The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-04-15
REVENGED.


low, like the remembered echoes Of
dream. Yet Wallace Keene would have
given well nigh all he was worth to ex-
change its luxuriant verdure, one mo-
ment only, for the pine clad heights and
ealt winds Of Maine, with russet winged
robins chirping their familiar madligals
in the apple orchards below.
1.-Two years ago I left home," muir
INJURED Wallace Keene as he gazed
thoughtfully out where the purple sky
seemed to touch the waving woods. 1.-TWO
years since young Harney told me he
never would give Marion to "a common
mechanic,' yet the wound rankles sharply
still"
"Captain"-
''Is that you, Spicer? What now?'
Captain Keene turned his face toward
the opening of the tent, where Private
Spicer's head was just visible.
"Why, sir, our fellows have just
brought in that lot O. men that was hurt
in that scrimmage across the river this
morning, and some on em is wounded
bad"
II will be there directly, Spicern
There was little crowd Of men gath
cred on the river shore in the warm
glow of the spring, but they silently
parted right and left for Captain
Keene's tall figure to pass through their
midst.
Six or seven dusty, bleeding men were
sitting and lying around in various pos
lures, their ghastly brows made still
paler by the faint, uncertain glimmer of
the young moon. Keene glanced quick
ly around, taking in the whole scene in
that one brief survey.
he stopped short as his eye fell on
new face, half shadowed by the green
sweep Of dropping alders-a pale, blood
streaked face with gaping cut on the
forehead.
"Ths is not one of our menr' he ez-
claimed sharply. Glow came he hereY'
"No, sir" explained Spieer, stepping
forward. 81 think he belonged to the
Eighth. Pm sure don't know how he
ever got mixed up with our fellows, but
there he was, and thought we'd better
not wait for their ambulance, but bring
him straight here"
Fright" briefly pronounced Keene,
STOPPING over the insensible figure. "Let
them carry him to my tent, Spicer."
II beg your pardon, captain-to your
tentT
Didn't you hear what saidY" sharply
intsrrogated the superior officer. Bruce,
make the others comfortable in Lieuten-
ant OrdwAy's quarters. There will be
plenty Of room for them there"
"Wel, I'm beatp calculated Spicer
Ave or ten minutes afte ward as he
came out Of the captains tent scratching
his shock Of coarse red curls.
Meanwhile the dim light of a lamp
swinging from the center Of the little
tent shone ful ON the singular group
within its cl-cling folds-the wounded
private lying like = corpse, still and pale,
on the narrow iron bedstead, the young
officer leanlng over him and supporting
his head-and the brisk, gray eyed little
surgeon keenly surveying both as he un-
folded his case of phials and powders.
"He is not dead, doctorG"
mo; but he would have been In an
other half hour Your prompt reme-
dies have saved his life, Captain Keene."
''Thank God! oh, thank Godr
The surgeon looked at Keene in amaze
ment
''HC doesn't belong to your regiment.
Why are you so interested in the caseT'
Because, doctor" said Kesne, with a
strange, bright smile, "when saw him
lying under the alders. dead, as thought,
Irejoiced IN my secret heart. At first
only at first. The next moment re-
membered that was a man and a Chris
tian- For years have carried the spirit
of Cain In my breast toward that man;
now it is washed out in his blood"
1t was high noon Of the next day before
the wounded man started from fevered
doze into the faint dawn Of consciousness.
where am Iy' he faltered, looking
wildly around him, with an Intellectual
effort 70 raise his dizzy head from the
pillow.
"Now, be easy" said Private spicer.
whowas cleaning his gun by the bedside.
''You're all right, my boy. Where are
your Why in the captains tent, to be
sure, and that's pretty good quarters for
the rank and file, should think"
The captains tent? How came Ihere?'
'That's just what l can't tell YOU
you'n have to ask himself, guess. You
amt any relation 10 Captain Keene, be
your
''keene-Keener' repeated the man.
Because" pursued Spicer, If you'd
been his own brother born, he couldn't
have taken better care Of you. His cous-
In, maybeT
''Noi God forgive me, mol" faltered
the wounded man with a low, bitter
groan.
Here he is now" said Spicer, the IA
miliar accents OF his voice falling to
more respectfully modulated tone as he
rOse and ssluted his officer. Hes all
right, captain--as clear headed as bellln
VERY well, spicer; You can 60"
The private obsyed with alacrity.
When they were alone together IN the
tent, Wallace Keene came TO the low bed
side.
$50 you're all right, Mr. Harneyg" he
asked kindly.
Captain keene, murmured Harney,
shrinking from the soothing tone as if it
had been a daggers point, 81 have no
right to expect this treatment at your
hands"
"Oh, never mind, said the young man
lightly. "What can do to make you
more comfortable"
HaTnsy was silent, but his eyes were
full Of the tears he fain would drive back
tears of remorseful shalne-and he
turned his flushed face away lest the
man he had once so grossly insulted
should see them fall.
The next day he again alluded 70 ths
home subject.
Captain Keene, you asked mt yester
day what You could do for mef'
'Yes."
u want you 10 obtain leave for Alal
to come and nurse me when 1 am trans
ferred 70 hospital"
Captain Keene turned toward the sicl
man q face white and hard as marble
and said in a strangely altered voice;
do you mean your sister,
my sister-yes.
"Of course, If You wish it, can Oh
tain permission, Harney. But
HWellY'
Keene's cheek oolored. and he bit his hp
Il should not suppose she would b
willing b leave her husband for the yer
uncertain comforts Of hospital LIE"
Harvey smiled, looking into his con
panion'a face with keen, searching eyes.
@May q not married, Capialn Keenl
shs has no such appendage as q hui
bandF
ifNol marriedf
= heF what yog tlQ1ght Sc "a