Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-26

Iuuuu HIN SICK ana starved IN Town,
and Dr. Fownes said fetch him
straight here"
Here? Man alive, this is no.
"Shut up. Bremer!" hurriedly inter-
rupted the other. at is Langdonl Why,
Eric, old boy, don't you know Nelson?
Come right in. Bring him right In
here, men," And half leading, half
bearing, they ran the dropping outcast
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 Mel
son to n youngster in battery dress,
who eagerly obeyed. Nov, Eric, swal:
low and don't say word" And the
hot liquid was absorbed in the midst of
| profound silence. "Tell me ngain the
doctors directions, corporal" said Mel
son after a moments study of the eff
feet of his potion.
'That the lootenant needed to be put
to bed and doctor wild him." was the
1rishman's rendition of the order,
/ whereat there was chuckle.
"All right. I understand. You men
did just right. Steward, give Corporal
Ryan and his comrade a 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 hear.
He says you two saved his life, and
he wants to see you when he's better.
So do I. Get n stretcher from the hos
pital and my buffalo robe and blan-
kets, Ryan. Now, we'll have you fixed
all right in five minutes, Eric, old boy.
Snipey, see If Pills is in the cardroom.
WHAT'S your hurry, Bremen? 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 glared after him a
moment and frowned. 1--WE don't need
him." he said us he turned back to
Langdon, over whom others were now
alphabetically bending Two or three
| Of the party had drawn aloof and were
comforting 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 q significant
bob Of the head. There's as much hu-
man nature and human sympathy In
that squad rs you'll find in n skin
game" muttered he to silent crony.
The latter looked grave and perturbed.
'They never knew Langdon, and they
only see the possibility Of the colonels
coming down rough on us for harbor-
ing and consorting with dismissed Of
f1cer."
Dismissed be hanged! Langdon's q
better man today, broken as he is, than
the cad who preferred the charges"
was the hot reply.
That's why Pm with you," was the
quiet rejoinder. "All 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 Jove, hold him in
higher esteem"-
"Ah, Nelson, 1t isn't all that. It's
that unpaid bill. business-all that load
Of debt that showed him under, and
:, you know It,"
"Know 1t? 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
have let him be court martialed? No,
Sir! 1t was Nathan's snide work with
that dashed old numskull of dra-
| goon-old Cat He never had the bow
els Of a snake. Find the doctor, Snip
eyY" he eagerly asked us 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 Mt 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-
CURED Of the physician an impassive
| w AlRutAStAC AAA IeiSSuIAAB .AC-
meanor. But, to the surprise Of Nelson
and Hoyt. the doctor plainly started
the instant he caught sight of the pa
tient.
"This-gentleman Isl" no faltered,
paling a trife and looking inquiringly
about him.
Eric Langdon, classmate Of Merri-
Wales at the Point and my comrade at
Monroe" answered Nelson stoutly. The
doctor was new to the post and to him,
and he wished 1t to be understood from
the start that Langdon was his friend,
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 tho ag-
gressive.
II beg pardon" quickly spoke DR..
I Armistead. "Mr. Langdon'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
/ tooh AuABuOA Mkl5I anu SuLcu
thoughtfully, scrutinizingly, unflinch-
ingly into the deep, haggard eyes.
There was moments silence. Then,
Strengthening up, the doctor spoke.
"Mr. Langdon is to be with you, Mr..
NelsonT
Certainly"
"Then I shall send the steward with
medicine from the hospital. I should
get him to bed as soon as possible
1--WE sent for stretcher. robes and
blankets" interposed Nelson sharply.
That's what ! intended to do from the
start"
Every good. Now word with you"
And the doctor drew the artllleryman
aside. your friend will need nothing
tonight but some hot broth and soda
tives. If, however, he should be rest
less or Ill or IL you become anxious"
and here the young surgeon seemed to