Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-04

are your paymastcrs commissaries,
quartcrnasters - fellows that never
heard hostile bullet whistle or saw
/ the smoke Of battle-lots Of 'cm. You
cell them captain or MAJOR as though
they were soldiers but you snub, by
God. the one staff corps that never
leaves the fighting line when the fight
ing begins.
Now, the surgeon had come but lately
to Ransom. lie had served but u few
weeks with the --th, yet Truscott and
Ray had discovered his scnsitivoness and
gladly hailed him as colonel Blake
promptly followed suit, but when Main
waring heard it Mainwaring bristled
"What rights a Id doctor to ex-
poet to be called anything but DOCTOR"
he asked explosively, and he no more
meant to be offensive or thought he
could be considered offensive in his
language than did the doctor in claim
ing recognition as a soldier And then,
as Mainwaring pridcd himself on "nev-
or saying behind fellow : back what
he wouldn't say to his face, " and tho
Lord only knew what he hadn' said to
peoples faces--what did the major do,
only that very day, but, III attempted
POPULARITY, pitch into the post surgeon
at the morning gathering of the officers
and try to chaff him about wanting to
be called colonel 1t stung the honest
old soldier surgeon to the quick. 1t hurt
him sore, and he left the room dis
gusted.
And so, when from the lips Of this
tall trooper came the title he valued,
the post surgeon fairly blushed, for he
had been thinking intently over tho
events Of the morning, and, if the truth
must be told, was wondering how he
could get square with Major Mainwar-
ing and here was possible opportunity.
Obedent to his superior's nod. the
hospital steward went out, closing the
door behind him.
, What is it, Hunter" asked the sur.
geon kindly.
II have come to ask, sir if it would
be possible for me to return to my troop
. tonight, and if the colonel could aid mo
, in any way to get furlough of 20 or
: 30 days.
: Colonel Cornell looked up, perplexed,
? even troubled. Both requests were I'M
, usual from old soldiers and never heard
5 of from recruits.
r II fear not, Hunter. You see, there
are reasons why you ought not to at
{ tempt to return to duty yet, and what
can you allege as reason for a Through
. so soon after enlistment:'
, urgent personal affairs, sir " was
r the answer, half smile twitohing an
Q tho corners Of the handsome mouth.
4 Inv
know"
, Hunter, " said the surgeon after q
! moments pause, "be advised by me.
o Don't think Of going back to duty for
Q two or three days yet and don't let any
+, one know you wish to leave Ransom on
j, any account just now"
0 For "a moment there was silence. The
soldier still remained respectfully at at
tention, standing close to the door. The
surgeon had spoken impressively, ear
s nestly, significantly, and Hunter could
o not but notice it, could not but realize
: that behind it there was some urgent
g meaning or reason, yet he persisted.
V Il hope the colonel will pardon me, "
g he said. Il will not refer TO the fur
IS Tough again until can explain more
/ luIlyi w HiII " ia bc pboSAD4C dAbtL
- have talked with Captain Ray, but as
d to returning TO the troop, | beg that L
e may not be detained here through-an-
O other morning"
j. The surgeon was seated in a wicker
V bottom office chair, which he twisted
G round, and so squarely faced his visitor,
d looking keenly yet not unkindly into
S the pale, handsome face. 1t was mo-
!. ment before he spoke.
d Il thought you greatly appreciated
= those morning readings, said he at
n last. I'm sure the young lady has done
l. very much to make hospital life bear
Il able.
1t was Hunters turn to color, but
% before he could speak he had to spring
aside Into the outer hall came banging
e burly form enwrapped in cavalry cir
cular "Where's DR.. Connell:' brusque-
% ly demanded loud, unmodulated voice.
h Then, slap bang, with all his character
|, stic impetuosity, Mainwaring burst in
IT to the room.
v Direct as ever, never noting or caring
IT who was present he went straight to
@ the point, Hello, docl' said he, loud,
d gruff, yet hearty. Just the man | m
% looking for Say, Truscott tells me
70 hurt your feelings this morning, and
1t I've come to 'pologize. | didn't mean
le id thing. It's all right. If you
!. want to be called colonel, why, colonel
Is it shall be- I'll issue orders calling the
h attention of the whole command to it,
ID if you like,
q. And then for the first time he became
la aware of the tall soldier now irving to