Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
A NATURAL SEQUENCE

" oOauicts ID sent everywhere, said
the girl wisely, land nurses, too. I'm
goin' to be nurse when grow up"
Well. I'm goin' to be soldier, sure,
cause pa said might, and when I'm
a major or colonel I'm comm back
with regiment to get yer and"
There's ma CALM. It's time to go
Eddie"
"Good-by, Blossom"
There was timid kiss and two heavy
little hearts wendell their way home
ward.
II was terrible day. The hot Cuban
sun beat mercilessly down upon the
group of tan-suited "Americanos'' lying
nat on their stomachs, creeping, creep
ing. ever nearer and nearer the thicket
where the Spanish sharpshooters lay
hidden.
Easy boys" whispered the captain;
"Jenkins' company will draw their fire
In minute"
With sigh Of relief the men lay flat.
The long rank grass cut their faces and
the. yellow sand filed their eyes and
added fresh agony to their already
parched threats. Down at the end OF
the line man was cursing because a
sharp stone had bruised his leg.
But their rest was only for moment.
Far In the rear they heard hoarse
cheer. Then a yolley OF bullets new
high over them, and was answered by
the crack, crack Of the Spanish Maus-
crs.
.'Now, boys" whispered the captain
again. Over their heads the firing was
fast and furious, but the little group
crept on, almost to the very fringe Of
the thicket.
Now! at 'em, boys" reared the cap
tain. The whole command rose to their
feet. With a Wild cheer, they rushed
forward. With hoarse oaths they threw
themselves on the sallow group Of
sharpshOOters. There was the rapid fir.
ing Of heavy revolvers, answering
shrieks Of wounded men, groans and
prayers. Out into the open air ran the
enemy. only to be shot down by Jenk.
ms men in front.
In five minutes It was all over, and
the Americans were gathering together
to count their numbers.
THAT was quick work." grunted the
lieutenant, as he wiped the powder
stains from his face. where's Ma
SOM,
where's Capt Mason?" shouted the
Z sergeant.
Here he u.s." answered a hoarse
voice, and; burly private appeared
with his arm around the captain, al
! most dragging him along.
The ofiicer's face was white, and he
said. rs he clenched his white teeth to-
gcther: II guess they've done for me,
Tom, this time"
.Nonsense." said the lieutenant,
roughly. up with him, boys; easy,
easy" and as four of the privates lifted
him to their shoulders they retraced
their way back through the long grass
to their own lines, and there, in the
shade Of the hospital tent, they tender
" laid down their burden and left him
to the care of the surgeon.
All night long they worked over him
the doctor and q sweet-faced woman
with a red cross on her arm. AS the last
bandage was fastened and the doctor
rose to 60 his rounds he said: "He
won't last till tomorrow" The nurse
said nothing, but as the tent door fiap-
ned behind him she muttered rebel
iiously: HE will last till tomorrow,
and good many more to-morrows."
Early the next morning the wound
ed man opened his eyes, to find WON.
IN bending over him. He looked I'D
s weakly and would have spoken. but she
nut her hand over his mouth, ana said.
cutie calmly: ITS only Blossom.
You're hurt, and I'm going to take care
OF you. told you I was going to be
nurse"
He smiled family, and fell into gen.
tie sleep, with her hand clasped tightly
in his.
Two days later as the fussy little doc
tor came his rounds he announced,
with considerable degree OF self sat.
isfaction: Mason is going to live, Miss
Caryill. Didn't think could pull him
through, but did after all"
The nurse smiled inscrutably. but
said nothing.
They were sitting Just inside the tent
door waiting for orders to embark on
the transport.
His right arm was stu in sling, but
his left hand valnly sought to rest on
hers, which she promptly removed.
what are you going to do when you
are mustered out Blossom" he asked.
.I'm Miss Carvill, now people are
well again." she observed, speaking to
no one in particular.
'.But am not well yet" he objected
..You are going to be. What's the mat
ter? Aren't you glad?" she demanded,
AZ his face fell.
Il don't know; that depends" he said,
significantly.
AS the girl made no answer, he went
on reminiscently: do you remember
the day left for New York? You said
we would be sure to meet again. sup
pose we ought to get married. We've
been engaged most fifteen years"
"Well, like that" gasped the girl.
$50 do l." said the man placidly;
"there might have been some one else
to marry IL had not promised you
I trst."
The girls eyes twinkled. "You said
you were going to come for me with a
regiment" she suggested.
His good arm had slipped around her
now. $50 did" he said. meditatively.
svvoll 7 sunnosA shall have IA n Won