The National tribune., 1896-12-03

thatll happen when I'm head Of the reg'-
ment-for that's what I like to call the
Drum major"
Nurses mustn't sleep on duty" said
Nurse Gaughan, "but I'll sit In the chair, II
that will please you"
"Well, do that, then," said Boy Sladen.
"I shall be more satisfied than seeing you
standing about here and firing yourself for
nothing Pm all right, am really" he
added, earnestly, SO don't let that trouble
you."
The hospital was very quiet after that.
Nurse Gaughan sat in the chair, and Boy
Sladen lay perfectly still, staring at the
ceiling, his heated brain weaving strange
fancies.
Nurse Gaughan, weary with watching, felt
drOwsiness 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 bis eyes
were closed and he seemed to he asleep. No
sound broke the silence, and Nurse Gaughan
also closed her eyes and slumbered.
Boy Sladen's sleep was short and troubled.
His delirium was returning, and when he
woke he started up in bed and looked wildly
about. Nurse Gaughan slept on, and Boy
Saden, hearing the shuffling of feet outside,
cast the bedclothes silently from him and
crept noiselessly to the window. He saw the
men falling in, and mad idea seized him.
He glanced at the nurse, who slumbered
still, then crept softly past her, and as soon
as he was outside ran swiftly towards the
battalion. He was in rear of the men, and
no one saw him coming
The Drum-major, pOmpous in demeanor,
and rigid 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 gracefully 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 amaZement for the
cause he saw Boy SIaden standing beside
him, clad only in his night-dress, bare
headed and barefooted
A wild light was shining in Boy Sladen's
eyes, He planted the staff firmly on the
ground at arms length, then twirled 1T
round his head, as he had often seen the
Drum-major twirl it, and before anyone had
time to speak he cried, Strike up the
March of Gordon's Own" He stepped out
gravely, as the Drum major did. and turned
the staff hythmIcaIly and IN graceful circles
in the air.
He was humming the tune az he marched,
when Nurse Gaughan, startled and terrified,
ran across the parade towards him. She
seized the staff, and needless alike of its
magnifcencs and the stony horror of the
Drum-malor, flung it to the ground, and put
ting her arms around Boy Sladen, she lifted
his little, wasted form and bore it into
hospital.
The Colonel's quick eye had taken in the
scene, and his quick ear had caught Boy
Sladen's words. Its the last favor he'll
ever need" he muttered, and he repeated the
command.
Tile drums were beaten bravely, the GYM
balls 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 Magazine ty
permission Of Tie International Nems Co.