The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-03-14

but asked for no help through Wash
ington.
"'TwiM break the old mans heart"
thought he, when the truths known"
Little DR.. May, who was known to
officers and men alike, so Immediately
appropriate was the nickname, as the
"Kid," was then the contract surgeon.
or "citizen DOCTOR" attached to the
post He was smoking his last pipe be-
fore turning In one night when q knock
came to the outer door of his quarters.
Opening it, the light Of the lamp fell
upon Spud Murphy's face.
Doctor" said the dog robber quiet
ly, Lieutenant Owens almighty bad
Will We come and see him?'
The Kid put away the lamp, asked
some questions, put a few things in
his pockets and stepped off to Owens
quarters at the end Of the row, some
what isolated from the rest. Owen
had the house all to himself. Spud
followed five PAGES behind, as was
seemly. At the house he gained on
the doctor and spoke hesitatingly.
Doctor, yen soon see for yerself,
and it's no use lyin about it. If-if
it's not against the rules and regula-
tons, will we keep it to yerself? It's
drink"
Dr. May whirled on his heel and
stared at the man. No one had ever
seen Lieutenant owen drink. lie whirl-
ed again and entered, and Spud Muir
ply followed him.
On the edge of the bed sat the un-
happy young officer, shaking horribly,
while great drops of persplration
trickled down his cheek. His face was
ashen. His eyes were full of pitiful
horror.
Doctor" he cried and tottered to
the Kid, save mel For Gods sake.
save mew
The clean shaven, plump rosiness Of
the Kids cheeks were in strong con-
trast to the gray leanness of Owens.
AS great was the difference between
his cool firmness and Owens horrible
unstrung condition.
Get back into bed" said the doc
tor, land tell me what all this is
about"
Then followed a wretched, CHASTITY
scene as the young officer, with shak-
ing voice and weak tears chartered in
coherently. He told of his last year at
West Point, where the vice had got
hold firmly of him; how he had escap-
ed detection marvelously and how,
when on his leave after graduation. he
had let himself go. He had hoped the
new life on the plains would help him
to freedom, but-Spud Murphy alone
knew. Of the hopeless lonely fight In
the bachelors quarters.
He kept on crying, "Save me. doctor;
save meY'
The doctor spoke to Spud, who stood
off in the shadows, watching Owen
with a curious mingling on his broad
face Of pity, sorrow, contempt and
shame.
HAS he been like this beforeT the
Kid asked.
Twice" said Spud. mot SO bad,
but I've had the worst time keepin it |
dark. Tonight l was sure he was aus
gespieled, so gives the thing up, and |
| goes for We. See?"
Suddenly the man in the bed rose I'D |
with screech, his eyes rejecting hor-
ror. Instantly Spud pounced on him
and clapped hand on his mouth that
the sound might not penetrate I'M
friendly ears. He and the Kid held
the maniac down until the paroxysm
passed. Then May took a syringe from
his pocket, filled it and barred his pa
TENTS arm.
Murphy" he said after awhile when
The injection was taking effect, "why
have you said nothing of this?
Sure, sir" Murphy continued, "he
was once like little brother to me
when he was a kid in our ward.
Twould be eternal disgrace to his old
nan, that's goin to be our senator.
md to all the boys and to my father
md to me if he was bobtailed-that is.
got the g. b., him bein officer and
See? We think the world
If the Owenses. See?"
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