Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1893-05-13


tent shone full os the singular group
within its circling foids-she wounded
private lying like corpse, still aud pale,
on the narrow iron bedstead, the young
officer leaning 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, eoctorl"
"No but he would have been in an
other half hour. Your prompt remedle.
have saved his life, Captain Keeue."
"Tnank Godi oh, thank God."
The surgeon looked at Keene in
amazement.
"He doesn't belong to your regiment.
Why are YOU so interested in the case?"
"Because, DOCTOR" said keene, with
strange, bright smile. "when | saw
him living under the alders. dead, as
thought, l rejoiced in my secret heart.
At tirst-only at first. The next moment
remembered that l was n man and a
Christian. For years l 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 be-
| fore the wounded man started from
fevered doze into the faint dawn of con-
| iousness.
"Wilere am II" he faltered. lookin6
wildly around him, with an Intellectual
effort to raise his dizzy head from the
pillow,
"Now, be easy" said Private Spicer,
who was cleaning his gun by the bed
side. "You're all right, my boy. Where
are you9" Why in the captains tent,
to be sure, and that's pretty good quar-
tiers for the rank and file, should
think"
'.The captains tent2 How came I
herel"
"That's Just what can't tell you-
You'll have to ask himself, | guess. You
amt any relation to Captain Keene, be
you7':
"Keene e-Keene!" repeated the man.
"Because," pursued Spicer, 'If you'd
been his own brother born, he couldn't
have taken better care of you. His
cousin, maybe!"
"Nol God forgive me, mol" faltered
the wounded man with low, bitter
| groan.
"Herc he is now" said Spicer, the
familiar accents of his voice falling to q
more respectfully modulated tone as he
rose and saluted his officer. "Ie's al
right, captaia-as clear headed as q
bell"
Every well, spicF; you can go"
The private obcyed with alacrity.
When they we've alone together in the
tent, Wallace Keeue came to the low
bedside.
$50 you're all right. Mr.. Harneya' he
asked kindly.
"Captain Keene," murmured Harvey,
shrinking from the soothing tone as if
it had been a daggcr's point, II have
no right to expect this treatment at
yonr hands"
"Oh, never mind" said the young
man lightly. "What can do to make
you more comfortablcl"
Harvey was silent, but bis eyes were
full OF the tears he fain would drive
| hack-tears Of remorseful shame and
he turned his flushed face away lest the
mao he had once 50 grossly insultei
should see them fall.
The next day he again alluded to tie
home subject.
Captain Keeae, you asked me yes.
teriay what you could do foS mel"
"Ycs."
TO come aad nurse me when | an trans
ferred 70 the hospital.
Captain keeae suraed toward the sick
man face white and hard as marble
aud said in strangely altered voice:
ado you mean :oar sis.er.'
.Ms sister-yes."
20: course, il you wish it, | can ob.
tain permission, Harvey. But
..Welli"
keeae's cheek colorei, aad DC bit bis
lip
u should 10. suppose she would b.
willing To leave her Husband for the
very uncertain comforts of hospital Lie >
Earaey smiled, looAing ia.o bis con-
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