The National tribune., 1903-05-07

ing last to Pete, who took but taste. She
set the partially filled glass ON the window
sill, to arrange his cot for him, and after
talking with him for second or so about
home and friends, told him to lie down and
sleep before dinner. She went away, leay-
ing the glass on the sill. r-...iI ...-
They were all busily engaged, when
| there was sensation, and it was an
nounced that Assistant Surgeon Brookes
and his wife had arrived.
Presently the Surgeon brought them in
and presented them-Dr. BrOokes looking
| older, quieter and meeker than when the
boys knew him; his wife, the erstwhile
| angular Miss Sophronia, attired in the
| hight of Northern fashion, with volumi-
nous skirts, much more flesh and color in
her face, and her former maidenly asperi-
| ty now replaced by OverpOwering matron-
| ly dignity.
Mrs. klegg and Maria wiped their
hands to shake hands with her,
but she looked askance at their
mental occupation, and in spite of
her husbands cordial greeting and remem-
brances of the boys, refused to unbend.
Then Mrs. Klegg and Maria flared up in
ternally, and the dove of peace was not
| likely to find congenial nest in the house
occupied by the women.
Now, girls" said Mrs. Klegg, turning
away rather abruptly from Mrs. Brookes,
Its II o'clock, and we've got dinner about
ready. You can run in and talk to the
boys little while"
They needed no second bidding, but as
| soon as they could tidy themselves up
trifle were where they had been longing
to go.
ST and Shorty were both wide-awake by
this time, and eagerly watching for them
20, 81, when is the time coming when
we can be together all we want to-" muir
INJURED Annabel, taking her seat beside Sis
cot, and caressing his head and face with
her soft hand.
"Purty soon, now, Annabel I'm getting
better every minute, since you've come,
dear, and the wars about over. Don't
think III ever allow you to get out of my
sight them
Il won't want to- sighed Annabel.
well, Will, how are you getting
alongT inquired Maria, taking Shorty's
hand, and giving it an affectionate squeeze.
"a thousand times better since you
came ill.," answered Shorty, CALAMITY.
why didn't you come long ago? I've been
looking my eyes fairly out of my head
watching for YOU"
II know you have" she laughed teasing
ly. Il came around here awhile ago to see
you. and you We're fast asleep"
Now, Maria eXpostulated Shorty.
'Fact. Didn't ever suppose you'd act
tuat way WHEN u come InOuSanQ miles
to see you, and had to go to the President
himself to get leave. Tain't many girls
that'd do that for a man who'd lie around
and sleep all day."
He looked SO speechlessly hurt that she
relented.
"Oh, Will, I was just funning. I'm very
glad you could sleep. It's what we want
you to do, whenever you can"
You said something about marrying,
this nornipO " no hauan hrnI-apI,,
you mean it,"
Il haven't been asked yet" she an
swered, with n return of her old teasing
manner. when anybody really and ser
iously proposes to me I'll give the matter
my sober consideration.
maria Klegg, will your
A howl from Pete broke out on the
Spring air.
20, my gracious, I've got the awfulest
pain under my belt. What in the world
the matter with me? 1t must be that stuff
1 drunk"
whats the matter with that brat,
now?" inquired Shorty savagely. 'Never
see such boy"
whats that you drunk, Pete?' ner-
had come out to look for his glass, and |
was frightened to find it empty.
Some stuff that was in that glass;" an
swered Pete. st looked nice, and I was
thirsty, and thought it was put there for
me. and drunk it all up"
Drank it all up?" shouted the Hospital |
Steward, paling with fear. "Why, boy,
you've taken enough laudanum to kill a |
half dozen men. Here, DIR. Brookes, DR..
Brookes, this boy has swallowed more
than an ounce of laudanum."
"Great goodness" exclaimed the As
sistant Surgeon, interrupting his leisurely
study of the patients. "Steward, rush in
there and get that stomach pump. One Of
you pull off that boys stockings. and begin
padding his feet. Paddle 'em hard. Make