Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-10
TEN YEARS TRIAL 3 @ The Story of a
 Soldiers Struggle By BriEadier General
 CHARLES KING
Copyright. 1901. by Charles King.

his eyesIfo thank the God that had not left b1fn friendless in his prostration. He>heard the voices of old comrades in the room below. He heard Nelson tip toeing about. the bed, arranging lamps and books for the night Nelson had spread some blankets on a roomy old couch and was batting and shaking up a pillow, when the steward came softly In with some vials and medicine glasses.
 "Dr. Armistead says" he began in low tone, when, to his amazement, Nel- son sternly whispered, ''Hushp and, clappfng his hand over his own lips to emphasize the order, glanced in anx- ious fear toward the bed. The caution was too late. With dilating eyes, Eric Iangdon was struggling from the pill low and striving to rise
 "What is it, Eric? Lie still, man." spoke Nelson soothingly, yet command ingly, as he hastened to the bedside.
 sDoctor whoT' demanded Langdon, with menace in his tone.
 "Dr. Olmstead, man." answered Nel- son. with prompt mendacity. "Ol-m- s-t-e-a-d-0lmstead. Whats got into you besides broth and one hot Scotch? I'll give you another presently if you'll settle down and behave yourself"
 "Olmstead was not the name," was the stern answer. Don't trife with me. Nelson. You said Armistead, did you not T' he continued, whirling sharp on the steward, and that amazed and confounded compounder of drugs could only gulp and turn redder in the face.
 o. don, with full conviction. "Send that man out, and his bottles with him." he continued, turning full on Nelson again. aIve got to talk to you" And, obedi- ent to signal, the steward withdrew.
 For a moment there was dead silence. Throwing himself back on his pillow, his lean, long hands outspread on each cheek and temple, Langdon lay staring at the ceiling. Then in a sharp, almost savage, tone he demanded,i "How long has that man been at this postP N
 About a month or less. Why T
 "Becanse he or must quit it inside of 24 hours"
 Nelson stood a few seconds gazing full into the set face and gleaming eyes of his friend. Little by little he was recalling and piecing together the stories that had been whispered about Erie Langdon's pretty, volatile, reck- less wife-about her daring life in Washington while her husband was on distant duty with his battery, about the attentions and devotions of elderly reprobates in and about the capitol, men whose pockets Seemed lined with gold and whose records were scanned and lined with scandal. But there were tales of still another.l a younger man, a distant kinsmans4 a YiEginian of grand old family, boy lover in her early girlhood, man who became her shadow and sought to be her knight, for there was tale of a scene at the Shoreham cafe-a senator in his cups and strfpling doctor in all his youth ful strength and chivalry, a sneering jest between one half drunken nabob and kindred spirit and reputed rival at an adjoining table, an instant spring from third table on the part of a tall, athletic young gallant in evening dress, a stern, furious demand for immediate apology, followed by a knockdown blow that sent $5,0OO,OOO sprawling in
 
 es and glasses raining and crashing up- on him. They dragged him out cover ed with rage and lobster salad and bore him of to bed. Even in execu- tive session the story was suppressed, for there was no bar to the confirma- ton of certain appointment to the medical corps of the army. Indeed was it not whispered that the appoint ment was made at the instigation of certain senators ''to get the young man into the army and out of Washington p Nelson was not much of a repository for gossip. He listened only inpatient 1y at best and remembered but vague Iy. Net now it was all coming over him again, bit by bit, that Armistead was the hero of that exploit, that in the winter of 1884 and 1885 there was lively discussion in Washington socie- ty as to whether Armistead was there to get Mrs. Langdon into mischief or out of it. Those who knew him well and of his infatuation for her in her girl days swore stoutly that he was ever standing, between her and scan- dal- Those who hardly knew him at all, and they were 20 to 1, took the op- posite view, and those who in the least knew her had no charity for either. Until commissioned and ordered out of Washington, however, he was her shadow, as has been said. and yet it was his tribe, his own brothers, who fnstigated the proceedings that divert ed Cousin Spotts' little fortune from the maw of Mrs. Langdon to their own itching palms. And now of all places on earth here was Eric Langdon under Armistead's care and his-Nelson's- roof this, too, at a time when Lang don sorely needed rest, peace and friendly aid. By George" said Nel- son to himself, ''it is fateful!"
 But Langdon was the first to break fhe silence.
 @What is the first train back to Chi cagoY
 Seven twelve tomorrow morning Eric. But not peg do you stir till we fdraighten yeu up. pr. Bloodgood eha1I attend you, though. The other is a liver man. There's no reason you shouldn't take his medicine, dear boy. Come, now, be reasonable. You need this bromide or whatever 1t is."
 Mot dropr' was the fierce reply.