Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-18
rr-onvriebted 1000. by the J. Lppineott companyJ

ICopyrighted. 1900. by Il
 There were several wel1-informeo 1 and unpleasant women, maids and matrons both, in the little sisterhood but somehow "the boys" did not show such avidity to walk or chat with them as they did with Miss Ray. She l sorely wanted talk with Sandy that evening, but the Belgic had come in from Frisco only six hours before they sailed and huge bags of letters 1 and papers were transferred from her to the Sacramento.
 There were letters for Maidie and l Sandy both-several-bu there was one bulky missive for him that she knew to be from her father, from far-away Tampa, and the boy had come down late to dinner. They had seats at the table of the commanding { officer, thing Maidie had really tried to avoid, as she felt that it dis criminated, somehow, against the other nurses, who, except Mrs. Dr. | Wells, their official head, were dis l tributed about the other tables, but the major had long known and loved 1 her father, and would have it so. I lulu, he had ordered wine-glasses on the long table and champagne served, and when dinner was well-nigh over noticed for the first time that Ray had turned his glass down.
 "Why, Sandy" he cried, impulsive- I 1y, "it is just 22 years ago this sum mer that. your father made the ride of his life through the Indian lines | to save Wayne's command on the | Cheyenne. Now, there are just 22 of us here at table, and I wanted to pro- pose his health and promotion. Won't you join us?"
 The boy colored to the roots of his dark hair. His eyes half filled. He | then-back went the head with the | old, familiar toss that was so like his father, and through his set lips Sam dy brayely spoke: a
 Cant, major. swore off--to- dayl"
 "All right, my boy, that ends it!" answered the major, heartily, while l Marion, her eyes brimming, barely | touched her lips to the glass, and Ionged to be on Sandy's side of the table that she might steal hand to him in love and sympathy and sister ly pride. But he avoided even her when dinner was over, and was busy, he sent word, with troop papers down between-decks, and she felt, somehow, that that letter was at the bottom of his sudden resolution and longed to see it, yet could not ask.
 At three bells, half-past nine, she saw him coming quickly along the promenade deck, and she stopped her escort and held out detaining hand.
 You'll come and have little talk with me, won't you, Sandy?" she pleaded. ''I'll wait for you as long as you ike.'
 After I've seen Stuyyesant awhile" !" he answered, hurriedly. "He isn't so well. I reckon he must have over done it." and away he went with his springy step until he reached the forward end of the promenade. where he tapped at the stateroom door. The surgeon opened it and ad- mitted him.
 His eyes were grave and anxious when, ten minutes later, he reap peared. Norris is with him, F he said in low tone, as he looked down into the sweet, serious, upturncd face. ''He shouldn't have tried it. He fooled the doctors completely. I'll tell you more presently he added, noting that Mrs. Wells, with two or three of the band, were bearing down upon him for tidings of the invalid, and Sandy had heard-as who had not 1.-the unfavorable opinions en- tertained by the sisterhood of his luclless, new-found friend.
 s"rhe doctor says he mustn't be both-I mean disturbed-wants to get him to sleep, you know,' was his hurried and not too happy response to the queries of the three. Matter of business he wanted to ask me about, that's all," he called back, as he broke away and lodged other in- quiries.
 Once in the little box of a state room to which he and a fellow subaltern had been assigned, he bolted the door, turned on the e1ec- tric light, and took from under his pillow a packet of letters and sat him down to read. There was one from his mother, written on her way back to Leavenworth. which he bored. over intently and then reyerently kissed. Later, and for the second time, he unfolded and read the long, est letter his father had ever penned. It was as follows:
 s'I have slipped away from camp and its countless Interruptions and taken room st the hotel tonight, dear Sandy, for l want to have a long talk with my boy talk we ought to have had before, and it Is my fault that we didn't. l shrank from 1t somehow, and now am sorry for 1T.
 Your frank and manful letter, tellirg me of your severe loss and of the weak ness that followed, reached me two days ago. Your mothers came yesterday, fond IT than ever and pleading for you as only mothers can. It is e matter that has cost us all dear financially, but thanks to that loving mother, you were promptly enabled to cover the. loss and save your name. You know ard realize the sacri- fices she had to make, and she tells me that you insisted on knowing. am glad you did. my boy. am going to leave in sour hands the whole matter of repayment. "A young fellow of 70 can start In the army with many worse handicap than a debt of honor and determine tfon to Work 1t off. That steadies him. That matter really gives me less care than you thought