The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-22

word. And the hot liquid was absorbed
in the midst OF profound silence. Tell
poral." said Nelson after moments
study OF the effect OF his potion.
That the bootenant needed to be put
to bed and a doctor wild him." was the
Irishman's rendition OF the order whereat
there was q chuckle.
All right i understand You men uid'
just right. Steward, give Corporal Ryan
and hts comrade a good, hot toddy.
Thank you both men. I'll see you I'm the
morning"
And they were going when Langdon
feebly held out his hand and whispered.
Nelson bent TO hear,
He says you two saved his life. anu
he wants TO see you when he's better So
do /. Get a stretcher from the hospital
and my buffalo robe and blankets. Ryan.
Now, We'll have you fixed all right IN
five minutes, Eric. old boy. Snipey, see
II Pills is in tne cardroom. What's your
hurry. Bremer2 j 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 mo-
ment and frowned. I'VE don't need him."
he said as he turned back TO Langdon,
over whom others were now sympatheti-
cally bending. Two or three OF the party
had drawn aloof and were conferrfng I'm
group by the fireside. Then, taking up
their caps and overcoats. they edged
away TO the door. Again Nelson glared
took silent note OF their faces and gave
n significant bob OF the head. There's
as much human nature and human sym
pahty in that squad and you'll find IN a
skin game, muttered heto a silent crony
The latter looked grave and perturbed
They never knew Langdon. and they
only see the possibility oI the colonels
coming down rough on US for harbor-
Ing and consorting with a dismissed or
fcer"
Dismissed be hanged. Langdon's
better man TO-DAY. broken as he is, than
the cad who preferred the charges" was
the hot reply.
THAT'S why I'm with you" was the
quiet rejoinder. "All the same, men ike
Bremen and those doughboys will say
the court declared the charges sustained
and Langdon disgraced."
"Disgraced for smashing that sneak
Torrance. BY Jove. hold him In higher
esteem
"Ah. Nelson. It ISN'T all that It's that
unpaid bill business-all that load of debt
that showed him under. and you know
IT,"
Know Il? Yes. and know, what's
more. how little he was to blame Had
our colonel or Melville been In COM
msnd there, do you suppose they would
have let him be court martialed2 No,
sirl 1t was Nathan's snide work with that
dashed old numskull OF a dragoon-old
Cat He never had the bowels or
snake. Find the doctor. Sn.pey?" he
eagerly asked as the youngster came
hurrying back.
Coming tho minute he finishes mis-
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. Iangdon
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 looked
up at the new arrival. Professional de-
corum and the tenets of his cloth re-
quired the physician an impassive yet
sympathetic and reassuring demenor
But. to the surprise OF Nelson and Hoyt,
the doctor plainly started the instant he
caught sight OF the patient.
This gentleman is2' he faltered paling
trihe and looking inQuiringly about
him.
Eric Langdon, a classmate OF Merrf-
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 IL 10 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 the aggressive.
II beg pardon" quickly spoke DR..
Armistead. Mr.. Langdons face was ia
miliar. i fancy I have seen his photo
graph. But that Is OF no consequence
Permit me-" he continued. pulling himself
together with evident effort and assuming
the conventional manner OF the physi-
clan. He bent and took Langdon's wrist
and gazed thoughtfully. scruunizingly,
unfinchingly into the deep. haggard
eyes There was moments silence.
Then, Strengthening up. the doctor spoke
Mr.. Langdon Is to be with you. Mr.. Mel
son?'
Certainly"
Then l shall send the steward with
medicine from the hospital. l should get
him TO bed as soon as possible
I've sent for ostretcher, robes and
blankets" interposed Nelson sharply.
That's what intended TO do from the
start"
"Very good. Now n word with you"
And the doctor drew the artilleryman
aside. Your friend will need nothing to-
night but some hot broth and sedatives.
II. however, he should be restless or ill or
II you become anxious" and here the
young surgeon seemed TO hesitate in en-
barrassment, '1 suggest your calling on
Major Bloodgood, my senior"
You consider II so serious7' asked Mel
son In quick alarm
NO" was the answer. but
But what, DIR. Armistead1' asked Nell
son hotly. Am I TO understand you de-
cline to see my friend and guest7'
The doctor flushed. lie was Virgin
ian, Jealous In honor" sensitive 10 n
turn. Ii was a moment before he spoke
Then the answer came calmly enough.
"No. Mr.. Nelson. but your friend Will
probably decline 10 see me. Here comes
the stretcher." And so saying the doctor
left the room.
Half an hour later. IN Nelson's own
bed. comforted with a hot footbath and
nourishing food. Langdon closed his eyes
10 thank the God that had not left him
friendless I'm his prostration. He heard the
voices Of old comrades In the room below.
lie heard Nelson tiptoeing about the bed.
arranging lamps and books for the night.
Nelson had spread some blankets on n
roomy old couch and was patting and
shaking up n pillow. when the steward
came softly In with some Walls and med
icine glasses.
"Dr. Armistead says" he began in low
tone. when. 90 his amazement Nelson