Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-29

l had overheard as he stood at the knoll watching the triumphant advance of
 his division. Rodney May was the
 first speaker, and the battery com
 mander had heard without either re- | proof or dissent.
 l Its just what Eric said at Pawnee l ten years ago. He has come steadily
 up and Nathan gone steadily down in the good opinion of every square man
 in the regiment. Yesterday they were
 on level as far as rank goes; today I'm betting Langdon's name goes in for | brevet and Nathan's won't be heard of"
 Where on earth is Colonel Nathan" asked the brigade commander as he refined in on the Plaza under the walls of the great church where two compa- l nies of the Columbias were flaming | their hot faces with their broad brim- med hats, and the men looked at each other and grinned.
 Where on earth is Colonel Nathan ?, | again demanded the division chief as he and the brigadier rode through the smoke of blazing nipa huts from whose walls the lurking Tagal rifles had shot | down but a few moments before at i tendants of the wounded, friend and foe alike. A surgeon, looking up from the stretcher over which he was bend ing, ducked his head toward distant Paco.
 Away back wonder, colonel. You won't find him this side of the Concor- dia." And the two seniors exchanged glances. Not until out of range of lis- tening ears was another word spoken. Then the division commander began to free himself of his impressions.
 ''When the story of this days work is told, your Washoes and westerners, especially Langdon, will be glorified, , said he, ''but what shall be said of Ma thanH
 Meanwhile Erie Langdon burned with pain and fever under the roof where lay, convalescing of the wounds received early in the first days fight, his gallant and devoted friend Melville. Langdon pulled through, thanks to na- tive strength and constitution and the tireless devotion and professional skill of the surgeon who received him, un- conscious and sore spent, from the hands of the hospital corps. Doing as well, general, as we can expect after so severe wound" was Dr. aArmistead's almost daily report for week. But what will the waking be?''
 "If you will permit me, Dr. Armi- stead, that is matter with which I shall charge myself. It's time Lang don knew the truth"
 And so one day when the soft sea breeze was blowing in from the bay, now studded with transports bringing the long delayed re-enforcements, as Langdon lay, weak, but once again clear headed and craving news of his men, Melville hobbled to his bedside and signaled to the attendant to slip away. "Langdon, old fellow" he ask ed as they were left alone, feel as though you could bear shock today? Your old division commander came in to say goodby while you were asleep. You are named for the medal of, honor, and tile brevet of brigadier general. I wrote the news home by last post"
 The pale, thin face on the pillow lighted with faint flush of pleasure. The long, slender fingers feebly clasp ed the warm hand extended in greet ing.
 "How long before can be in saddle again?' was the question framed by his pallid lips, and the voice was but the ghost of that that rang like clae. ion over the field at Santa Ana and swung the Washoes into their magnif- cent charge.
 1.-Two months or three, perhaps, and not that possibly without a sea voyage to Japan or run to Australia. You had fearful wound, Eric, and under Gods providence nothing but the best of surgeons and constitutions saved, you. Dr. Meade is looking after you now that all is going so well, but for two weeks, lad, it was nip and tuck, and have you any idea who-who pull ed you throughY'
 Langdon's eyes spoke negation and inquiry both.
 "Dr. Armistead, Erie" asSs
 The patient half rose on his pillow, no faint flush this time on his brow, but Melville's hand at once rebuked and restrained him.
 There's story you ought to hear, Langdon, and it is one I'll vouch for. Shut your eyes and lie quiet now, for I'm going to tell it.'
 And so in faqaway Manila, with his medal of honor in sight, as 1t were, and his soldier ambition we'll nigh fully realized, the wounded soldier heard from the lips of his best and stanchest friend the tale of Armistead's real re- lations with the woman who, bearing Langdon's name, had so nearly wreck ed his life. The early boyish infatua- tion of the young Virginian was not concealed. The lad well nigh worship ed His pretty, frivolous kinswoman and had endowed her with mental gifts and moral attributes that only with matur- ing years he found fictitious, and still, like n knight of old; he had stood be- tween her and temptation, had striyen manfully to lead her to the light and l interpose between her and the sting of l scandal The true story of the encoun- ter at the Shoreham Langdon heard at last and hid his face in sorrow and con- trition. He had so easily believed i'll of Armistead, he had so utterly mis- judged him! I
 Ask him toto come to me--in day or two, will you, general?" he said, faintly pressing Melville's hand. T need to think over this. It is all-so