hment entered and halted at the door.
She searched his face and what she saw there caused Gene to utter a
little cry of joy.

"'Here,' said the officer, 'is what you have been waiting for. Here is
the father whose life you have saved. What I have done for you was
only my duty; what you have done for France is immeasurable. I salute
you, daughter of France!'

"With that the captain thrust Gene's father into the room, saluted and
strode out to join his company, who were guarding the captured
Bavarians."

CHAPTER X

A LITTLE SOLDIER OF MERCY

"Jean is the name of the hero of whom I shall tell you today. He was
only twelve, and he joined the army, unofficially, something after the
fashion that little Remi did. Remi, of course, ran away to follow the
army, which, perhaps, was not wrong in view of the fact that he had no
relatives at home. With Jean it was different, for he had a mother,"
said Captain Favor, resuming his story telling.

"A detachment of French soldiers had been stationed in this boy's home
town, and the lad, by many little acts, had endeared himself to them
very much.

"One day the detachment received orders to leave. Jean begged that
they might take him along, but the soldiers advised him to remain at
home because he was too young to go to war. 'Go ask your mother,' said
a young lieutenant, 'and if she says "yes" I shall not see you if you
should follow us.'

"Jean, most grateful for the suggestion, ran home and burst, in upon
his mother excitedly.

"'The lieutenant says I may go if you say "yes." Say "yes," mother. I
want to be a soldier.'

"'I do not understand what you mean, my son,' answered the child's
mother.

"'I mean I wish to go to war; I wish to help my beloved France.
Believe me, mother, though I am but a lad I can do much, oh, so much.
And Jean shall be so very careful that he may come back to his home,
and who knows but that he may some day come back a big, big general or
something like that.'

"'Please my child, do not think of such a thing,' begged the mother.
'You know you might be killed.'

"'Should not a Frenchman be happy to die for his country, my mother?'

"The argument was a good one, and Jean saw at once that his mother was
weakening in her opposition.

"'The monsieur lieutenant says I may go if you will let me. Please, my
mother.'

"'Yes, go, my son, if you will, and God be with you,' agreed the
mother finally, clasping the little fellow in her arms and