The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-08-01

''PARALYzEs YOU, Ell, MY BoY?"
The patient had on the previous day
walked to his troops quarters, where
he was given an ovation by his COM
rades
SIT is a lovely warm morning,
Brown" the surgeon said, land if you
will walk slowly and not over-exert
yourself you can go and surprise the
colonel and your little nurse with
call. am sure they viii warmly wei.
come you"
He needed no second bidding, and
leaning on cane for support, walked
slowly to the coloners quarters. On
the way he met several officers, and
warm were the congratulations poured
upon him over his recovery. Again he
crossed the perch as he had done few
weeks before, but not now with fear
and trembling.
Entering the hall he raped lightly
at the colonel's door. The same sharp,
harsh "Come in," greeted his ears, but
it did not now fill him with alarm.
Turning the knob, he entered.
Private Brown, by all the gods Of
war; cried the bluff old soldier, aris-
ing and grasping his hand, 'Out
again, Ell? Once more on your pins?
That's right Take chair. am
very glad to see you"
For half an hour they conversed re-
garding his wound, his return to duty
and various other topics, but the young
soldiers thoughts were in another
apartment With his loved one, and he
longed to greet her for the first time in
her own home. Unable to suppress
this burning desire he finally said:
''Col. Sanford, before | return to the
hospital will you not permit me to pay
my respects to my faithful nurse, Miss
Sanford?"
The old officers face assumed cold,
stern look and his genial air seemed to
vanish as before an icy wind as he re-
piled:
private Brown, we may as well
come to an understanding right now.
You nobly risked your life to restore
my beloved child to my arms, and /
am deeply grateful to you for doing so.
1t was but her simple duty to nurse
you through the long days of suffering
which you were called upon to endure
from severe and dangerous wound re-
ceived in her defense. She performed
that duty, and with my full approval
and consent Her duties as your nurse
| Mt nd I Lnt
may give you pain after all you suf-
fered for her if, in doing what con.
slider to be fathers duty, use harsh
language toward you. You may think
1t cruel and heartless, sir, when tell
you that ] cannot permit her in her
own home to receive call from pri
vate soldier, no matter how worthy
that soldier may be-"
Browns face paled, as the cruel
words cut into his heart as knife. A
great fear came upon him, and he al
most groaned aloud in his agony OF
spirit. He tried to speak. but with a
gesture the officer stopped him.
'Nor, sir, hear my decree, from the
enforcement of which | will never
, swerve jot. After TIN visit Private
Richard Brown will never again be per-
mitted to enter this house. and shall
forbid my daughter to ever again men
ton his name in my presence. This may
seem damnably cruel to you, sir, after
/, what you have done FOR us, but there
are rules of propriety in army life that
cannot be disregarded. My daughter
cannot maintain friendly relations with
a private in the ranks"
He paused and regarded the young
man closely. Brown sat as dumb as
marble statue and almost as pale, fol
his heart was completely crushed a
the cruel decree.
i "But," the colonel resumed, with +,
strange twinkle in his eyes, Lieut.
Edward Thornton viii always be /;
welcome guest at my home. There i
your commission, sir, you trembling
rascal, fresh from the hands of the sec
J, rotary of war Lieutenant Thornton, lie
me be the first to congratulate you upoi
: your promotion, and to assure you thati
you prove as faithful in the discharg,
of your duties as an officer as Privat'
Brown always proved as soldier il
the ranks, the stars of general ma.
some day rest upon your shoulders"
} he spoke he h.nded the youni
} man his commission, and warml,
, grasped his hand, while grim snil
) played over his face.
Thornton took the paper mechanic
| ally. In his wild establishment he coul,
; not utter a word. He stood there trem
, bling and turning white and red b,
turns until the old officer broke into
r loud laugh over his embarrassment.
, "Paralyzes you, my boy? just pet
5 rites you with amazement BY God
, frey. have had that document hi,
, away for two weeks just to have thi
| fun with you Never mind. lieutenan
. tslapping him Familiarity ON the shoul