigated by the general it might
be"
1T would be" vehemently inter-
rupted Morton, then breaking off short
as though at loss for descriptiveness Of
sufficient strength. He seemed to swell
with passion as he clinched his fists and
fairly stood upon his toes an instant, his
strong willie teeth grinding together.
ut would be-simply HE'LL" he burst in
again, hoarse and quivering: ''It would
ruin everything! Can't the gen
eral give the order to-night?" he
asked with intense eagerness, while
the young officer, taking him by the
arm, had led him again to the light OF
the guardhouse lamps at the front. The
sergeant and a group of soldiers
Strengthened up and faced them, listen
ing curiously.
1T may be even impossible to see the
general" answered Gray, doubtfully