Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-11-28

For a moment the two men sat gazing
straight into each others eyes. Then
again, trembling slightly, Ellis strove to
rise.
.sDr. Holden, IL ought not to take
advantage of this. Indeed / cannot"
"That will do, sir" was the quietly
smiling reply. "Orders are orders, SER
geant, and being a patient you are
doubly under mine. What's more, you
can ask no question until that chevron
is replaced by the shoulder strap. Ellis,
under what name shall the officers of the
Twelfth ask that you be made one Of
their NUMBER
Making no reply, the sergeant bowed
his head and covered his face with his
hands.
Late that evening old Kenyon, drop
ping in to see the doctor, found the tall
cavalryman seated at desk in Holden's
library. and, as he promptly arose and
stood erect in acknowledgment of the
presence of the post commander, the
major strobe straight up to him and
held out his hand:
Sergeant, am as proud and pleased
as your own father could be. When a
whole regiment recommends a man for
D commission, as this days mail tells us,
it's worth more than all the senatorial
backing in Columbia. It may not fetch
it, but I'd rather have it. Now. have
you any friends to aid your
None in the world, SIR"
mo relatives? No kin? Not even a
congressman
mot even congressman. A sister,
perhaps; but that is all"
well, well, welll Never mind,
though, my lad; We'll see you through.
What you must do is get strong and
well. You're but the ghost of yourself,
and the doctor and | have moved you
over here as a matter we owe the regi-
ment. thought you were told to go to
bed an hour ago. Which is your room2'
'sThe doctor has given me the run of
the top foor, sir, but mine is the front
room on this side," answered Ellis
gravely.
"Well, It's time for you to turn III, 80
1 order 1t. Let me see This Is the
twenty fifth of January. A month from
now. or two at most, l hope to see you
with strap on your shoulder, and long
before that with the flush of health in
your cheek. Now good night to you and
pleasant Dreams" And the major strobe
away.
Only an hour after sunset the silver
disk of the moon had risen cloudless and
unveiled, and now, as the bugle was
calling the belated ones back to the post
for night inspection of quarters, the bur-
nished shield was high aloft, flooding
the broad valley with its radiant sheen,
throwing black shadows upon the broad
roadway. the white picket fence. the
glistening verandas at the post. Hol-
den, returning from late visit to some
of his patients at the hospital, stopped
and looked quickly and intently up at
the little gallery overhanging the east
ward wall.
In the front room, that which he had
assigned to Ellis. light burned dimly.
The Venetian window of the rear room
leading to the gallery was dark, yet
open, and on the little ledge, leaning
against the easement, the moonlight
cleaning on his face and form, tall
soldier was gazing intently eastward.
Quietly Holden strobe along, entered
the gate, went noiselessly into the hall
and up the stairs. The door from Nita's
room to the landing stood wide open.
At this juncture a person standing out
side would have seen the silent occupant
of Robbers Roost'' turn with sudden
start and peer into the room, for Holden,
his eyes fixed upon the cleaning, glis-
tening space between the two rear win
dows and just over the toilet table, had
purposely dropped his heavy stick with
resounding chatter upon the landing
floor II thought So" he muttered in
serene satisfaction. Then picking uI
his stick he calmly strolled across the
threshold and into the dark room.
Beautiful view of moonlight night
Ellis. That was Miss Guthrie's favorite
perch when she was here"
ITO RE CONTTvrrrn