Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-11-08
CHAPTER u.

He stopped, astonished at the way
the Major took his suggestion. How
ard began to stutter. paced the inside
of the tent for some moments, mutter-
ing to himself, and then swung round
upon his heel, facing the lieutenant.
Good God, no, Wallacel Whatever
put that Internal idea into your head?'
be exploded. "See here, now You're
not well enough to talk this thing over
tonight. Some day I'll tell you why
your proposal is impossible"
That's all very well, Major I don't
know what you mean. but IL you don't
like my proposition you know what
you can do. I'm quite well enough to
listen to what's worrying you. Dig 1t
out !"
III haven't time, Wallace. There's
these strasglers to be sorted out. Not
that much can be done tonight, l sup
pose. Sometime I'll tell you"
He swung round on his heel and
made for the entrance. stopped and re-
turned
II suppose Id better tell you now"
he exclaimed. II had thought it might
be us well not TO tell you eyer. You
don't happen to know who this child's
father was-that man In the tent7"
what do you meaii. Major? Some
settler caught by bullet, l suppose"
Hampton said Major Howard,
giimly.
Lieutenant Wallace sat bolt upright
on the bed and stared ut the other in
nmazement.
"rhe man who sold our mobilization
plans to Spain?" he whispered. con-
scious of sudden terror for the child.
The major nodded. 'Tt's years
since we worked together in the war
Office" he answered. "and, frankly, i
didn't know the face. You wouldn't
have. would you, after the work that
the bullet had done7 One Of those
d----d dum-dums. But-you didn't
see this, did your
He took purse from his pocket.
opened 1t and shook out three gold
pieces into his hand. THAT was on d
belt about the body" he said. "And
there were some papers-nOt the ones
we wanted, but enough to identify
him. II was Hampton all right"
He went to the tent door and looked
out. Here, Johnsonl" he called.
The negro servant appeared almost
instantaneously within the opening
and stood to attention.
"Could you use three gold pieces,
JohnsonT inquired Major Howard.
''Well, sub, / don't know as I'd OBJ
ject." replied the negro. grinning.
IT'S part of n sum that was paid
TO an American soldier for betrayine
his country"
"0h. Lord. no, Majorr answered
Johnson.
''Then do what you think best with
those"
The negro looked at the gold coin:
In his hand, stepped outside the ten
and swung his arm. The pieces fel
In the jungle grass far beyond the en-
campment. Major Howard shied tn,
purse after them and went back Il
where Wallace stil sat upright on thu
bed. He noticed, with a certain grim
ness of spirit, that one of the lieuten
ants hands rested on the chlld's fail
hair.
"well, wallacer' he asked.
TITS damnable."
"We can't exactly make his chilli
the regimental pet, can weT'
Wallace was silent, and the Majo
sat down on the edge of the bed be
ride him.
II had orders to watch for him." h
said. "He was to have been hange'
as soon as we captured Santiago
That's why he was making for tn
Jungle. He was detected and allowe
60 escape with his life, but he ha,
been working as a Spanish agent sine
he was drummed out Of America. HI
career ended at the luckiest mOmen
for him. He seems to have had tn
one redeeming quality of affection 70
the child. though II he had had a pal
dele of unselfishness In him he woul
have left her behind him. / suppos
she was the Onlv thing he had In hi
w-efe