Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-12-18
HEBOY OF THE BAND

boy Slhden OF the band lay Ill OF fe-
ver and the hospital orderly, who had
wide experience In these things. had
told the colonel that no was mortal
bad. " TITS now Tuesday. sir. " said the
orderly. "lt'li be much II he sees the
week through.
He doesn't want for anything. does
hep asked the colonel.
mot anything In the way OF luxuries
or attention, sir, said the orderly,
whose limbs were sore with working for
the boy. Hes mortal bad or he wouldn' .
be after putin me aside for the sake Of
woman.
The colonel looked ourioualy at the
orderly. "And why for the sake of a
womanp" he demanded.
That's the strange part Of 1t. sir, 4"
returned the orderly. Ever since he
woke this mornin he's been askin for u
woman--talkin of how he never known
the love of one, an how he thinks he d
die easier II he could have young 'un
an pretty 'un by his side to see him
Off. II Boy Sladen II talk like that, sir,
he's IN bad way.
"Did he really say thatp" asked the
colonel.
The words I've told you are the
words he used, sir, said the orderly.
"Then he shall have one, said the
colonel, and he strobe to the orderly
room, telephoned TO the Nurses institu-
ton and in the tones that no adopted
when ordering goods from tho town no
desired the matron to send to the bar
racks ut once u young and pretty nurse
for Boy Sladen of the band. Within an
hour Il gentle nurse, wearing neat
black cloak and dainty bonnet, passed
the sentry on the main guard on her way
to the hospital, The sentry stared
moment at the appartion, then stood
bolt upright. and feeling that no unusu-
al spectacle called for unusual honor he
shouldered arms,
Nurse uaughnn stepped softly up TO
the bed In which Boy sladen lay and
put her cool hand on his forehead. The
heavy eyelids were raised, and Boy SlA-
den looked with dull establishment at her
face.
"Who nre your" he asked in feeble
voice.
"I'm Nurse Gaughan, she answered.
"But go to sleep again. You mustn't
talk. The more you keep quiet the
sooner you II got we'll.
Boy Sladen laughed curious little
laugh.
SECT wellp" no echoed. mot this
Journey. The DOCTORS given mo up--I
heard him tell Dennis, the orderly, that
IL was all up with tho lad. He thought
I was asleep, but l wasn't. Has the colo
mel sent for your"
Nurse Gaughan nodded.
"Isn't no goodp' asked the boy. cts
all because said wanted woman to
be near me. There aren't many colonies
who would do the same. are there2"
Nurse Gaughan shook her head. Her
knowledge Of colonies was limited, and
she would have acquiesced " the boy
had said they were all ilends
"There, now. you must go to sleep,
or I'm sure the colonel will DO angry"
she said ~ she made believe to smooth
pillow
'Tben III try" said Boy Sladen, and
he closed his eyes.
Some flowers were on the mantel-
piece and on II little table near the bod,
while on the wall. facing Boy Sladen,
was colored picture Of o gorgeous
drummer boy, upon whom q host Of
phantomlike eyes from supposed crowd
were gazing in stony admiration. This
was tho work Of Private Dennis, and he
thought Of all ~ ne leaned against the
married quarters and pazed dreamily Mt
tho hospital.
The heart Of the hospital orderly was
heavy within him az no gazed. He had
been dethroncd, his charge had been
taken from him, and tbs boy was to die
while In the hands Of strangers. DenDia'
flowers were in the hospital II WAS
Dennis affection which had prompted
Dennis scanty funds that had bought
the print.
Dennis sighed, for friendship as
strong AS 1t was strange had grown up
between Linn and tho boy. The darling
wish Of the lad was to become drum
major and WELD tho splendid staff Of
Office, and the great ambition Of the
private was to qualify for noncommis-
stoned rank. Aud 30 they helped each
other, Dennis telling all he knew Of mil
itary duty and Boy Sladen instructing
Dennis in subjects with which be had
to be familiar IL he wished to get pro-
motion.
Tho orderly stepped softly back into
the hospital--so softly that Nurse
GaughaD, who was looking at the little
patient, did not hear him, and she start
ed when she turned and saw him.
eve come back. began Dennis, ito
zee If we couldn't make some arrange
ment about the boy. !"
Nurse Gsughan was silent still and
stared helplessly.
eve watched an cared for him up TO
this point. continued Dennis in low
voice. IAN don't quite see that it's
right for q stranger to come In an take
all the work ont Of man . hands, espe-
cially such man as me. for I'm sort
Of father, mother an brother TO him.
was by his fathers body when the Pay
thans left him, an II was shot from
my rife that brought down the man
who kuifed him. That the reaaon why