The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-12
THE BOY OF THE BAND

told tho colonel that he was mortal
bad. " It's now Tuesday. sir, )" said the
orderly. It'll be much if he sees the
week through. =
He doesn't want for anything, docs
he:" asked the colonel
Not anything in the way of luxurios
or attention, sir, said the orderly,
whose limbs wero sore with working for
the boy. He's mortal bad or he wouldn't
be after putin me aside for the sake of
u woman.
The colonel looked curiously at tho
orderly. and why for the sake Of Il
woman?' he demanded.
That's the strange part Of it, sir"
returned the orderly. Ever since he
woke this mornin he's been asllin for q
woman-talkin of how he's never known
the love of one, an how he thinks he'd
die easier if he could have IL young 'un
All Il pretty 'un by his sido to see him
off. If Boy Sladen'll talk like that, sir
he's i'll u bad way
did no really say that?" asked the
colonel
"Thc words I've told you arc the
words he used, sir, said the orderly.
Then no shall have one" said the
colonel, and ho strobe to the orderly
room, telephoncd to the Nurses institu-
ton and i'll the tones that ne adopted
when ordering goods from the town ho
desired the lnatron to send to the bar
racks at once young and pretty nurse
for Boy Sladen of tho band. Within an
hour gentle nurse, wearing IL neat
black cloak and Il dainty bonnet, passed
the sentry OH the main guard on her way
to the hospital. The sentry stared q
moment at the apparition, then stood
bolt upright, and feeling that so unusu-
al spectacle called for unusual honor he
shouldered arms.
Nurse Gaughan stepped softly up to
the bed i'll which Boy Sladen lay and
put her cool hand on his forehead The
heavy eyelids wero raised, and Boy Sla-
den looked with dull astonishmcnt at her
face.
WHO arc you?" he asked in n feeble
voice.
I'm Nurse Gaughan, " she answered
But go to sleep again You mustn't
talk. Tho moro you keep quiet the
'O''Si y c' ~ fS'p Ntli.
Boy Sladen laughed Il curious little
laugh
Get WOLF" he echoed Not this
journey. The doctors given mo up-I
heard him tell Dennis, tho orderly, that
1t was all up with the lad He thought
was asleep, but wasn't Has the colo
mel sent for your
Nurse Ciaughan nodded
Isn't he good:" asked tho boy. cts
all because l said wanted u woman to
be near me. There aren't many colonies
who would do tho same. arc THEREOF
Nurse Gaughan shook her head. Her
knowledge of colonies was limited, and
she would have acquicsccd if the boy
had said they were AL liends
There, now, you must go TO sleep,
or I'm sure tho colonel will be angry"
she said as she mado believe to smooth
a pillow.
Then I'll try" said Boy Sladen, and
he closed his eyes.
Some flowers were on the mantel-
piece and on little table near the bed,
while on tho wall, facing Boy Sladen,
was colorod picture of gorgeous
drummer boy, upon whom host OF
phantomliko eyes from IL supposed crowd
were gazing III stony admiration. This
was the work Of Private Dennis, and no
thought Of all as nc leaned against the
married quarters and gazed dreamily at
the hospital.
Tho heart of tho hospital orderly WAS
heavy within him us he gazcd He had
been dethroned, his charge had been
taken from him, and the boy was to die
whilo i'll tho hands of strangers. Dennis
flowers were in the hospital 1t was
Dennis affection which had prompted
the idea OF tho gorgeous drummer, and
Dennis scanty funds that had bought
tho print.
Dennis sighed, for friendship rs
strong as it WAS strange had grown up
between him and the boy. The darling
wish of tho lad was to become drum
major and weld the splendid staff of
Office, and the great ambition of tho
private was to qualify for noncommis-
stoned rank. And so they helped each
other Dennis telling all he knew of mil
liary duty and Boy Sladen instructing
Dennis i'll subjects with which he had
to be familiar if he wished to get pro-
motion.
The orderly stepped softly back into
the hospital-so softly that Nurse
Gaughan, who was looking Mt tho little
patient, did not hear him, and she start
ed when she turned and saw him.
i've come back. began Dennis, "to