Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-12-01
The arrangement that had been made


necessarily and closely, wanted for moth
ing. But his stay on earth was limited,
and both Nurse Gaughan and Private
Dennis knew il. To Nurse Gaughan he
became frierdly and confidential rs the
week wore on, and his greatest pleasure
was to draw picture Of himself as the
drum major.
lyon know what the drum major is,
nurse?" he asked one day.
Yes" replied Nurse Gaughan read
lily, forgetting for the moment Boy Sla-
den's ambition.
''Some day, nurse, T." continued Boy
Sladen, ''for I'm getting stronger now,
and | shal soon be able to get out Of
bed. shall march at the head Of ours
as drum major Then when I'm man
you'll see me 60 past. and you II say to
your husband and children, for it'll be
some time yet, See. that's Boy Sladen
of the band, that nursed through q
feverl And shall know what you say,
although shan't be able TO look. I'm
certain that if you're about l shall
know.
But, said Nurse Gaughan. 'hadn' t
you better go to sleep? Do try and rest
a little.
IL don't want TO go TO sleep" said
Boy Sladen. why, the men'll be pa
rading soon Even il went to sleep |
should wake up as soon as heard the
band play and the tramp If the feet.
I'll go TO sleep when they've left bar.
racks That II be two hours yet. Won't
you try and go TO sleep bit, nurse?
You look So tired and worn out Do
try, or I'll Il I'm nuisance.
Nurses mustn't sleep on duty. said
Nurse Gaughan, "but I'll SIT in the
chair, if thet will please you. "
well, do that, then, said Boy Sla-
den.
Nurse Gaughan, weary with watch
ing, felt druwsiness steal over her that
she could not conquer. She glanced
more than once at her charge, but he
made no sign Of wanting her help, and
when she last looked his eyes were
closed. aud he seemed 20 be- asleep. No
sound broke the silence, and Nurse
Gaughan also closed her eyes and slum-
bercd
Boy Sladen's sleep was short and
troubled Ills delifium was returning,
and when he woke he started up in bed
and looked wildly about. Nurse Gaugh-
an slept on. aud Boy Sladen. hearing
the shufiliig of feet outside, cast the
bedclo,hos silently from him and crept
noiselcs.ly 10 the window. He saw the
men falling IN. and "A mad idea seized
him. He glanced at the nurse. who
slumbered still; then crcpt softly past
her. aud rs soon as he was outside ran
swiftly toward the battalion. He was
in rear II the men, and no one saw him
coming.
The drum major, pompous in demean-
or and rlgid IN the wealth Of gold and
scarlet that generous people gave him,
had taken up his post at the head Of the
band The staff, with the great silver
ornament at the head Of it, was grace
fully balanced against his tunic, and
the drum major was pulling on his
white gloves just shade more, for the
women were watching from the married
quarters. Suddenly the staff was
wrenched away. and looking in stupid
amazcment for the cause he saw Boy
Sladen standing beside him, clad only
in his nightdress, bareheaded and bare
footed.
A wild light was shining in Boy Sla-
den's eyes He planted the staff firmly
on the ground at arms, length, then
twirled II round his head rs he had seen
ihe drum major twirl it, and before any
one had time to speak he cried. Strike
up the March Of Gordon's Own!" He
stepped oct gravely, a. the drum major
did. and turned the staff rhythmically
and in grac, 'ul circles IN the air.
lie was humming the tune as he
marchC~ when Nurse Gaughan, startled
and terrified, ran across the parade to-
ward him. She seized the staff. and
needless alike Of It's magnificence and
the stony horror OF the drum major,
flung it to the ground, and putting her
arms around Boy Sladen she lifted his
little, wasted form and bore it into the
hospital
The colonel's quick eye had caught
Boy Sladens words. 'It's the last favor
he'll ever need" he muttered, and he
repeated the command.
The drums were beaten bravely, the
cymbals clashed melodiously, and the
reed and brass made martial music as
the battalion crunched the gravel Of the
parade TO the" March Of Gordon S Own. "
An hour later Boy Sladen Of the band
was dead But he was satisfied. He had
realized his ambition. Strand Maga-
zine.