The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-11

1 HIM and the white towers of Manila. an
other mile beyond. The pale blue clouds
| had drlfted away. In their place dense
volumes OF black smoke were beginning
( to roll skyward from three or four points
In the thronging suburb and the crackle
OF burning bamboo sounded like a dis
tant fus,lade.
They've been firing on our wounded
and ambulances from the church and ma
I've houses said the general briefly lie
was think,ng-he couldn't help it--of the
words OF two battery officers ne had
overheard a. he stood at the knoll watch
ing the triumphant advance OF his di-
vision Rodney May was the first spean-
er. anu the battery commander had heard
without either reproof or dissent
It's just what Eric said at Pawnee
ten years ago He has come steadily up
AM Nathan gone steadily down In the
good opinion OF every square man in
the regiment. Yesterday they were on
level as far as rank goes; today I'm
betting Langdon's names goes In for
brevet and Nathans won't be heard of.
Where on earth IL Colonel Nathan"
asked the brigade commander as he REIN
ed In on the Plaza under the walls OF the
great church where two companies OF the
ColLmbias were tanning their hot faces
with their broad brmmed hats. and the
men looked at each other and grinned.
W mere bh tdTtH ~ tOlOnel Natndnt
again demanded the division chief as he
ard the bricader rode through the smoke
OF blazing nipa huts from whose walls the
lurking Tngal rifles had shot down put
few moments before attendants OF the
wounded. friend and foe alike sur
geon. looking up from the stretcher over
which he was bending. ducked his head
toward distant Paco.
Away back yonder colonel You
won't find him this side OF the Concor-
dia." And the two seniors exchanged
g.ance Not until out OF range OF lis-
tcning ears was another word spoken
Then the division commander began to
free himself OF his impressions.
When the story OF this days work is
told. your ',ashoes and westerners es-
recially I.anguon. will be giorifed." said
he, but what shall be said OF Nathan"
Meanwhile Eric Langdon burned with
pa and fever under the roof where lay,
convalescing OF the wounds received early
m the first dry fight, his gHffUUt and up=
voted friend Melville. Langdon pulled
through. thanks TO native strength and
constitution and the tireless devotion and
professional skill OF the surgeon who re-
ceived him. unconscious and sore spent.
from the hands Of the hospital corps. ''Do-
Ing as well. general az we can expect
after so severe a wound was DR. Armi-
stead's almost daily report for week
But what VIII the waking boz
III YOU will permit me, DR.. Armistead,
that Is matter with which shall
charge myself. It's time Langlon knew
the truth"
And so one day when the soft sea
hreeTe was blowing In from the bay. now
studded with transports bringing the long
delayed re-enforcements as Langdon,
lay weak but once again clear headed
and craving news or his men. Melville
hobbled 10 his bedside and signaled TO
the attendant TO slip away. "Langdon
old fellow he asked as they were left
alone. feel as though you could bear
a shock today Your old division com
mander came In to say goodby while YOU
were asleep. You are named for the
medal OF honor and the brevet OF briga-
der general. | wrote the news home by
last post.f
The pale. thin face on the pillow light
ed with faint flush Of pleasure The
long slender fingers feebly clasped the
warm hand extended In greeting
How long before I can be In saddle
again." was the question framed by his
pallid lips, and the voice was but the
ghost OF that that rang Ike clarion
over the field at Santa Ana and swung
the Washoes into their magnificent
charge.
Two months or three. perhaps. and
not that possibly without sea voyage
10 Japan or run TO Australia. You had
a fearful wound. Eric. and under Coos
providence noting but the best OF sur