West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-03-31

"PARALYzEs you. Ell, MY BoYP"
! The patient had on the previous day
walked to his troops quarters, where
he was given an ovation by his com
radcs.
at is lovely warm morning,
Brown the surgeon said. "and II you
| Will walk slowly and not ovcr-excrt
| yourself you can GO and surprise tho
colonel and your little nurse with n
call. am sure they will warmly well
come you"
lie needed no second Kidding, and
leaning ON a cane for support, walked
slowly 70 the coloners quarters. On
the way hc met several officers, and
warm were the congratulations poured
upon him over his recovery. Again he
crossed tho porch ss he had done few
weeks before, but not now with fcur
md trembling.
Entering the hall he raped lightly
at the coloners door. The same sharp,
harsh Come In" greeted his ears, but
IL did not now fiji 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, ch? Once more ON your pins?
That's right. Take chair. / nm
worry glad 20 sec you"
For half an hour they conversed re-
garding his wound, his return To duty
and various other topics, but the Young
| soldiers thoughts wcrc In another
| apartment with his loved one, and he
longed 10 greet her for the first time in
her own home. Unable TO suppress
this burning desire he finally said:
''Col. Sanford, before return To tho
hospital will you not permit me TO pay
my respects TO my faithful nurse, Miss
SanfordP'
The old officers face assumed cold,
stern look and his genial air seemed 20
vanish as before an icy wind as he ro-
piled:
Private Brown, we may as well
come 10 an understanding right now.
You nobly risl<ed your life 20 restoro
my beloved child 20 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
are now at an end, and / regret that
may give you pain after NIL you suf-
fered for her II. IN doing what con-
slider 70 be a fathers duty, use harsh
Language toward you. You may think
IL cruel and heartless, sir. when toll
you that ] cannot permit her in her
own home 90 receive call from pri-
( vate soldier, NO matter how worthy
that soldier may be-"
I
words cut into his heart as knife. A
great fear cane upon him. and lie al
most groaned aloud Ia his agony OF
spirit Hc tried 20 speak. but with
| gesture the officer stopped him.
Nor, sir, hear my decree. from tho
| enforcement OF which l. VIII never
swervc jot. After this visit Private
Richard Brown viii never again be per-
mitted 70 enter this house. and shall
forbid my daughter 70 over again men
tion biz name in my presence This may
seem damnably cruel 70 you, sir, after
what you have done for IA, but there
are rules OF proprioty in army life that
cannot be disregarded My daughter
/ cannot maintain friendly relations with
q private in the ranks"
/ lie paused and regarded tho young
man closely. Brown rat ~ dumb as a
/ marble statue and almost as pale. for
his heart was completely crushed at
/ the cruol decree.
But" the colonel resumed. with a
strange twinkle ia his eyes, Lieut.
Edward Thornton will niways bc "a
welcome guest At my home. Thcre Is
I your commission. sir, you trembling
/ rascal, fresh from the hands OF the SEQ
rotary of war. Lieutenant Thornton, let
mo be the first 70 congratulate you upon
I your promotion, and 70 assure You thnth
/ you prove as faithful in tho discharge
I ~ your duties as an oidcer as Private
Brown always proved as q soldier iu
the ranks. the stars Of a general may
some day rest upon your shoulders"
As 30 spoke he handed the young
man bis Commission. end warmly
/. grasped his hand. while o grim smile
\ played over his faco.
Thornton took tho paper mechanic
| ally. ln his Wild astonishmcut nc could
I not utter word Hu stood there trcm.
bling and turning white and rcd by
turns until the old officer broke into "A
loud laugh over his embarrassment.
"paralyzos you. my boy2 just pot
I rifles y0u With amazcmcnt BY Cod
F frey, have had that document hid
away for two weeks just 20 have this
I fun with you. Never mind. lieutenant
/ ,siopPrg him Familiarity ou tha shorl-