Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-08

into the light and warmth of the club room, scattering the group at the fire and sprawling him in deep, easy chair before the blaze. "Give me that hot Scotch of yours, Snipey," ordered Nell son to youngster in battery dress, who eagerly obeyed. "Now, Erie, swal- low and don't say a word.' And the hot liquid was absorbed in the midst of profound silence. 'Tell me again the doctors directions, corporal" said Nel- son after Q moments study of the ef- feet of his potion.
 "That the lootenant needed to be put to bed and doctor wid him." was the Irishmans rendition of the order, l whereat there was chuckle.
 "All right I understand. You men did just right. Steward, give Corporal Ryan and his comrade Q good, hot tod dy. Thank you both, men. I'll see you in the morning"
 And they were going when Langdon feebly held out his hand and whisper ed. Nelson bent to hgar.
 "He says you two saved his life, and he wants to see you when he's better. l So do I. Get a stretcher from the hos l pital and my buffalo robe and blan- kets, Ryan. Now, we'll have you fixed l all right in five minutes, Eric, old boy. Snipey, see if Pills is in the cardroom. What's your hurry, Bremen? I may want your help"
 The burly officer was again making | for the storm door. He growled some inarticulate answer and shot out into the storm. Nelson g1ared after him a | moment and frowned. "We don't need him. he said as he turned back to Langdon, over whom others were now sympathetically bending. Two or three of the party had drawn aloof and were conferring in low tones, glancing occa- sionally at the group by the fireside. Then, taking up their caps and over coats, they edged away to the door. Again Nelson glared, took silent note of their faces and gave a significant | bob of the head. There's as much hu- | man nature and human sympathy in that squad as you'll find in skin l game" muttered he to a silent crony. The latter looked grave and perturbed.
 'They never knew Langdon, and they only see the possibility of the colonePs s coming down rough on us for harbor- ing and consorting with dismissed off l ficer."
 "Dismissed be hanged! Langdon's a better man today, broken as he is, than the cad who preferred the charges" " was the hot reply.
 "That's why I'm with you," was tho quiet rejoinder. "AIl the same, men like Bremen and those doughboys will say the court declared the charges sus- tained and Langdon disgraced."
 "Disgraced for smashing that sneak Torrance? By love, hold him iD higher esteem''-
 "Ah, Nelson, it isn't all that. It's that unpaid bill business-an that load of debt that showed him under, and you know it." '
 'Know it? Yes, and know, what's more, how little he was to blame. Had | our colonel or Melville been in com mand there, do you suppose they would shave let him be court martialed? No, sirn It ashNathan's snide work with that dashed old numskull of a dra- goon-old Cat He never had the bow sels of a snake. Find the doctor, Snip | ey?" he eagerly asked as the youngster came hurrying back.
 | Coming the minute he finishes his hand,' was the answer, and, true to his word, the young army surgeon speedily | entered and came at once to the reclin- | ing figure in front of the fire. Langdon had been feebly replying to the sym- | pathetic questions of one or two asso- ciates of other days. Now, with white, drawn face and somber. eyes, he look ed up at the new arrival. Professional decorum and the tenets of his cloth re quired of the physician an impassive yet sympathetic and reassuring de- meanor. But, to the surprise of Nelson | and Hoyt, the doctor plainly lstarted the instant he caught sight of the pa tient.
 "This-gentleman is?' he faltered, paling a trifie and looking inquiringly about him.
 Erie Langdon, classmate of Merri- vale's at the Point and my comrade at Monroe" answered Nelson stoutly. The doctor was new to the post and to him, and he wished it to be understood from the start that Langdon was his friend, 1 his guest, and as such entitled to the best Fort Sheridan could give him. The doctors hesitancy and change of manner put him instantly on the az | greSsive.
 T beg pardon" quickly spoke Dr.. | Armistead. "Mr Eangdon's face was familiar. fancy have seen his pho- | tograph. But that is of no conse- | Quence. Permit me-" he continued pulling himself together with evident effort and assuming the conventional manner of the physician. He bent and took Langdon's wrist and gazed thoughtfully, scrutinizingly, undinch- ingly into the deep, haggard eyes. | There was a moments silence. Then, strengthening up, the doctor spoke. MT. Langdon is to be with you, Bfr. Nelson?'' Certainly"
 "Then I shall send the steward with l medicine from the hospital. should, get him to bed as soon as possible"- five sent for a stretcher, robes and blankets" interposed Nelson sharply. That's what intended to do from the start.'
 Every good. Now word with you" | AY1