The National tribune., 1901-12-05

Where there is will there is a way
Yes, but | have, no will; l have only
a desire said l, gloomily.
We'll" said the Doctor, II have will
enough for both of rs and to spare"
You mean to say that you can get
me leave of absence?"
Wait and see. When the time comes
there will be no trouble. unless things
change very greatly meanwhile"
| l bade my friends. goodnight and went
back to my hut The weather was mild.
My way was over hills and hollows, max
ing me walk somewhat carefully: but l
did not walk carefully enough STUN
bled and fell, and bruised my back.
The next day | was on camp guard.
The weather was intensely cold. \ bit
ter wind from the north swept the Mary
land hills; snow and rain and sleet fell,
all together For two hours, alternating
with four hours relief, | passed my beat
back and forth; at g O'clock when | was
finally relieved, l was wet to the skin.
When | reached my quarters, | went to
bed at once and fell into Il half sleep.
Some time i'll the forenoon | found DR..
Khayme bending over me. with his hand
ON my temples.
You have had too much of it," said he.
/ looked up ut him and tried to speak,
but said nothing Great pain followed
every breath. My back seemed on fire.
The Doctor wanted to remove me to
his own hospital tent, but dreaded that
| was too i'll. Yet there was no privacy,
the hut being occupied by four men. DR..
Khayme found means to get rid of all
my meSsmates except Willis; they were
crowded into other quarters. The Sur
geOn of the 11th had given the Doctor
free course.
For two weeks Willis nursed me faith
fully. DR.. Khayme came every day-on
some days several times. Lydia never
came.
One bright day, near the end of Feb
ruary, | was placed in litter and borne
by four men to the Doctors hospital tent.
My father came. This was the first time
he and DIR. Khayme met. They became
greatly attached.
My progress toward health was now
rapid. Willis was with me whenever he
was not on duty. The Doctors remedies
gave way to simple care, in which Lydia
to me at times-but for short times, as
the Doctor forbade my prolonged atten-
ton. | was not quite sure that Lydia
was doing me good; | liked the sound Of
her voice, yet when she would cease read
ing | felt more nervous than before, and
| could not remember what she had read.
SO far as | could see, there was no un-
yet it was very seldom that l saw them
together.
One evening, after the lamps were
lighted, my father told us that he would
return home on the next day. Jones is
in good hands," said he, "and my bust
ness demands my care; l shall always
have you i'll remembrance, Doctor; you
have saved my boy
The Doctor said nothing. | was sit
ting up in bed, propped with pillows and
blankets.
The Doctor has always been kind to
me, Father" said /; 'ever since he re-
ceived the letter you wrote him in
Charleston he has been my best friend"
The letter | wrete him? l don't re-
member having written him a letter."
said my father. SO
you have forgotten. Father" said L;
you wrote him letter in which you told
him that you We're sure he could help
me. The Doctor gave me the letter;
have 1t at home, somewhere"
The Doctor was silent, and the sub
ject was not continued.
Conversation began again, this time
concerning the movements and battles in
the West The Doctor said: Zones. the
news has been kept from you. On Feb
6, Gen. Grant captured Fort Henry, which
success led 10 days later to the surrender
Of Buckner's army at Fort Donelson."
''rhe 9th of February, you say?" l al
most cried; that was the last time | saw
you before l got sick; on that very day
you talked about Grants coming sue
cessesr
1T did not need any great foresight
for that" said the Doctor
''You said that Grant had the navy to
help him, and that he certainly would not
fall
And it was the navy that took Fort
Henry" said my father.
On the day following that on which my
father left us, | was sitting in a folding
chair, trying TO read for the first time
since my illness began.
DIR. ,Khayme entered, with n paper in
his hand. We'll go, my boy" said he;
well go at once and avoid the crowd"
GO where. Doctor?"
''To Fort Monroe" said he
Go to Fortress Monroe, and avoid the
crowd?"
Yes, We'll 60"
What are we going there for?"
Don't you remember that | thought of
going there?"
When was it that you told me, Doc
tori"
"on the night before you became i'll,
told you that if Gen. Mcclellan could
have his way, he would transfer the
army TO Fort Monroe. and advance on
Richmond by the Peninsuar route"
Yes, | begin to remember"
'Well, President Lincoln has yielded
" 'itH. -lCNItll'lI y uIStHl ,
the movements will be begun as soon as
transportation can be provided for such
an operation; it will take weeks yet"
And you are going to move down
there"
'Yes, before the army moves; this is
your written authority to go with me;
don't you want to go?'
Yes, that j do" said I.
''The Spring is earlier down there by
at least two weeks" said the Doctor;
"the change will mean much to you; you
will be ready for duty by the time your
regiment comes"
Lydia was not in the tent while this
conversation was going on, but she came
in soon afterward, and l was glad to see
that she was certainly pleased with the
prospect of moving. Her eyes were
brighter. She began at once to get to-
gether some loose things, although we had
several days in which TO make our prep
arations. l could not keep from laughing
at her; at the same time | felt that my
amusement was caused by her willingness
to get away for a time from the army,
rather than by anything else.
so you are in a hurry to get away"
I said.
Il shall be glad to get down there"
she replied, 'and | have the habit of
getting ready graduallE when we move. Ii
saves worry and fuster when the time
comes" Her face was, very bright.
That is the longest speech you have
made to me in n week." said l.
She turned and looked full at me; then
her expression changed to severity, and
she went out. q Hl4