The National tribune., 1902-01-02
you one thing: I snail not hinder you; I'll

Not exactly that, but very nearly. Y0r
have no right to expect me to say to any
! body that Miss Lydia does not attract mo
and 1t would be silly, preSumptuOuS. con
ccited in me to yield what have not.
can tell you this: / have not spoken 5
word 10 Miss Lydia that | would moi
speak 10 any woman, or TO any man fol
that matter, and l can say that / have
not one degree of claim upon her.
Then you will keep out of my way?'
Il repeat that / am not in your way
If l should say that / will keep out OF
your way, l would imply what is not true;
the young lady is absolutely free so far
as i am concerned
At this point the Doctor came up. He
shook hands with Willis and went into his
tent: l urged Willis TO follow, but he
would not. / offered to lead the conver-
satlon into the matter in which he was 50
greatly interested, but he would not con-
sent.
The Doctor reappeared. Lydia will
be here tonight he said
~ on surprise me, Doctor"
Yes: but / am now pretty sure that
we shall be here for week to come. and
we shall not move our camp before the
rear division moves. Lydia will find
enough to do here"
Willis soon took his leave. I accom-
panied him for a short distance; on part
ing with him l told him that he might ex-
pect to see me again at night.
What, said he; you are going to
leave the DOctor?'
Yes / replied; "expect me tonight"
Willis looked puzzled; he did not know
what to say, and said nothing.
When | entered the Doctors tent I
found him busily writing. He looked up,
then went on with his work. Presently,
Stli continuing to write, he said $50 Viii
lis is angry"
Why do you say so, Doctor?"
"Anybody could have seen it in his man
ner,' said he
l tried to evade. "He was out OF
Sorts" said I.
What does out of sorts mcan:" asked
the Doctor. Then. before l could reply.
he continued: Il have often thought of
that expression; it is a good one: it means
to say gloomy, depressed. mentally unwcll.
physically i'll perhaps. Yes, Willis is out
of sorts. Out of sorts means mixed. un-
CLASSIFIED, unasSOrted, having ones func-
tons diSOrdercd. One who cannot separ-
ate his functions distinctly is unwell and.
necessarily, miserable. Willis showed
signs of dementia; his brain is not acting
right. | think l can cure him."
L said nothing. In the Doctors tone
there was not a shade of sarcasm.
He continued: Perfect sanity would be
impossible to predicate of any individual;
doubtless there are perfectly sane persons,
that is, sane at times. but to find them
would be like finding the traditional
needle. suppose our good friend Willis
would rank higher than the average, after
all is said"
Willis is good soldier" said I, "and
Il good Sergeant"
eyes, no doubt he is; he ought to know
that he is just the man for a soldier and
Sergeant, and be content"
Now, Of course. I knew that DR..
khayme, by his clear knowledge of nn.
ture. not TO say more, was able to read
Willis; but up to this time had not sns
nected that Willis's homes in regard to
LYDIA had alarmed or offended my learned |
friend; SO l continued to beat round the |
subject.
.''I cannot see," said ], "why Willis
might not aspire TO a commission. If tho |
war continues. there will be many chances |
for promotion"
The war will continue" he said. "and |
Willis may win a commission. The differ
ence between a Lieutenant and n Ser
geant is greater in pay than in qualifica.
ton; in fact, n good Orderlv-Sergeant is
\ rarer man than good Captain. Let
Willis have his commission. Let that be
his ambition, if he persists in numbering
people"
The Doctor was yet writing busily. |
wondered whether his words were intend
ed as hint for me 20 speak to Willis: Of
course | could do nothing of the kind.
felt that this whole affair was very deli
cate. Willis had gone SO far as 10 make
me infer that he was very much afraid
Df me; why? Could it be possible that
ne saw more than / could see? No. that
was suggestion of mere vanity: he sim
ply dreaded DR.. khayme's wel-kHown
nartlality for me: he feared, not me- but
the Doctor. / was uneasy ! examined
myself; | thought of my past conduct in
regard to lydia. and found nothing TO
condemn. / had been rather more dig
must preserve this distance.
"Doctor.' said ]. ''good-by till tomor-
'ow; ! shall stay with the company to-
He looked up. "You will see Willis?o
yes, sir; l suppose so'
You might saw to him. if you think
yell, that | thought he left US rather
.bruptly today, and that l don't think he
$ very WELL
Il hope to see you again tomorrow, Doe
Very well, my boy: good-by till tomor- 5
ow: you will find me here by 10 o'clock"
When | reached the company | did not 4,
zee Willis; he was off on duty somewhere.
IN the next morning. however. he came ,
n, and everything passed in the friend, !
lest way possible, at first. Evidently he
vas pleased with me for abscnting myself
rom Lydia. But he soon learned that I !
vas TO return to the Sanitary Camp and j
lis cOuntenance changed at once. I
What am ! to think Of yOu?' he asked. '
II trust you will think well of me- / =.
eplicd; 81 am doing you no wrong. You :
re not well. The Doctor noticed il" L
He said that | was not well:" ,,
"Yes." I
"Well, he is wrong for once: am as 7
Tell as | ever was in my life"
He SAID you left very suddenly yester-
ay" t
81 suppose ! did leave suddenly; but I
aw no reason 10 remain longer"
willis" said !, ''lct us talk seriously. '
Why do you not speak to Miss Lydia and 1
er father? Why not end this matter one d
yay or the Other?" a
Il haven't seen Miss Lydia since you Il
.ft us in February" said he; chow can Il
speak to her?'
But you can speak TO DIR. Khayme." e
Yes ! could speak to DIR. Khayme but .
don't consider him the one to speak to G
rst, and to tell you the truth I'm afraid
it. It's got to be done, but / feel that II
nave no chance; that's what's hurting g
le."
'Then I'd have it over with as soon as !
Ossible." said I. n
That's easier said than done; but I u
ltend to have it over; it's doing me no !!
Ood. | wish I'd never seen her"
Why don't you writc?"
give thought OF that, but concluded G
wouldn't. 1t looked cowardly not to d d,
ace the music" 81
''My dear fellow" said /, there is no v
li.a in Of oil ,lt !