The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-19

and forth, calling to each acquaint-
ance This is gloriousl" but at last
he came running to his friend.
"See.' he cried. There was a red
blotch over his heart. He staggered
and fell. Il die for my country" There
was half admiration, half contempt, in
the captains heart for the dramatic
southern nature. He seized the slen-
DER body and bore 1t aong. Still direct
ing cleverly, even brilliantly. he fin
ished the running fight with every
man of his company safe within the
lines of his brigade.
But the Cuban was dead. That night
the captain stood by his grave. And
from that time he carried about with
him and ever increasing weight. There
was load on his breast, and in his
mind ran ever a formula: Five per-
cent on ten thousand dollars Is five
Hundred dollars year. Five hundred
dollars will pay rent at home and
servants wages. Five percent on ten
thousand dollars Is five hundred dol
lars year. Five hundred dollars will
pay rent" oh, heavens! To get rid
of the idea-anything! He attended his
duty rigidly, spared himself no work.
But always the idea forced its return.
He even woke himself in the night
with the words: Five percent on ten
thousand dollars is five hundred dol
lars a year."
"Tom," said his colonel, whats up?
You're not right in your mind"
oh" said the captain, 'it's moth
ing. It's just-business. Home af-
fairs"
The colonel looked sober. "Home
affairs, old lad, have no place for us
Just now. Haven't we enough to do
as 1t is? What's up? Are the girls sick?
Isn't Mary WELL"
They're all right" said the captain.
"Their letters are very cheerful But
can't help thinking, you know, what
IL /"
YES" said his ciassmate, looking
him in the eye. 81 know-the old sun
stroke, this cursed climate, and all the
rest. Look here, Tom Strong, may
say n straight word to your"
"Of course"
well, IL you mean to stand the cli-
mate, quit worrying. Get Mary and
the girls off your mind, look cheerful,
and keep yourself in good spirits. The
climate won't breaK you down as fast
as you are breaking yourself. Since
that little skirmish the other day,
"A
about moping. See here, that Cuban
that was killed was fond of you. lC
isn't the loss of him that weighs on
you?"
"He? Oh no! Ha, ha! Oh, mol"
"Well, go easy now, old fellow. Give
yourself a rest"
The colonel went away. Within
three minutes the captain. left alone,
was saying to himself: Five percent
on ten thousand dollars" He went
out to the trenches, and for the vici-
Gus pleasure in 1t tried his hand at
sharpshooting.
Those weary days before Santiago
were terrible to him. The news of the
naval victory scarcely made him smile.
Five percent on ten thousand dollars
-" And in what should he invest the
money? For Heavens sake. Tom"
cried his colonel, "the whole Spanish
fleet wiped out, and yet you say never
a word!"
'lf only" thought the captain
there could be another skirmish, and
/ could get killed The money would
be found on me; no one would know
whence II came. 1t would go to Mary
and the girls"
But he was in no more skirmishes
The city surrendered. The captain was
among the troops that took possession
In day he saw enough Of Santiago's
poor to realize what might be done
witk the money in his pocket. Real.
ly," said his colonel to himself, TON
is growing terribly haggard. Come, ole
man. he said, ''we've off duty Let's
stroll about the place."
They stood before the city hall, and
heard the words of one of the generals
speaking with the Cuban Mayor. "W,
will do what we can. But we neet
money, much money, Immediately"
Alas" said the Mayer, I'VE have
little. There will be much misery"
The captain stepped forward, sa
luted with ashy face, and found him
self extending packet to the general
Here" he was saying hoarsely
"here.' The general took 1t. II was toS
late for the captain to take IL back.
'Ten thousand dollars" said tn,
general in surprise. What is thi
for?"
'It is for the city. From Ramon
Luis Sanchez"
Ramon Luis Sanchez!" exclaimet
the Mayor. "One of our exiles!"
'He is dead" said the captain.
His name shall be placed ON
tablet of bronze" cried the Mayo
"And yours. too. my friend"
Never mind me-" said the captain
He asltfted and turned away Tho ro,